Brand Field Specialist - Michigan

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Brand Field Specialist - Michigan

🔹 Company: Sumitomo Rubber North America Inc.

🔹 Location: Michigan - Michigan

🔹 Job Type: Other

🔹 Category: Motor Vehicle Manufacturing

🔹 Date Posted: July 9, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Engaging with prospective and existing dealers within an assigned territory
• Focusing on signing new associate dealers and ensuring proper merchandising
• Building relationships with local distributor sales representatives and internal staff
• Gathering market intelligence and continuously seeking improvements

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of travel (80% of the time) and involves working in various environments, including off-road locations and inclement weather.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Solution Selling: Identify, engage, and close deals with prospective clients by providing tailored solutions to their business needs.

✅ Program Sales: Achieve sales goals by signing new associate dealers within the assigned territory.

✅ Customer Support: Provide ongoing updates to associate dealers regarding program changes, new products, and other relevant information.

✅ Sales Presentations: Develop and deliver compelling presentations to prospective associate dealers.

✅ Problem Resolution: Identify market opportunities and efficiently resolve challenges.

✅ Dealer Development: Expand and strengthen the dealer and distributor network.

✅ Relationship Building: Foster strong relationships with dealers, distributors, and internal teams through effective communication.

ASSUMPTION: This role involves frequent travel and requires the ability to work independently and manage time effectively.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: A bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business Management, or a related field from an accredited college is preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience: Two to Three (2-3) years of experience in a sales field, preferably in the automotive or tire industry.

Required Skills:

• Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal)
• Excellent presentation and interpersonal skills
• Organized, deadline-driven, detailed-oriented, self-motivated, and able to work independently
• Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint)

Preferred Skills:

• Automotive retail experience
• Strategic sales and planning skills
• Territory management skills

ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, proficiency in Spanish may be beneficial for this role due to the diverse market in Michigan.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $72,800.00 - $85,280.00 Base+Commission/year. The salary range listed is the total compensation that includes base salary and potential monthly commission, with further details to be discussed during the interview process.

Benefits:

• Not specified in the job description

Working Hours: Full-time, with extensive travel required (80% of the time).

ASSUMPTION: Benefits may include health insurance, retirement plans, and other standard employee benefits, as the company is a mid-sized organization with a commitment to automotive excellence.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Sumitomo Rubber North America is a subsidiary of Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd., focusing on manufacturing high-quality tires for cars, trucks, and motorcycles. The company is committed to automotive excellence and has a strong international presence within the automotive industry.

Company Size: 201-500 employees. As a mid-sized company, applicants can expect a more personal work environment with opportunities for growth and development.

Founded: The company was founded in Japan in 1983 and introduced to the North American market in 1985.

Company Description:

• Sumitomo Rubber North America comprises both Falken Tires and Dunlop Motorcycle Tires.
• The company has developed a strong international presence within the automotive industry, earning a reputation as a leader in high performance tire technology.
• Falken Tires manufactures and markets various car and light-truck tire models, serving nine distinct categories and more than 300 sizes.
• Dunlop Motorcycle Tires focuses on developing innovative motorcycle tire technology and maintains extensive development and manufacturing capabilities in the U.S.

Company Specialties:

• Manufacturing high-quality tires for cars, trucks, and motorcycles
• Building valuable partnerships with automobile manufacturers as their choice for original equipment tires
• Involvement in motorcycle racing at the highest levels, both nationally and internationally

Company Website: Sumitomo Rubber North America

ASSUMPTION: The company's commitment to automotive excellence and racing disciplines worldwide indicates a focus on innovation, quality, and continuous improvement.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is an entry to mid-level position within the sales department, offering opportunities for growth and development within the company.

Reporting Structure: The Brand Field Specialist reports directly to the Sales Manager and works closely with local distributor sales representatives and internal staff.

Work Arrangement: This is an on-site position with extensive travel requirements (80% of the time). The role involves working in various environments, including off-road locations and inclement weather.

Growth Opportunities:

• Expanding the dealer and distributor network
• Developing market intelligence and presenting findings to internal teams
• Potential career progression within the sales department or other areas of the business

ASSUMPTION: As a mid-sized company, Sumitomo Rubber North America offers opportunities for growth and development, with a focus on internal promotions and career progression.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: The primary office is located in Rancho Cucamonga, California, with frequent travel required to the assigned territory in Michigan.

Office Location(s): 8656 Haven Ave, Rancho Cucamonga, California 91730, US

Geographic Context:

• Michigan offers a diverse market with various automotive and tire industry opportunities
• The state has a strong automotive industry presence, with numerous dealerships and distributors
• Michigan's climate and terrain may require working in various weather conditions and off-road locations

Work Schedule: Full-time, with extensive travel required (80% of the time). The role involves working in various environments, including off-road locations and inclement weather.

ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be comfortable with extensive travel and working in various environments, as this is a significant aspect of the role.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screening
• In-person or virtual interview with the Sales Manager
• Background check and reference verification
• Job offer and onboarding

Key Assessment Areas:

• Sales skills and experience
• Communication and presentation skills
• Problem-solving abilities
• Adaptability and resilience
• Cultural fit and alignment with company values

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant sales experience and skills
• Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions focusing on sales scenarios and problem-solving
• Research the company and its products to demonstrate your enthusiasm and understanding of the role

ATS Keywords: Solution Selling, Program Sales, Customer Support, Sales Presentations, Problem Resolution, Dealer Development, Relationship Building, Market Knowledge, Communication Skills, Presentation Skills, Organizational Skills, Self-Motivation, Territory Management, Detail Orientation, Resilience, Client Focus

ASSUMPTION: As a mid-sized company, Sumitomo Rubber North America may use an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to filter and rank candidates based on the relevance of their application materials to the job description.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• CRM software (not specified)
• Sales presentation tools (not specified)

ASSUMPTION: The company may provide training and access to relevant tools and technologies to support the Brand Field Specialist's role.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Commitment to automotive excellence
• Innovation and continuous improvement
• Strong customer focus

Work Style:

• Self-motivated and independent
• Adaptable and resilient
• Strong communication and presentation skills

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you have a strong commitment to automotive excellence and a passion for tires?
• Are you comfortable working independently and managing your time effectively?
• Do you have excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to adapt to various work environments?

ASSUMPTION: Applicants should assess their fit with the company's values and work style requirements, as cultural fit is essential for success in this role.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Extensive travel requirements (80% of the time) may pose logistical and personal challenges
• Working in various environments, including off-road locations and inclement weather, may present physical demands and safety considerations
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with local distributor sales representatives and internal staff may require effective communication and time management skills
• Gathering market intelligence and continuously seeking improvements may involve working with limited resources and tight deadlines

ASSUMPTION: Applicants should carefully consider these potential challenges and ensure they are comfortable with the demands of the role before applying.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role differs from other sales positions in the automotive industry by focusing on the tire industry and requiring extensive travel and adaptability
• As a mid-sized company, Sumitomo Rubber North America offers opportunities for growth and development, with a focus on internal promotions and career progression
• Career paths within the company may include progression within the sales department or other areas of the business, such as marketing or management

ASSUMPTION: Applicants should research similar roles within the tire industry and consider the unique aspects of this position when evaluating their fit and career prospects.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and delivering a compelling sales presentation to a prospective associate dealer
• Identifying market opportunities and efficiently resolving challenges within the assigned territory
• Expanding the dealer and distributor network through strategic sales and planning

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the key responsibilities and required skills for the Brand Field Specialist role.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the typical day-to-day responsibilities of a Brand Field Specialist?
• How does the company support the growth and development of its sales team?
• What are the most challenging aspects of this role, and how can I best prepare for them?
• How does the company measure success for this position, and what are the key performance indicators (KPIs)?
• What opportunities exist for career progression within the sales department or other areas of the business?

ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions demonstrates your interest in the role and provides valuable insights into the company's culture and expectations.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through the following link: Sumitomo Rubber North America Careers
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant sales experience and skills
• Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions focusing on sales scenarios and problem-solving
• Research the company and its products to demonstrate your enthusiasm and understanding of the role
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application, expressing your continued interest in the position

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.