#VectorTrained
Who we are
Vector Marketing, the sales arm of Cutco Cutlery, has invested in young people through training and mentorship for more than 40 years.
And while there's nothing like making a sale, we believe "the knife job" (as some have referred to it) is so much more than selling knives. We build up leaders to live out our core values.
Since 1981
Tens of thousands of students have used Vector as a stepping stone to launch successful careers in a variety of fields. Whether a student who works with Vector progresses through our management program or develops their skills to excel in a future career elsewhere, they know they're building skills for life.
Our core values
People. Belief in the unlimited power of the individual.
Products. Pride in representing Cutco, The World's Finest Cutlery.
Programs. Pursuit of excellence in sales, training, and customer service programs.
These core values provide the foundation for an exceptional student work program. The students who work with Vector build confidence and interpersonal skills that can be applied in any career endeavor.
As featured on Forbes and
Business Insider...
Vector landed on Comparably's Top 100
- Best Company Outlook - #54
- Best Sales Teams - #7
- Best CEOs for Women - #30
- Best CEOs for Diversity - #42
- Best Career Growth - #21
- Happiest Employees - #39
- Best Company Compensation - #32
- Best Company Work-Life Balance - #11
- Best Company Perks & Benefits - #56
- Best Company Culture - #86
- Best CEO - #36
- Best Company for Women - #56
- Best Company for Diversity - #72
Cutco through the years
The craftspeople at Cutco are proud to manufacture The World's Finest Cutlery. Since 1949, every knife that carries the Cutco name has been manufactured in the United States. Each piece of Cutco goes through rigorous quality assurance testing to make sure that it is worthy of our Forever Guarantee.
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2024
Cutco celebrates its 75th anniversary.
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2017
Vector is DECA's National Advisory Board Member of the Year.
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2011
For the first time ever, Cutco and KA-BAR release a co-branded knife, the Cutco/KA-BAR Explorer.
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2004
Cutco Corporation acquires Schilling Forge, Inc. in Syracuse, NY, a privately held supplier of custom forgings.
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1996
Cutco Corporation acquires KA-BAR Knives, Inc.
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1990
Cutco Corporation acquires Vector Marketing Corporation, establishing it as a wholly- owned subsidary.
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1985
Vector Marketing Corporation expands into Canada.
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1960
The Double-D stay-sharp recessed edge is added to appropriate Cutco items.
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1952
The ergonomically designed "hand-perfect" Wedge-Lock handle is added to Cutco Cutlery, ensuring a comfortable grip.
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1949
The first Cutco knife is manufactured in Olean, NY, and sold following the formation of Cutco Corporation.
Vector is the vehicle to overcome limitations
Why do so many Vector alumni go on to become successful entepreneurs, authors, CEOS, and countless other careers? Because they gain invaluable skills.
- Leadership
- Professional presence
- Thinking on your feet
- Positive attitude
- Working as a team
- Responsibility
- Confidence in communication
- Preparing for your future
- Positively impacting your peers
- Networking
Build experience and jumpstart your career
Our sales representatives use their time at Vector as the foundation for their future career or to advance within the organization. Vector believes in promoting from within. The best part? These positions can be held around school and other responsibilities. Talk to a manager about opportunities for advancement, including the paths to Cutco Sales Professional and Management.
Helpful resources
TheVectorImpact.com/management TheVectorImpact.com/why-salesNever stop learning: support + training
PERSONAL DAILY INTERACTION
Sales Reps stay in touch with their team to report progress. Their manager gives suggestions, feedback, and updates.
TEAM MEETINGS
Optional weekly team meetings that include recognition, personal development, and connection.
FIELD TRAINING
Learn from other representatives by observing peers do presentations.
SALES CONFERENCES
Attend divisional, regional, and national conferences to grow personally and professionally.
What if I don't have sales experience?
No problem! Our initial training seminar is simple enough for people with no sales experience, yet challenging enough to enhance a student's previous experience from a sales club or marketing class. Training takes place in a group. The seminar covers a thorough examination of Cutco, sales training, and role-playing opportunities with other teammates. New representatives learn to build rapport, identify customer needs, offer solutions, answer objections, and close a sale. They also practice listening skills and interpersonal communication throughout training.
The initial training seminar and ongoing training meetings are designed to instill confidence in representatives who may have limited work experience. While training is unpaid, most participants consider it to be a worthwhile and productive use of their time.
How do I get started?
Our representatives get started by showing Cutco to people they know. They learn how to get referrals, a key element of any business transaction and how representatives will grow their business. Our referral program is based on a "friends- of-friends" approach that has proven to be quite effective. Representatives also learn to qualify a referral's likelihood to purchase and optimize the potential for a sale. Because our representatives are independent contractors, they enjoy real flexibility and control over their own schedules. They set their own appointments based on their availability day by day.
How do I get paid?
Vector offers base pay per appointment, regardless of whether the customer purchases. An appointment is designed to take approximately an hour. In order to qualify for the base pay, each appointment must be a one-on-one presentation to an employed individual or couple. The prospective customer must be at least 30 years old.
There is no minimum number of appointments or sales required to receive the base pay. Commissions from sales are paid weekly. Representatives are guaranteed to average at least the base pay for the appointments completed regardless of sales made. This program enhances the confidence of a new representative while also maintaining a comfortable purchasing environment for our customers.
Learn more
If you or your parents have unanswered questions, visit our online FAQ:
Read more about the Vector opportunity, skill development, and professional growth:
We're committed to professional development
- We've built relationships with colleges and universities who help make our student work experience the best in North America
- Our training, mentorship, and real-world skills are unmatched by other student opportunities
- We help young people become the best versions of themselves and offer a catalog of resources to support their growth TheVectorimpact.com/learn
Meet our Academic Advisory Board
Dr. Linda Ferrell
John Roth Family Fellow of Marketing and Business Ethics, Auburn University
Dr. Victoria Crittenden
Professor of Marketing, Babson College
Dr. Joe Hair
Director, PhD Program, University of South Alabama
Dr. Derek Hassay
Adjunct Associate Professor, Assistant Professor Emeritus,
Marketing Faculty,
Executive Education Faculty,
University of Calgary
Dr. Robert A. Peterson
John T. Stuart III Centennial Chair in Business Administration, University of Texas at Austin
Dr. Michael Williams
Professor of Marketing, American Floral Services Chair in Marketing,
Oklahoma City University
Vector proudly supports these organizations
