Richard Best Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Direct all business development, sales and operations across North America. Leads team in all customer-facing activities and assist all current and future accounts manage their expansion though-out the continent.KIAN Group of Companies is a leading global manufacturer and provider of quality indoor and outdoor furniture to leading restaurant and hospitality brands, as well as to the education, healthcare and corporate workspace industries.

Greater Milwaukee Area

Oversaw business creation with new and existing customers throughout North America. Responsible for all outside sales presentation, program management and architecture & construction coordination activities in the north-central US. Liaison to a major QSR with oversight duties of seating & decor projects at all corporate-owned locations with the US. First year performance of detail-oriented problem solving resulted in EIS being selected as the sole project supplier. Successfully developed, negotiated and sold project opportunities in the Caribbean market with a major US based customer.

Outside sales management role for project-specific needs supporting customer initiatives in the US and Canada. Built and grew client relationships leading to sales and program management opportunities in Canada. Proactive efforts resulted in sole supplier partner status to two major QSR customers. Spearheaded the development, sourcing and installation of a 20 location, custom seating & decor program in conjunction with a European design firm. Coached and managed an in-house development team which designed and manufactured a prefabricated decor kit for a national rollout by a major restaurant customer.

Leadership role for all aspects and activity pertaining to new and existing business development strategies, account management and proposal development. Hired, trained and mentored sales colleagues. Responsible for achievement of annual bookings and revenue goals by sales staff. Routinely produced accurate sales and profitability forecast metrics for company ownership team. Performed problem resolution and trouble-shooting functions as part of the normal, day-to-day client management process.

Divisional Vice President with extensive direct / outside sales and marketing experience in visual identification and point-of-sale products. Managed project teams for U.S. based client requirements in the United States, Canada, Europe and Latin America. Led a staff of 15.