Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Awards
Affiliations
Certification
References
Timeline
Generic

DIRKE BOTSFORD

North Vancouver,BC

Summary

Dynamic leader and innovator with a proven track record in sales and technical support, notably achieving top Canadian sales award at CANON CANADA. Specializes in digital and offset printing solutions, blending personable customer engagement with strategic sales acumen. Excelled in building relationships and driving revenue growth, demonstrating exceptional problem-solving and communication skills.

Overview

33
33
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Print Production Specialist, Sales

CANON CANADA
08.2022 - Current
  • Customer focused lead generator resulting in top Canadian sales award for 2022 - 2023
  • Specializing in print production equipment sales including wide format, software / workflow solutions, ( toner / inkjet ) digital print solutions for commercial print, in house CRD, B2B (trade) / B2C and educational markets
  • Responsibilities include; sales for new and existing customer base, lead generation, customer solutions in software and digital equipment, customer facing proposal and presentations
  • Asset tracking and management, from initial sale to installation and post-sale support
  • Sales focused funnel management and forecasting
  • Mentorship and guidance to fellow sales representative

Founder / Owner

URGE CHOCOLATES INC
07.2010 - 09.2021
  • As founder and Head chocolatier at Urge Chocolates, I created market ready products for the Hospitality and retail sectors, specializing in private label
  • Utilizing my background in print and graphic design, private label quickly became our main source of revenue
  • One of my key strengths is relationships building
  • Building trust by being authentic and passionate
  • Engage new clients through cold calling and market research, utilizing business and marketing strategies to generate sales opportunities
  • The result, growth to over 6 figures from zero

Outside Sales Representative, Western Canada (Offset and Flexo)

CANSEL
04.2016 - 06.2018
  • Company Overview: Cansel (Ernest Green) is one of the largest independent distributors of graphic arts products and services in Canada for Offset Printing, Flexo & Web and Digital printing
  • As the Outside Sales Representative for Western Canada, I traveled across the prairies from British Columbia to Winnipeg connecting with established customers, engage with new clients to ensure sales targets were met and exceeded
  • In addition to sales, a key aspect of my role was to use my past experience in the industry to offer technical support and solutions, often presenting new opportunities through Sales Force to other members of our team for large format printing or Color management
  • Key points: Introducing new and current product lines to new and existing customer base
  • Including conventional plate and blanket technologies for offset and web
  • Brand & Business development with new customers
  • Sales of pressroom products, including MSDS
  • Brand awareness for Offset and Flexographic
  • Cansel (Ernest Green) is one of the largest independent distributors of graphic arts products and services in Canada for Offset Printing, Flexo & Web and Digital printing

Stay at Home Father

Home
Burnaby, British Columbia
03.2011 - 04.2016
  • Looked after my kids during their early years.
  • Play dates
  • Child care
  • Teaching to swim
  • Teaching to ride a bike
  • Growth and Development

Technical Support Engineer / Application Support Specialist

KODAK CANADA
08.2006 - 03.2011
  • In my role as a Technical Support Engineer at Kodak, I provided direct to client technical and application support (via phone and remote connectivity) for Kodak branded print & prepress workflow software for Canada, Europe and South America
  • Resolving workflow issues through connectivity, software and hardware configurations, hot folders and automation, troubleshooting of digital files and preflight issues
  • Escalating bugs and workarounds to next level support and the development team through share point for review
  • In addition to Commercial print pre-press solutions, I also supported in-store digital photo stations and kiosks at CVS stores throughout the US

Prepress Operator

WESTERN PRINTERS
01.2005 - 09.2006
  • As the prepress operator, I was the liaison between customer and pressroom
  • Processing customers digital files, trouble shooting and fixing files as required, proofing, layout and impositions, platemaker
  • During my time at Western Printers I created and maintained a customer database for ensure all jobs and related files where organized in a searchable way through docket numbering referencing
  • Software: Preps, EVO workflow, Fuji plates, Adobe Creative Suite, specifically, Indesign, Illustrator, Photoshop and Acrobat

Commercial Offset Press Operator

METROPOLITAN FINE PRINTERS
09.1991 - 05.2005
  • Certified Journeyman commercial offset press operator managed daily operations of commercial press & crew, maintenance
  • Worked directly with Brokers, Advertising creatives and Agencies to bring their projects to life on press
  • ManRoland 6 color with perfector and coating - 40inch and 26 inch

Education

Certified chocolatier -

ECOLE CHOCOLAT

Communication and Media Studies - Adobe Creative suite, professional photography, graphic design

Graphic Arts Technical Foundation
Pittsburg, Pennsylvania

Apprenticeship - Certified Journeyman Commercial Press Operator

BC Ministry of Trades

Skills

  • Personable
  • Career driven
  • Sales
  • Technical & Graphics Trained
  • Leadership
  • Management
  • Creative solutions
  • Problem solver
  • CRM / Salesforce
  • Press operation
  • File preparation expertise
  • Strong communication skills
  • Large format printing
  • Teamwork and cooperation
  • Digital printing expertise
  • Offset printing

Awards

  • Top Canadian Sales Rep, 2022
  • Top Canadian Sales Rep, 2023
  • Rookie of the year, 2022
  • Top Competitive Knock Out Award, 2023
  • Quota Achievement, Q4, 2023

Affiliations

  • Culinary Arts Enthusiast
  • Urban Gardening and Growing Techniques

Certification

  • Government of British Columbia - Certificate of Apprenticeship in Lithography, Certificate Number 99-10061

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Print Production Specialist, Sales

CANON CANADA
08.2022 - Current

Outside Sales Representative, Western Canada (Offset and Flexo)

CANSEL
04.2016 - 06.2018

Stay at Home Father

Home
03.2011 - 04.2016

Founder / Owner

URGE CHOCOLATES INC
07.2010 - 09.2021

Technical Support Engineer / Application Support Specialist

KODAK CANADA
08.2006 - 03.2011

Prepress Operator

WESTERN PRINTERS
01.2005 - 09.2006

Commercial Offset Press Operator

METROPOLITAN FINE PRINTERS
09.1991 - 05.2005

Certified chocolatier -

ECOLE CHOCOLAT

Communication and Media Studies - Adobe Creative suite, professional photography, graphic design

Graphic Arts Technical Foundation

Apprenticeship - Certified Journeyman Commercial Press Operator

BC Ministry of Trades

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