Client Profile
Jean Loup Sommeier,
Vice President, Operations – Sit ‘n Sleep
 Jean Loup Sommier, Vice President of Operations at Sit ‘n Sleep, joined the company five years ago, as a veteran in the distribution business. After honing his skills in automotive industry distribution centers in the midwest, he arrived in Southern California and managed a 400,000 square foot facility for United Stationers.
Jean Loup joined Sit ‘n Sleep in 2003. His duties include purchasing oversight, inventory management, customer service, distribution center operatons, and delivery services for Sit ‘n Sleep’s twenty-two retail locations.
Sommier’s goal is to maintain the high standard of customer service for which the company is justifiably famous. “In today’s world, people prefer to buy from sellers they trust. Our focus on customer satisfaction supports that trust,” he says.
“Most important, customers need to know that we have a genuine interest in their needs, and in meeting their expectations. This can be challenging in today’s economy when people want to feel that their hard earned funds are well spent.”
“From the time the customer meets with the salesperson, to the moment the product is delivered to their door, the process must be professional and ‘seamless,’ and the customer must ultimately be happy.“
Jean Loup believes Sit ‘n Sleep and DSI share common values and vision. “We communicate with each other well, having the shared goal of supporting the customer. DSI plays a vital role in making all this happen,” he adds. “The company is our partner in this most critical part of the transaction - the delivery and installation of the purchase.”
DSI South Group Director Dick Connole calls Sommier a “team player, open to new ideas, who respects all associates and is always willing to help.”
Sommier sees continued growth in the future of the company, especially in the field of technology. Drivers already have hand held credit card verification units, which have sped up delivery operations. “Drivers don’t have to call in and wait for a response,” he explains.
A new GPS sy stem is also fully operational. “Dispatchers see immediately where a particular truck is located. Customers receive more accurate delivery times, while drivers are alerted to changes as well. If a customer cancels, the driver can be diverted to another stop before wasting the gas and time involved in backtracking.“
Jean Loup is enthusiastic about these technological improvements that increase effciency of operations without compromising customer service.
Finally, Jean Loup assures us that “Irwin,” whose heart attacks have been made famous on Sit ‘n Sleep’s radio and tv commercials, is actually alive and well. |
