Les Hough
National Field Sales Manager at Acton International Marketing Limited- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Nick Sedwell
I've known Les since January 2014 when he joined Hansells as National Field Sales Manager, responsible for the territoy managers and merchandisers throughout NZ. I sit next to Les when we're both in Hansells Support Office and am always impressed by how he communicates with his team over the phone as well as colleagues in the office. He has set new standards for the TMs to aspire to and, more than that, has guided them to achieve. He also hosts the monthly sales meeting and quarterly conferences with equal professionalism.
Susan Harvey
For the last 15 months I have worked at Hansells Food Group with Les Hough. Les Hough is our National Field Sales Manager and has 9 direct reports. During his time at Hansells Les has made a tremendous impact on our sales team and the way in which our field team and head office teams interact. Les is very good at setting priorities for his team by being clear on expectations and breaking down big goals into achievable chunks. In the eight years that I have worked for Hansells I have not seen our territory managers more motivated than under the leadership of Les Hough. Our head office team is now also aware of what the territory manager require in their role to succeed due to Les’ input and feedback. An example of this was the recent launch of Alfa One Extra Virgin Olive Oil which I worked on directly with Les. This simply was the best executed launch that Hansells have ever done. Les’ input into this launch was fundamental to the success of the launch and the very high motivation levels of our Territory Managers. Les has also been fundamental in the development Hansells personal development plan programme, not only for his own team but for the wider Hansells business. Les’ ability to relate to people and motivate them makes him stand out from other national field sales managers. An example of this is the work that Les has done around setting goals and measuring improvements of shelf placements. The support that Les has given to his team, including in market support is a real credit to him. If I had to describe Les’ attributes they would be: professional, hard working, approachable, honest, supportive, leader, motivator and results driven.
Nick Sedwell
I've known Les since January 2014 when he joined Hansells as National Field Sales Manager, responsible for the territoy managers and merchandisers throughout NZ. I sit next to Les when we're both in Hansells Support Office and am always impressed by how he communicates with his team over the phone as well as colleagues in the office. He has set new standards for the TMs to aspire to and, more than that, has guided them to achieve. He also hosts the monthly sales meeting and quarterly conferences with equal professionalism.
Susan Harvey
For the last 15 months I have worked at Hansells Food Group with Les Hough. Les Hough is our National Field Sales Manager and has 9 direct reports. During his time at Hansells Les has made a tremendous impact on our sales team and the way in which our field team and head office teams interact. Les is very good at setting priorities for his team by being clear on expectations and breaking down big goals into achievable chunks. In the eight years that I have worked for Hansells I have not seen our territory managers more motivated than under the leadership of Les Hough. Our head office team is now also aware of what the territory manager require in their role to succeed due to Les’ input and feedback. An example of this was the recent launch of Alfa One Extra Virgin Olive Oil which I worked on directly with Les. This simply was the best executed launch that Hansells have ever done. Les’ input into this launch was fundamental to the success of the launch and the very high motivation levels of our Territory Managers. Les has also been fundamental in the development Hansells personal development plan programme, not only for his own team but for the wider Hansells business. Les’ ability to relate to people and motivate them makes him stand out from other national field sales managers. An example of this is the work that Les has done around setting goals and measuring improvements of shelf placements. The support that Les has given to his team, including in market support is a real credit to him. If I had to describe Les’ attributes they would be: professional, hard working, approachable, honest, supportive, leader, motivator and results driven.
Nick Sedwell
I've known Les since January 2014 when he joined Hansells as National Field Sales Manager, responsible for the territoy managers and merchandisers throughout NZ. I sit next to Les when we're both in Hansells Support Office and am always impressed by how he communicates with his team over the phone as well as colleagues in the office. He has set new standards for the TMs to aspire to and, more than that, has guided them to achieve. He also hosts the monthly sales meeting and quarterly conferences with equal professionalism.
Susan Harvey
For the last 15 months I have worked at Hansells Food Group with Les Hough. Les Hough is our National Field Sales Manager and has 9 direct reports. During his time at Hansells Les has made a tremendous impact on our sales team and the way in which our field team and head office teams interact. Les is very good at setting priorities for his team by being clear on expectations and breaking down big goals into achievable chunks. In the eight years that I have worked for Hansells I have not seen our territory managers more motivated than under the leadership of Les Hough. Our head office team is now also aware of what the territory manager require in their role to succeed due to Les’ input and feedback. An example of this was the recent launch of Alfa One Extra Virgin Olive Oil which I worked on directly with Les. This simply was the best executed launch that Hansells have ever done. Les’ input into this launch was fundamental to the success of the launch and the very high motivation levels of our Territory Managers. Les has also been fundamental in the development Hansells personal development plan programme, not only for his own team but for the wider Hansells business. Les’ ability to relate to people and motivate them makes him stand out from other national field sales managers. An example of this is the work that Les has done around setting goals and measuring improvements of shelf placements. The support that Les has given to his team, including in market support is a real credit to him. If I had to describe Les’ attributes they would be: professional, hard working, approachable, honest, supportive, leader, motivator and results driven.
Nick Sedwell
I've known Les since January 2014 when he joined Hansells as National Field Sales Manager, responsible for the territoy managers and merchandisers throughout NZ. I sit next to Les when we're both in Hansells Support Office and am always impressed by how he communicates with his team over the phone as well as colleagues in the office. He has set new standards for the TMs to aspire to and, more than that, has guided them to achieve. He also hosts the monthly sales meeting and quarterly conferences with equal professionalism.
Susan Harvey
For the last 15 months I have worked at Hansells Food Group with Les Hough. Les Hough is our National Field Sales Manager and has 9 direct reports. During his time at Hansells Les has made a tremendous impact on our sales team and the way in which our field team and head office teams interact. Les is very good at setting priorities for his team by being clear on expectations and breaking down big goals into achievable chunks. In the eight years that I have worked for Hansells I have not seen our territory managers more motivated than under the leadership of Les Hough. Our head office team is now also aware of what the territory manager require in their role to succeed due to Les’ input and feedback. An example of this was the recent launch of Alfa One Extra Virgin Olive Oil which I worked on directly with Les. This simply was the best executed launch that Hansells have ever done. Les’ input into this launch was fundamental to the success of the launch and the very high motivation levels of our Territory Managers. Les has also been fundamental in the development Hansells personal development plan programme, not only for his own team but for the wider Hansells business. Les’ ability to relate to people and motivate them makes him stand out from other national field sales managers. An example of this is the work that Les has done around setting goals and measuring improvements of shelf placements. The support that Les has given to his team, including in market support is a real credit to him. If I had to describe Les’ attributes they would be: professional, hard working, approachable, honest, supportive, leader, motivator and results driven.
Experience
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Acton International Marketing Limited
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Food and Beverage Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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National Field Sales Manager
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Apr 2021 - Present
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Hill's Pet Nutrition
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United States
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Manufacturing
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700 & Above Employee
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Field Sales Manager
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Apr 2019 - Nov 2021
Contract role Contract role
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National Sales Manager
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Dec 2017 - Aug 2018
RESPONSIBILITIES AND CHALLENGES National Sales Manager – (November 2017 – August 2018) ● Contract role ● Put systems and process in place to future proof Plum Agencies. ● Manage 9 principles across NZ ● 10 direct reports throughout NZ ● Manage the CRM system within the business ● Develop and enhance relationships with key retail sales and operations people (Store and territory managers) to ensure an increase in the level of retail activities at store level ● Field visit with Territory Managers once every 6-8 weeks ● Regular meetings with our Principle to ensure customer satisfaction and business alignment for both parties. ● Set up promotional plans for principles which lead into SAP deal sheets across all Principles. ● Sell into New World Mt Roskill & New World Albany ● Review cost of service across all Principle ● Assistance with Auckland restructure Show less
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Henkel
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Germany
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Manufacturing
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700 & Above Employee
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National Field Sales Manager - Laundry & Home Care
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Jul 2015 - Nov 2017
RESPONSIBILITIES AND CHALLENGES National Field Sales Manager – (August 2015 – November 2017) ● New business set up within the NZ market ● Recruit 9 Territory Managers nationally ● Sign up an Agency to cover Whangarei & New Plymouth ● Recruit 44 Merchandisers nationally ● Negotiate the purchase of 9 company vehicles ● Set up Henkel CRM System through Stay in Front ● Create a Field Execution Deck to ensure business strategy and focus are implemented within the NZ marketplace ● Create a display tracker to ensure we deliver excellence in execution across all Foodstuffs accounts. ● Manage fixed cost centres (Territory Managers/ Merchandising/ Sales Meetings NZ & ANZ) ● Develop and enhance relationships with key retail sales and operations people (store and area managers) to ensure an increase in the level of retail activities at store level ● Weekly teleconference with Territory Managers (Enforce progress versus business KPI’s) ● Field visit with Territory Managers once every 6-8 weeks ● 1 to 1 documents completed after every field visit (Territory Managers development, personal and customer) ● Coaching and training direct reports ● Manage National Sales Meetings - work with other business leaders to ensure alignment and delivery of a productive meeting ● ANZ meeting - work with other business leaders to ensure alignment and engagement. Take a leadership role within breakout sessions to ensure NZ have a voice. ACHIEVEMENTS Being a part of the Henkel Laundry & Home Care NZ set up which received Global attention within Henkel for delivering everything on time. Show less
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National Field Sales Manager
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Jan 2014 - Jul 2015
RESPONSIBILITIES AND CHALLENGES National Field Sales Manager – (January 2014 – June 2015) ● Manage fixed cost centres (Territory Managers & Merchandising) ● Develop a national field sales strategy which is in line with company objectives and ensure excellent in-store execution ● Responsible for the Field sales team in terms of structure, direction, measurement, budgetary controls and performance to grow the market share and profitability ● Develop and enhance relationships with key retail sales and operations people ( store and area managers) to ensure an increase in the level of retail activities at store levels ● 10 direct reports nationally across Grocery ● Weekly teleconference with Territory Managers (Enforce progress versus business KPI’s) ● Field visit with Territory Managers once every 6-8 weeks ● 1 to 1 documents completed after every field visit (Territory Managers development, personal and customer) ● Coaching and training direct reports ● Manage National Sales Meetings - work with other business leaders to ensure alignment and delivery of a productive meeting ● Manage the Hansells Performance Review process for all direct reports ● Communicate Field Execution Plan and Business Priorities to the field team ● Engage with external customers of all levels. ACHIEVEMENTS Apart of the Hansells Performance Review pilot and implementation Facilitated Competenz Level 3 Modules 1-5 Show less
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Wrigley
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United States
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Manufacturing
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700 & Above Employee
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National Field Sales Manager
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Jul 2010 - Dec 2013
RESPONSILBILITES AND CHALLENGES National Field Sales Manger - (August 2010 – December 2013) • Member of the New Zealand Leadership Team • Manage fixed cost centres (Territory Managers wage & Third Party Merchandising) • 15 direct reports nationally across Grocery & Impulse channels • Create a high performance culture (Gallop Survey) • Fortnightly teleconference with Territory Managers (Enforce progress versus business KPI’s) • Field visit with Territory Mangers once every 6-8 weeks • 1 to 1 documents completed after every field visit (Territory Managers development, personal and customer) • Coaching and training direct reports • Manage National Sales Meetings - work with other business leaders to ensure alignment and delivery of a productive meeting • Manage ANZ conference once a year to ensure NZ has a voice • Manage the PDP process for all direct reports • Communicate Field Execution Plan to field • Engage with external customers of all levels ACHIEVEMENTS NZ Associate of the Year 2011 Make the Difference Finalist Melbourne 2011 Show less
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Bluebird Foods
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1 - 100 Employee
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Regional Field Sales Manager Northern
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Mar 2008 - May 2010
RESPONSILBILITES AND CHALLENGES Regional Field Sales Manager Northern- (March 2008 – May 2010) • Manage AOP numbers within the sales function. • Manage fixed cost centres (Coop, Merchandisers wages) • Eight direct reports, with 90 Merchandisers within the northern region. • Implementation of the PepsiCo Big Three professional development programme (One to One, Work With’s, PDR’s) • Coaching and training direct reports • Manage the implementation of NPD in the market place within a set timeframe. • Field visits scheduled to develop Territory Managers and improve outlet execution. • Drive internal alignment with Account Managers, Marketing, Customer Services, Logistics and Human Resources • Manage monthly meetings with direct reports to ensure forward planning. ACHIEVEMENTS Complete all PepsiCo sales programme (8 Papers) Show less
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Dulux New Zealand
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New Zealand
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Wholesale Building Materials
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1 - 100 Employee
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Regional Field Sales Manager
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Jan 2006 - Mar 2008
RESPONSILBILITES AND CHALLENGES National Field Sales Manager- (January 2006 – March 2008) • Manage Opex numbers within the sales function. • Effective leadership, team building and resource management of territory managers. • Up-skill field team through focused bi-monthly training programme. • Coaching and Training direct reports • Manage the efficiency of the information management system and processes for field operation (Acer units) • Monitor fixed cost/budgets for field operations. • Manage the implementation of NPD within the market place within a set timeframe. • Monthly field visits scheduled to develop territory managers and improve outlet execution. • Drive internal alignment with Account Managers, Marketing, Customer Services, Logistics and Human Resources • A part of the Orica “In Store Sales Procedure” project team. Representative for the New Zealand business. ACHIEVEMENTS Leadership Award October 2007 Creative Customer Solution Award 2006/2008 Show less
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GlaxoSmithKline
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United States
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Investment Management
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National Field Sales Manager/ Territory Manager Foodstuffs Auckland Account Manager/Territory Manage
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Jul 1996 - Jan 2006
National Field Sales Manager (January 2006) • Manage Opex numbers within the sales function. • Effective leadership, teambuilding and resource management of territory managers. • Up-skilling field team through focused training programme. • Manage the efficiency of the information management system and processes for field operation • Monitor fixed cost/budgets for field operations. • Manage the implementation of NPD within the market place within a set timeframe. • Monthly field visits scheduled to develop territory managers and improve outlet execution. • Coaching and Training Direct Report • Drive internal alignment with Account Managers, Marketing, Customer Services, Logistics and Human Resources. Territory Manager Foodstuffs Account Manager • Responsible for promotional plan and submission with each banner. • Constantly reviewing promotions to maximise our company’s return on investment. • Monthly performance review across all brands and implement additional activity across all banner groups. • Responsible for the presentation of all new products to Category Managers. • Establish a closer working relationship with Foodstuffs Auckland. Territory Manager • Responsible for the presentation of all new product and brand activity to retail key accounts in the territory • Develop shelf strategies within each banner group to ensure all company brands have shelf facing comparable if not greater than market share and in line with company brand strategy • Responsible for building successful long term partnership relations with all key accounts through regular personal contact and achievement of win-win outcome Company-Retailer • Responsible for regular field intelligence, market and competitor trends which may impact on the company • Manage a team of part time merchandisers Living the GSK Spirit award - Sense of Urgency Living the GSK Spirit award -Commitment and Contribution Territory Manager of the YR 1997 Finalist David Forman Sales Person of the YR 1998 Show less
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Coca Cola Amatil
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New Zealand
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Retail
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1 - 100 Employee
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Area Manager/Route Area Manager/Warehouse & Transport Manager
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Mar 1988 - Jun 1996
RESPONSILBILITES AND CHALLENGES Food Stores Area Manager ( March 1995- 1996) • Organise promotional activities at store level (Foodstuffs/Progressive and Woolworth stores) • Achieve keystone targets each month • Selling products old and new • Merchandising stores • Achieving team sales budgets • Infield outlet execution ACHIEVEMENTS Keystone Record (New Zealand June 1996) Route Area Manager 1992-1995 (2 Areas: South Auckland/Central Auckland) • Achieve team sales budgets • Infield outlet execution (Glass door merchandising programme) • Developing new business • Renewal and negotiation of contracts • Promote regional activity (Special events) Warehouse and Transport Manager 1991-1992 • Manage Warehouse and employee costs • Managing the day shift and shift crew • Managing transport local and overseas Day Shift Foreman and Stock Controller 1989- 1991 • 6 Direct reports • Trucks loaded and dispatched within set time frame • Control inward stock from product Night Shift Foreman 1988-1989 • 8 Direct reports • Organising daily deliveries for route trade Show less
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Education
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Rosehill College
Community
