- Location
- DeKalb, IL
- Department
- IT
- Seniority
- Senior
- Source
- ApplicantStack
Description
POSITION SUMMARY
The Technical Sales Analyst plays a key role in supporting business growth by combining technical understanding, analytical skills, and commercial awareness. This position reviews customer requirements and specifications, evaluates project applications, develops accurate technical quotations and proposals, and collaborates with internal departments to ensure proposed solutions align with customer expectations and company capabilities. The role also supports customer relationship development, pricing strategies, and overall sales objectives.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES
- Identify, qualify, and support the development of new business opportunities through proactive lead development and follow-up.
- Engage with customers to understand project objectives, technical requirements, and commercial expectations; recommend fit-for-purpose products and solutions.
- Review customer requests for quotation (RFQs), specifications, drawings, and project documentation to identify technical requirements, deviations, omissions, and potential conflicts.
- Evaluate project applications, design criteria, applicable industry standards, and customer-specific requirements to assess the suitability of proposed products and solutions.
- Prepare accurate and comprehensive proposals, quotations, and tender/submittal packages in accordance with bid requirements and deadlines.
- Coordinate with Engineering to establish appropriate design parameters, technical assumptions, and project-specific requirements; escalate items requiring engineering review or approval.
- Develop and review project cost estimates and pricing, considering materials, accessories, freight, and other project-related costs as applicable.
- Identify potential technical and commercial risks, including unusual design requirements, nonstandard applications, scope gaps, and deviations from standard offerings.
- Clearly document quotation assumptions, exclusions, clarifications, and exceptions to support alignment between customer expectations and the proposed scope of supply.
- Partner cross-functionally with Engineering, Product, Operations, and other support teams to confirm feasibility, support on-time delivery, and promote customer satisfaction.
- Maintain accurate and current pipeline data, forecasts, activities, and account notes in the customer relationship management (CRM) system.
- Track and meet assigned sales, quote-to-order, quotation accuracy, and on-time proposal performance indicators; contribute to team revenue goals.
- Monitor market trends, competitive offerings, pricing, and emerging technologies to inform proposals and sales strategy.
- Support the handoff of awarded projects from the sales and quotation phase to Engineering and project execution.
- Drive continuous improvement in proposal quality, pricing accuracy, and quotation turnaround time.
SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, including the ability to translate technical requirements into clear, commercially sound proposals.
- Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple quotations and project requests with firm deadlines.
- Clear, concise written and verbal communication skills when working with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications, customer documents, and project requirements.
- Understanding basic engineering principles, material specifications, and industrial manufacturing processes.
- Ability to perform technical and commercial comparisons of alternative project requirements and solutions.
- Proficiency with CRM and quoting tools (Salesforce and Experlogix); advanced Microsoft Excel skills are preferred.
- Familiarity with RFQ/RFP processes, tender documentation, and technical submittal requirements.
- Self-starter with sound judgment, initiative, and follow-through in a fast-paced environment.
- Preference for candidates with an educational background in Structural, Mechanical, Civil, or Engineering Technology disciplines, or equivalent technical experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Previous experience in technical sales, estimating, engineering, manufacturing, or industrial project support.
- Experience within water and wastewater, tank storage, energy, petrochemical, or industrial equipment sectors.
- Familiarity with bulk liquid storage applications, tank design and manufacturing processes, and applicable industry standards and building codes.
- Exposure to customer and industry requirements such as AWWA, API, NFPA, ASCE, or applicable building codes.
- Bachelor’s degree or diploma in Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, Civil, Structural, or related), Business, or equivalent relevant industry experience.
- Established professional network within the tank storage, water/wastewater, energy, or industrial sectors is an asset.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
- Ability to read, interpret, and understand company and customer drawings, specifications, technical documents, and written project requirements.
- Ability to prepare professional correspondence, technical clarifications, routine reports, and quotations.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Ability to perform calculations involving whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percentages, unit conversions, dimensions, quantities, weights, and pricing. Ability to analyze numerical information and identify discrepancies.REASONING ABILITY
- Apply common-sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
- Evaluate technical and commercial information, identify inconsistencies, and recognize potential project risks.
- Exercise sound judgment when making routine decisions and recognize when engineering, management, or other internal review is required.