Vern Kaufman
National Sales Manager · DPI Off-Road Brands
Divide, CO
In My Own Words
Professional sales director specializing in growing underperforming sales programs along with finding and developing profitable new markets. Proven results selling to E-Commerce, Wholesale Distribution, International, Fleet/Commercial, Powersports, RV, OEM, Defense, and EV sales channels. Successful implementation of MAP, MSP, and Unilateral programs.
Work Experience
National Sales Manager
DPI Off-Road Brands2023 – 2024
DPI Brands included Daystar, Tuff Country, Nitro Gear, Voodoo Off Road, HCR Powersports, Leveling Solutions, Toytec, and Revtek.
Responsible for OE/Bulk and Aftermarket Sales. Leading a team of nine inside sales and customer support personnel along with three manufacturers rep groups. Kept 50+ OEM cast poly and injection molding urethane customers on board during periods of increasing lead times and late shipments by communicating openly, giving them accurate information they could make business decisions on.
Director of Sales
Hellwig Products2019 – 2023
Director of Sales for Hellwig Products, the leader in load and sway control in the automotive aftermarket. Responsible for the growth of WD, Jobber, Fleet/Commercial/Defense, OE, Private Label, EV, and Internet sales channels in the US and Canada. Hellwig is a certified woman-owned small business specializing in USA-manufactured suspension products with materials sourced in America.
Added 22 new customers including key WD and internet retailers.
National Sales Manager - Undercover
Truck Hero2018 – 2018
Led team of nine outside salespeople, focusing on a new product launch and revitalizing older product lines realizing one year growth of 15% in a very competitive market.
Fleet and Commercial Sales Manager - Truck Hero
Truck Hero2016 – 2018
Established and executed fleet and commercial business strategy for Truck Hero brands Extang, Truxedo, Bedrug, Undercover, Retrax, Bak, N-Fab, Husky, and Rugged achieving profitable, incremental sales growth within the fleet and commercial markets.
Sales, Marketing and Business Development Manager
Pace Edwards/Truck Accessories Group2009 – 2016
Increased international and fleet business by $3M diversifying customer base from shifting market forces in the automotive aftermarket. Added covers for utility body trucks and doors for van body delivery vehicles which was not part of the business model at the time. Introduced private label programs when new market penetration warranted move from core brand in new markets.
Challenged by low margins, brought margin discipline to pricing, ending low margin "deal of the month" specials.
Developed world class customer service team to differentiate from competitors. Managed inside team of seven who were each experts in their departments. Cross trained to allow for no drop off in service to the customer when vacations, illness, and attrition happened.
Created effective and enforceable MAP, MSP, and Unilateral programs. Slowed map violations to 50% of previous year.
Increased sales of USA manufactured products in China by over 200% in first three years, including added Leer brand responsibility for China market.
Stabilized customer base through careful listening, observation, and action to reassure external customers and internal team members.
Led change of complicated multiple part numbering system to a one part number per application reducing returns and increasing customer satisfaction.
North American Aftermarket and Fleet Sales Manager
Thule/UWS2008 – 2009
Increased sales 20% in a competitive commodity environment selling truck tool boxes. Managed eight outside rep firms assisting them in achieving growth goals for lines that were out of their core brand responsibilities. Led product design team in development of tool boxes for specialty, private label, and commercial markets.
Sales Director Lund, National Sales Manager Trenz
Lund International2002 – 2008
Hired as part of Trenz acquisition. Promoted to Sales Director for all Lund/AVS products. Led mentor program of new hires in sales and marketing departments.
National Sales Manager
Wise Industries "Bedrug"2001 – 2002
Increased sales by 100% in one year by ending exclusive territories and adding new customers in multiple new sales channels.
National Sales Manager Bodygard Bedliners
Durakon Industries1998 – 2001
Added national fleet account Budget Car Rental to customer base increasing total sales by 20% which aided production and operations departments managing monthly product output.
Sales Manager
Cal-State Auto Parts, Inc.1992 – 1998
Leading Motorcraft, AC Delco, and truck accessories wholesale distributor.
Started truck accessory division increasing sales from dollar zero to over $3M annually after second year.
Took over and increased sales of export division selling Motorcraft and AC Delco parts. Increased sales to over $1M annually.
Outside Sales Representative
Fey Manufacturing (now Westin Automotive)1985 – 1989
Hired as Customer Service Representative. Promoted to Outside Sales within one year.
