A breath of fresh air

By Alexandra Richter

“Management immediately jived,” Schoff says. “I knew it was where I belonged.”

The dedication of the faculty at the school shaped his education and their industry insights kept his finger on the pulse of the business world.

“Every professor I encountered was warm and welcoming and, for a big school, it was an intimate experience where the faculty taught beyond the textbook,” he says.

After graduation, Schoff hit the ground running, fueled by a passion for learning new things, meeting new people and living and working in different places.

“I’m a ‘climb-the-ladder’ type of guy,” he says. “I get to the next level, and then I want to get to the next one after that. I’m always up for a challenge and want to pressure test myself.”

This mindset led him to roles at inLighten, Acosta, Mars, Henkel, PepsiCo and Tropicana Brands Group, selling everything from food and beverage to laundry and home care. Along the way, Schoff discovered what he loved most about sales: its reach across every function of an organization.

“I like that sales touches everything: marketing, supply chain, finance and more,” he says.

Now, Schoff is vice president of multichannel sales at ~Pourri, an odor-elimination company known for its bold branding and natural products.

“In mid-market companies, you wear a lot of hats,” he says. “I wanted my next challenge to be one where I could lead, but also where I had a true fingerprint on different areas while still being in a sales capacity. At ~Pourri, I can truly mold my team and influence products from start to finish. That’s the real fun and it is a breath of fresh air — literally.”

And, the company’s expanding product line taps into a growing consumer desire for healthier, natural solutions.

“These last several years, people have been looking under their sinks and thinking, ‘I don’t want to breathe in chemicals anymore. I want to make small steps in my life that could potentially have healthier benefits long term,’” Schoff says. “With our natural odor eliminators, you don’t have to worry about that. For example, Home~Pourri can replace scented candles and plug-ins. We offer a natural way to eliminate odor in any room, even for pets. It’s a win-win.”

As Schoff builds partnerships and drives growth for ~Pourri, he credits the School of Management with shaping his collaborative mindset.

“Even if you are an individual contributor, you still have to play a role on a bigger team. A collaborative spirit and the ability to work cross-functionally are crucial,” he says.

That team-first approach now guides his leadership style.

“It is rewarding to be able to shape the next frontier of sales folks. I want to make sure others are succeeding just as much as I have in my career,” he says. “I’m truly just a coach, helping my team reach their own goals on their own timeline.”

He also encourages students and young alumni to actively lean on their UB network.

“Some of the best knowledge I’ve gained has come from conversations with others: friends, faculty, former managers, even people in completely different industries,” he says. “Reach out, build connections and lean on your network both when you’re starting out and throughout your career. It will take you far.”