1) Sr SAM Comp plan presented by management is disingenuous at best. Most recent Sr SAM postings list OTE earnings at $135k - $155k…NO ONE in the SR SAM role makes (or has made) $135k-$155k. The position recently had the base salary cut to $80k-90k…at 100% of plan your bonus will be 35% of your salary…OTE is more like $108-120k. And that’s IF you are at 100% of plan against whatever Fugazi budget you are assigned.
2) Current Senior Management holds a dangerous combination of a lack industry knowledge, and field experience. They do not visit customers or support the sales process. They also do not offer much in training to sales staff…you better be good at teaching yourself if you want to be successful.
3) Unrealistic performance expectations. The Sr SAM role carries NO work/life balance. I had 130+ overnights on the road. To be successful…you WILL be on the road 4 days a week with the expectation from leadership customer relationships are supported nationally at the corporate level AND locally at plant level with minimal field resources.
4) Sales budget setting lacks visibility and/or collaboration. The budget process is driven from the top down without a feel for what is “real” in the sales pipeline. Furthermore, budgets aren’t distributed until P4 each fiscal year…AFTER Q1 bonuses are paid.
5) Leadership does not like “winners” and will not reward/pay for performance. If you have a good year…you WILL receive a large budget increase the next year. Try to get promoted based on performance…they WILL pass you over. Promotions are 100% political.
