Emily Cowdrey – Profit Center Manager!
Profit Center Manager is now my official title! The last three years of my life have been dedicated to preparing for this role, so I was nervous and excited before starting. It’s been about a month and half since I first arrived, and I already feel at home in Clarksburg, WV. The MDP is so thorough that there haven’t been any surprises. I have been blessed with a great team of three employees with 22 years of experience among them. I was worried they would be stuck in their routine, but each of them is excited to grow the business in innovative ways. In the beginning it’s important to show the team that I can work hard, since they were not there for my years of training in the warehouse and helping customers on the counter. In that sense, it’s starting over for proving myself. Luckily, I have had all the best training to show them I know the business all around. I have taken the time to observe and reflect on what the PC is currently doing, and it’s time to act!
My time is spent building relationships with our vendor partners to help me ensure I have the best items in stock and the best price available. Manufacturer rep agencies are a great way for me to find leads and even get introduced to key customers in my market. One of the first things I did upon arrival was make the place my own by rearranging furniture and getting rid of things that had been sitting around for a long time (like old price books and even an old nonworking copier). From here on out, my priority is growing sales with our existing customers and finding new contractors in the area. It’s my job to maximize profit sharing for me and my team!