Training & Development Specialist, Sales - POOLCORP

Company Overview

POOLCORP is the leading business-to-business distributor of swimming pool and landscape supplies, equipment, and related outdoor living products. Through our subsidiaries, SCP Distributors LLC, Superior Pool Products LLC, and Horizon Distributors Inc., we operate in more than 420 wholesale Sales Centers worldwide with nearly 6,000 employees serving the needs of customers by offering a wide array of products and value-added support.

Our Covington, LA headquarters provides exceptional support (i.e., IT, HR, Finance, Marketing, Legal, Purchasing, Sourcing, etc.) to each of our Sales Centers.  Our extraordinary company culture encompasses a high work ethic, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a community presence all within a family-oriented work atmosphere.  At POOLCORP, we strive to employ only the very best. 

Why POOLCORP? 

Because it’s a place where you can make an impact and grow!  At POOLCORP you’ll find a wealth of opportunities that support your individual and long-term career goals.  Our stable work environment is further enhanced by our generous compensation and benefits package.  Publicly traded since 1995, POOLCORP is a global organization with a long history of continuous success - clearly making it an industry leader – in so many ways!

 
So, end your job search here – at POOLCORP – Where Outdoor Living Comes to Life!

JOB SUMMARY:

The Training & Development Specialist is responsible for delivering best-in-class training programs focused on Sales and Business Development for POOLCORP employees.  In addition to regularly delivering in-person and virtual Sales training, this position will engage stakeholders in the development of new programs, coordinate and work with guest facilitators, and partner with instructional designers to continuously improve program delivery and results.  This role will also provide coaching and mentorship to participants in our manager-in-training (MIT) program.  The Training & Development Specialist will play a key role delivering training that prepares POOLCORP employees to excel in their careers.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Accountable for the delivery of multiple Sales training programs, including our Manager-in-Training (MIT) program, Sales Orientation, certifications focused on basic to advanced sales skills and the selling process. 
• Creates and/or acquires training manuals, guides, and course materials to develop instructor-led, web-based, and asynchronous training for pool distribution and landscape irrigation business units.
• Presents sales training and development programs using various forms and formats including group discussion, lecture, simulations, and videos.
• Conducts orientation to sales process, develops individual coaching plans, and provides resources and assistance, including coordination of sales call ride-alongs other hands-on activities for new and existing employees.
• Observes sales encounters and collects and provides feedback, results, and performance data to trainees and managers to improve sales skills.
• Coordinates with co-facilitators, instructional design team, vendors, and internal and external subject matter experts to ensure best-in-class program delivery.
• Regularly interacts with Business Development Representatives (BDRs), field leadership, and Product Managers to stay abreast of latest trends and policies.
• Collaborates with participant managers and field leadership to share progress, address gaps, and coach and council students on career development objectives.
• Communicates regularly with field management at sales center locations to ensure compliance with agreed upon learning objectives for the trainees.  
• Works with IT and Sales Development Manager to ensure technology is adequately taught to trainees including our CRM and customer-facing technologies.
• Collaborates with Instructional design team and vendors on product knowledge and other online training offerings.
• Evaluates program effectiveness through assessments, surveys, and feedback.
• Maintains records of training and development activities, attendance, results of tests and assessments, and retraining requirements.
• Implements training budget; maintains records and reports of expenses.
• Maintains knowledge of the latest trends in Sales training and development.
• Performs other related duties as required, including assistance with administrative duties and logistics for in-person classes.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent industry experience required.
• Certifications in Sales Training, Training and Development, Instructional Design, or similar experience preferred.
• At least two years of experience with in-person facilitation and training preferred.
• Proven ability to develop others through positive motivation and training.
• Strong presentation and facilitation skills; ability to communicate complex concepts in plain language.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Familiarity with a variety of multimedia training platforms and methods.
• Ability to partner with co-facilitators and design team to research and evaluate training options and implement effective solutions. 
• Capacity to collaborate and build rapport and relationships with employees at all levels.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with colleagues, managing multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with Workday, Outlook, Adobe, the Microsoft Office Suite, and Microsoft TEAMs preferred.

WORKINGRELATIONSHIPS:

• Reports to Sr. Manager, Talent Management, based in Clearwater, Florida.
• Part of a national team of ten L&D professionals located in Tampa and across the U.S.
• Will regularly interact with Field managers, participants, leadership, the Talent Development team, HR, IT, and all POOLCORP employees.

LOCATION AND TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

• Position based in Clearwater, FL
  • 2024 – Q2 2025: 40% travel required to current training center in Plano, TX
  • Q3 2025 and beyond: located in state-of-the-art new building in Clearwater, FL

Bilingual, Military, Military Spouses and Veteran applicants are strongly encouraged to apply!  Currently, POOLCORP has over one hundred and twenty military personnel serving on our team. We understand the uniqueness of hiring military personnel and veterans and will support him/her in the time of duty or with the transition into new civilian professions. 

All offers to external candidates for employment are contingent upon the successful completion of pre-employment drug testing and background verifications before employment is finalized.

POOLCORP, including all its subsidiaries, is a drug-free company and Equal Opportunity Employer – By Choice. The Company understands, respects, and values diversity – unique styles, experiences, identities, ideas, and opinions – while striving to be inclusive of all people. This commitment is critical to our success as a global company as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. Hiring and promotional decisions are based solely on the qualifications required for the job to be filled.