Account Specialist

Description

Summary:

The National Contractor Account Specialist plays a crucial role in supporting our purpose of being our customers’ competitive advantage by servicing our customers’ needs. The position is responsible for the sale of our products and services to business and construction and contractor establishments or individuals over the telephone, in the office and occasionally at the customer location. This position is seen as a leader among our insides sales role at Van Meter and assists with our business growth strategy. The successful candidate will work closely with our account managers and sales leaders to develop and deliver customer services that promote and support our products. The Sr. Inside Sales Representative promote our culture, our 5 P’s and our purpose to be our customer’s competitive advantage.

Key Responsibilities & Essential Functions:

• Service our National Contractor accounts
• Service the construction/contractor establishment and/or the original equipment manufacturer customers by providing projects or information on products or services
• Manage both inbound and outbound sales communication both internally and externally and resolves customer problems and issues
• Assist customers with product selection and application
• Emphasize salable features, quote prices and credit terms, prepare sales orders for orders obtained
• Possess significant and specific industry knowledge and is a subject matter expert
• Participates in interviewing, selection, and training of employees new to the inside sales role
• Empowered to recommend and make decisions in the best interest of the overall business relationship
• Plays an integral part of business strategy including but not limited to account strategy, support practices, and assignment of key account deliverables
• Empowered to make significant business and commercial decisions on behalf of the company
• Provides specific market intelligence and expert advice to management
• Proactively drive sales growth within account responsibility
• Establishes and maintains customer specific pricing. Control pricing strategy on large competitive quote opportunities
• Owns and manages relationship with customer to foster growth within account
• Proactively participates in margin improvement activities and works with Account Manager and suppliers to maximize the profitability of the sell.
• Develops a partnership with vendors that provides opportunity for consideration for major customers on product, availability, delivery, etc.
• Drives specifications at end user and customer level to position Van Meter on large projects
• Develops local and centralized inventory strategy to support customer
• Identifies and closes large opportunities in designated market area
• Provides mentorship, guidance and coaching to others on team
• Assists in scheduling of operations, delivery, and other support resources
• Involvement in short, medium and long term business strategy for assigned accounts and given market place

Requirements

Critical Success Factors:

• Ability to independently make sound business decisions on matters that have significant financial impact
• Ability to independently make timely decisions without consultation to service customer in a timely manner
• Excellent customer orientation
• Ability to negotiate effectively at a high level and build strong relationships with customers, vendors and suppliers
• Drive for continuous improvement
• Strong troubleshooting and problem solving skills
• Ability to understand the technical aspects of our products and uses that knowledge to enhance value-added selling skills
• Self motivated
• Ability to multi-task and juggle multiple priorities with strict deadlines
• Ability to analyze, identify & then follow up to resolve discrepancies
• Detailed-Oriented
• Strong work ethic with a positive attitude

Job Requirements/Specifications:

• Minimum 2 years degree and 4-6 years of industry experience required
• Previous experience in customer service required
• Microsoft Excel skills are essential
• Knowledge of Eclipse preferred
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills via phone, email and in person are required
• Maximizes the used of our system capabilities
• Knowledge and experience with Allen Bradley/Rockwell Automation part and distribution is required
• Proven negotiation skills required

Work Environment & Physical Demands:

Consistent: Sitting, working with hands, working with fingers, talking, hearing, vision acuity-near, works alone, customer contact, works indoors

Frequent: Vision acuity-far, field of vision, color vision

Some: standing, works with others, depth perception, vision adjustment

Occasional: walking. lifting, carrying, reaching

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by an incumbent. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of activities, duties or responsibilities. Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities

Several factors are considered in making compensation decisions at Van Meter; including but not limited to education, skill sets, work experience and training, and other business and organizational needs. Please note that compensation may be below the lower end of the range when the minimum requirements of the role are not met and the higher end is reserved for candidates with extensive experience and qualifications that exceed the requirements of the role.