Jeff Kitchens, Sales Expert in Braselton, GA, United States
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Jeff Kitchens

Sales Expert

Braselton, GA, United States

Toptal member since October 1, 2025

Bio

Jeff transforms organizations by building high-performing sales teams while personally closing major deals. With 25+ years of experience spanning recruitment, retail, banking, and call centers, he has generated $100+ million in client revenue and built seven RPO divisions from scratch. As an award-winning strategist who leads by example, Jeff combines cross-industry expertise with proven results to create scalable sales organizations that turn challenges into competitive advantages.

Project Highlights

Multi-brand Process Optimization Initiative
Implemented process improvements across multiple workforce solution brands that increased close ratios organization-wide while generating $100+ million in annual client spend.
Enterprise RPO Division Launch
Created a new RPO division from concept to execution by designing innovative solution offerings and training business development teams on consultative selling methodology.
Competitive Repositioning and Technology Integration
Spearheaded a complete business transformation, including service restructuring, technology implementation, and market repositioning to compete against top-tier RPO providers and generate $2+ million annual revenue.

Expertise

  • B2B Sales
  • B2B Sales Management
  • Enterprise Sales
  • New Business Development
  • Recruitment
  • Sales Growth
  • Sales Strategy
  • Sales Training

Work Experience

Founder & Director

1998 - PRESENT
Direct Hire Group
  • Built a multi-state operation from startup to 5,400+ client base, expanding to a profitable 6-state footprint within two years through strategic growth.
  • Diversified service offerings by adding five distinct divisions: RPO, direct placement, franchise, consulting, and magazine publishing.
  • Negotiated $2.4+ million annual RPO contract while competing against two established "Baker's Dozen" industry competitors.
  • Managed daily operations, sales strategy, and business development across six states while maintaining hands-on sales leadership.
  • Demonstrated entrepreneurial ability to identify market opportunities and scale operations profitably in a highly competitive landscape.

VP of Business Development

2026 - 2026
AbsDabs Accounting, LLC
  • Developed and launched a new financial services vertical, expanding offerings across accounting, CFO, systems, and direct hire to support mid-market clients.
  • Generated new business opportunities through targeted outbound prospecting and LinkedIn outreach, driving consistent pipeline growth across multiple industries.
  • Positioned integrated financial solutions for complex, multi-entity clients, improving engagement and increasing deal size through consultative selling.
  • Created and executed a content-driven demand strategy, producing multi-part LinkedIn campaigns to increase brand visibility and inbound conversations.
  • Built and managed a full sales pipeline from prospecting through close, supporting multiple concurrent opportunities with structured deal progression.
  • Refined go-to-market messaging and service positioning, aligning offerings into a cohesive model focused on financial visibility and scalability.
  • Collaborated with leadership to design and package service offerings, improving clarity for buyers and enabling more effective sales conversations.
  • Supported client discovery and needs analysis across finance operations, identifying gaps in reporting, systems, and team structure.

Senior Sales and Recruitment Consultant

2000 - 2025
Freelance Clients
  • Generated $100+ million in client spend while exceeding quota three consecutive years with a 34% profit margin, proving ability to drive profitable growth through strategic account management.
  • Closed the second-largest contract for an RPO client in company history by volume, demonstrating the capability to navigate complex enterprise sales cycles and executive-level negotiations.
  • Received a major industry award for creating a new division that generated $16 million in annual revenue through the acquisition of 20+ enterprise clients and market expansion.
  • Led business transformation, generating $2+ million RPO revenue while restructuring offerings and technology to compete with major providers and adapt to market changes.
  • Implemented process improvements across multiple brands that increased close ratios organization-wide, creating scalable solutions with measurable ROI impact.

Project History

Multi-brand Process Optimization Initiative

Implemented process improvements across multiple workforce solution brands that increased close ratios organization-wide while generating $100+ million in annual client spend.

I spearheaded a comprehensive process improvement initiative for the world’s largest workforce solutions provider, analyzing sales workflows across multiple brands to identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies. I developed standardized methodologies for RPO and Total Talent Management (TTM) sales cycles, allowing for customization to meet brand-specific needs.

Additionally, I created training modules and playbooks that codified best practices, enabling consistent execution across geographically dispersed teams, and collaborated with operations and delivery teams to ensure sales promises aligned with service capabilities. Personally, I demonstrated the effectiveness of new processes by exceeding the quota for three consecutive years, achieving 34% profit margins.

The initiative resulted in measurably higher close ratios across all company brands and positioned the organization to compete more effectively in the enterprise RPO market.

Enterprise RPO Division Launch

Created a new RPO division from concept to execution by designing innovative solution offerings and training business development teams on consultative selling methodology.

I led the creation of a new RPO division for a leading workforce solutions provider, identifying market gaps and designing service offerings that differentiated us from competitors.

I developed comprehensive training programs that equipped the business development team with consultative selling skills and deep RPO knowledge. Personally, I drove new business development efforts while simultaneously building internal capabilities and restructured the sales approach to focus on strategic enterprise partnerships rather than transactional deals.

The initiative required cross-functional collaboration with delivery, operations, and marketing teams to ensure seamless client onboarding and service delivery. Within 14 months, I successfully acquired 20+ enterprise clients, generating $16+ million in annual recurring revenue.

Competitive Repositioning and Technology Integration

Spearheaded a complete business transformation, including service restructuring, technology implementation, and market repositioning to compete against top-tier RPO providers and generate $2+ million annual revenue.

I partnered with a mid-sized RPO provider facing intense competition from industry-leading “Baker’s Dozen” firms. I conducted a comprehensive market analysis to identify competitive gaps and opportunities for differentiation. I also restructured the entire service portfolio, redesigned the website and sales collateral, and transformed the delivery model to better align with the expectations of enterprise clients. I implemented innovative recruitment technology solutions that provided capabilities comparable to larger competitors while maintaining cost efficiency. I developed new pricing models and service packages that resonated with mid-market and lower-enterprise segments.

Additionally, I created sales enablement materials and trained the business development team on positioning strategies against larger competitors. I built strategic partnerships with technology vendors to enhance service capabilities.

Finally, I successfully repositioned the company from a regional player to a credible alternative to major providers, resulting in $2+ million in new annual RPO revenue and a significantly improved market perception.

Fortune 1,000 Enterprise Contract Acquisition

Navigated a complex enterprise sales cycle to close the second-largest contract in the company's history by volume, competing against established providers through C-suite engagement.

I led the pursuit of a high-stakes enterprise RPO opportunity with a Fortune 1,000 company requiring sophisticated workforce solutions across multiple locations. I conducted extensive discovery to understand strategic workforce challenges, compliance requirements, and operational complexities.

I also designed a customized RPO solution that addressed immediate hiring needs while providing scalability for future growth. I navigated a multi-month sales cycle involving procurement, HR leadership, operations executives, and C-suite stakeholders.

Additionally, I coordinated internal resources, including delivery teams, legal, and finance, to build a comprehensive proposal. I presented multiple times to executive committees, addressing concerns and demonstrating ROI.

Finally, I successfully negotiated contract terms that balanced client requirements with company profitability, closing the deal despite strong competition from established RPO leaders.

Regional Multi-state Expansion and Diversification

Built a recruitment organization from a startup to a profitable 6-state operation with 5,400+ clients, launching five business divisions, including RPO, direct placement, franchise, consulting, and magazine.

I founded and scaled a regional recruitment company from concept to a multi-state operation, starting with zero clients and building to 5,400+ across six states within two years. I developed a business plan, secured funding, established operational infrastructure, and built an initial sales team.

To achieve this, I identified market opportunities to diversify beyond core business, launching five distinct divisions: RPO services, direct placement, franchise operations, consulting services, and a recruitment-focused magazine. Each division required a unique go-to-market strategy, pricing model, and operational workflow.

I built and trained sales teams for each vertical while personally maintaining top producer status to demonstrate the effectiveness of sales methodologies. Also, I implemented technology platforms to support multi-state operations and enable scalable growth.

Finally, I successfully competed against established national providers, including winning a $2.4+ million annual RPO contract against two “Baker’s Dozen” competitors and created a sustainable business model with diversified revenue streams that reduced dependency on any single service line or market segment.

Skills

Tools

Salesforce, Pipedrive, Apollo

Demand Generation

Cold Calling, Email Outreach, Account Research, Paid Advertising

Competencies

B2B, Sales Coaching, Communication, eCommerce, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Competitive Analysis, Pricing Strategy

Sales Strategies

Request for Proposal (RFP), Outbound Sales, Consultative Selling, Solution Selling

Roles

Sales Development Representative (SDR), Account Executive, Business Development Representative (BDR), Customer Success, Sales Enablement

Other

HubSpot CRM, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Teams, Linkedln, Business Sales, Business Development, New Business Development, Management, Sales Management, B2B Sales Management, Contract Negotiation, C-suite, Training, Staffing, Event Marketing, Event Management, Event Planning, Brand Strategy, Brand Development, Strategy, Sales Strategy, Entrepreneurship, Enterprise Sales, Sales Training, Recruitment, Sales Presentations, Sales Forecasting, B2B Sales, Sales Growth, Sales Growth Planning, Business Proposals, B2B Partnerships, Sales Process Optimization, Stakeholder Management, Sales Operations, Sales, Sales Management, Sales Strategy, Account Management, Outbound Prospecting, Inbound Sales, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Cold Outreach, Sales & CRM Platforms, Appointment Setting, Lead Generation, Recruiting, Reporting, Sales Leadership, Tech Sales, Revenue Operations (RevOps), Full Cycle Sales, Startups, Marketing Operations, Business Intelligence (BI), Digital Marketing Product Manager, Project Management, HubSpot, Email Marketing Automation, Team Leadership, Team Building, LinkedIn Sales Navigator, Outreach, Relationship Based Networking, Customer Acquisition, B2B Marketing, B2B Selling, Product Demonstrations, Sales Communication, Strategy Consulting, Growth Marketing, Revenue Strategy, Executive Coaching, Sales Effectiveness, Sales Optimization, B2B Lead Generation, Strategic Partnerships, Partnership Management, Sales Pipeline Management, Objection Handling, Client Engagement, Customer Support, Onboarding, Software as a Service (SaaS), Email Sales, Lead Nurturing, Deal Closure, Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Zoom, Google Docs, Public Speaking, Advertising, TV Advertising, Human Resources (HR), CRM Selection, ATS Selection, Marketing, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Financial Services, Healthcare, SaaS, CSS, Demand Generation, Cold Emailing, SaaS Sales, Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO), Pipedrive API, AI Tools, Google Sheets, Brevo, Process Improvement, Process Optimization, Sales Performance Analysis, Change Management, Enterprise Account Management, Negotiation, Team Development, Pre-Sales Technical Consulting, Strategic Planning & Execution, Customization, RFP Strategy & Response, Market Research & Analysis, Revenue Growth, Cross-functional Team Leadership, Business Transformation, Technology Integration, Market Positioning, Vendor Partnership Development, C-Suite Engagement, Strategic Account Expansion, Business Cases, Relationship Building, Business Planning, Business Strategy, Sales Team Development, Operations Management, Business Diversification, Multi-location Management, Solution Design, Microsoft Power BI, Zapier, Discovery, Financial Closing, Go-to-market Strategy, Offer Packaging, Sales Process Design, Messaging Development, Content Strategy, Thought Leadership, LinkedIn Content Creation, Demand Generation, Client Relationship Management, Needs Analysis, Sales Negotiations, Financial Services Knowledge, Business Process Understanding, New Vertical Development, Service Line Expansion, Revenue Stream Development, Market Expansion

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