Magazine for the professional tire industry
Issue link: https://mtd.epubxp.com/i/714120
JILL RICHTER Auto dealer account manager RHD Tire Inc. Ferndale, Mich. What was your first job in the industry? My first job in the industry is my current position at RHD Tire. I love that I found my place in the world of tires. What aracted you to the industry? Growing up in the metro Detroit area you naturally develop a sense of pride and huge respect for the automotive industry. So when I learned that RHD Tire is a Michigan-based company whose main customers are Ford and GM car dealerships, I felt like the position was a perfect match. e interview process at RHD Tire took almost three months, and during my visits and meetings I found out the tire industry has some of the most hard-working, straightforward, and genuine people in it, true salt of the earth individuals. What is the biggest challenge you've faced in your career? When I joined RHD Tire in 2012 I had very lile knowledge of tires. My educational background is graphic design and marketing, but I always held jobs that centered heavily around sales and customer service. As many sales people know, you need to have knowledge of the product you're selling, so this was the biggest challenge for me. I tackled it head on and spent the first three months at RHD Tire utilizing every spare minute to study tire models from the leading tire manufacturers. I enrolled in every online tire course I could find, and even created flash cards and outlines to study at home. I knew I would need to have confidence when speaking about tires to my accounts and I wanted my knowledge, confidence, and skills to be honest and genuine. What is your biggest accomplishment so far? ree short months aer countless hours studying, I felt confident enough to make my first sales call. Now almost four years later I am RHD Tire's Ford, Lincoln, and Quick Lane sales representative, a certified Auto Dealer Account Manager by Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., a tire trainer, a Ford Tire Program expert, a tire warranty specialist, and I now call on 40 dealerships with visits twice per month. During my dealer visits I set up, manage, and maintain all of my client's tire inventories, and with this responsibility I have developed loyal and supportive customers, and I have helped maintain RHD Tire's ATW Platinum Distributor status. I also have spearheaded innovative marketing campaigns and contests to build and maintain RHD Tire's client base and increase sales year over year. What do you expect to be doing 20 years from now? I would expect to be in a role that is an extension of what I am doing now. Maybe that would entail leading a sales team at RHD Tire, as our company grows and expands, or simply just mentoring one or two co-workers in sales roles. Jill Richter is 33 and has a secret superpower. "I can open a champagne bottle with a sword." Quik-Link: 800-687-1557 ext. 19107 18