New Groupe SEB sales director Pilvi Carman.
New Groupe SEB sales director Pilvi Carman.

Groupe SEB, owner and marketer of the Tefal appliance brand, has confirmed the appointment of a new sales director. Pilvi Carman joins the French company after stints at Ingram Micro, David Jones, Belkin and Hasbro.

Wivina Chaneliere, managing director of Groupe SEB’s Australian subsidiary, said this appointment was made in advance of significant growth through 2015.

“Next year will be a big growth year for us,” she said. “Indeed, we have big ambitions in all our three of core product pillars: Cookware, Linen Care and Smart Appliances.

“In order to deliver outstanding customer service and ensure perfect in-store execution on all our new projects with our core retail partners, we have recruited a sales director to support the current team of national sales managers, state managers, agents, demonstrators and merchandisers.

“Indeed, we still have a very large presence in all states and at all levels with our core  retail partners to ensure strong sell through on our Tefal products.”

Carman joined the consumer electronics industry in 1998 when she was appointed national retail business manager at Tech Pacific, which was later acquired by Ingram Micro. In 2001, Carman switched to the retail side to become merchandise and product coordinator at David Jones. Eighteen months later, Carman moved to Belkin to become national business development. Over six years at Belkin, Carman graduated through the ranks to become the Australian sales director. In 2010, she moved to market leading toy company Hasbro, where she rose to become director of operations.

“My passion is for achieving success through collaboration across organisations, both internally and externally,” Carman said. “Having worked in sales and operational roles, I am a champion of effective process to support customer-focused behaviours and initiatives.”

Carman was educated in “a French immersion school”, which one assumes will come in handy working at Groupe SEB.

Chaneliere said Stephen Andrew, who had been the sales director, will be staying on and continuing to manage the state field teams and that his titles has been changed to senior national sales manager.

“With this newly created role, we have now completed an already highly skilled sales team ready to achieve the future ambitious growth objectives of the Australian subsidiary.”