Outside Sales Representative

The position requires a self-directed work schedule to successfully perform job duties with regular travel. You must be organized, have professional communication skills, and be very self motivated to be successful within this fast-pace industry. This position is for the Twin Cities Metro territory.

Objectives:

This position is primarily responsible for developing, maintaining, and growing business relationships with customers in a sales territory. This position will work with customers of varying size, from small woodworking shops to Key Accounts. An outside sales representative is to provide products and services that meet customer needs, while providing premier customer service and support. This position also helps to ensure that individual and company sales and profit goals are met. The pay structure for this job is base plus commission.

Primary Responsibilities:

* Develop business relationships with existing and potential new customers

* Understand customer business models and product needs

* Understand related industry terminology, product assembly, and machinery technology.

* Possesses advanced business acumen and technical and/or mechanical knowledge.

* Uses knowledge of manufacturing economics to communicate costs, identify cost drivers, and develop solutions

* Develop manufacturing solutions for customers that meet or exceed their requirements

* Function as subject-matter expert and resource on all product lines and technology that we provide.

* Work with customer to show tangible cost-savings and value of machinery.

* Assist the vendor and customer with factory acceptance tests, and pre-sale sample testing.

* Provide territory & customer progress feedback.

* Responsible for contacting and interacting with prospective new customers and following up on vendor leads.

* Occasionally work with lending companies to assist potential customers with the purchasing process.

* Maintain relationships with vendors to help grow their portfolio. Provides regular account updates to satisfy vendor requirements.

* Maintain established margin objectives

* Understand vendor tools, machinery, and service pricing and product application/function to serve as a liaison to achieve continued and additional sales for our vendors.

* Maintain accurate sales records and quotes.

* Perform post sale follow ups with customers and vendors.

* Develop a personal business plan with annual goals.

* Travel daily through the territory. National travel for training, machinery run offs, and trade shows will be approximately 4-6 weeks spread throughout the year.

Other Responsibilities:

* Consult with manager and leadership team to identify and solve potential problems

* Work closely with other co-workers on projects

* Work with the accounting department to help ensure receivables are current and communicates all project costs.

* Attend product training, seminars, and other educational opportunities to advance skills

* Attend industry trade shows, exhibitions, etc.

* Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications & Requirements:

* Highschool or GED required

* Bachelor's degree or associate's degree preferred

* 3+ years of outside sales preferred

* Interest in woodworking and/or cabinetry is helpful

* Experience in manufacturing or industrial sales preferred

* Proven track record of managing and growing an industrial sales territory preferred

* Ability to quickly build relationships with key decision-makers and end users

* Must be able to work at all levels within the customer account (operations, end users, purchasing, engineering, upper management, department-heads, etc.)

* Ability to operate a personal computer, including use of Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, Power Point, Outlook, etc.)

* Ability to effectively use databases and other similar on-line systems and related software

* Be able to physically visit customer locations throughout a specified territory

* Be able to physically lift small products weighing up to 50 pounds.

Required Competencies & Behaviors:

* Customer Service - Responds promptly to customer needs and fulfills commitments

* Interpersonal Skills - Is respectful and able to relate well with others

* Oral Communication - Responds well to questions; demonstrates ability to convey message

* Written Communication - Able to read, interpret, and convey information effectively and timely

* Teamwork - Able to work effectively on a team, giving and welcoming feedback

* Analytical - Uses facts, intuition, data, and experience to make decisions

* Problem Solving - Gathers & analyzes information; identifies & resolves problems

* Technical Skills - Pursues training and development; shares expertise with others

* Mechanical Skills - Pursues training and learning opportunities

* Change Management - Is open to change and supports others affected by change

* Cost Consciousness - Uses organizational resources wisely and effectively

* Diversity - Shows respect and sensitivity towards differences of others

* Ethics - Works with integrity and performs work honestly

* Organizational Support - Follows policies & procedures; supports organization's goals & values

* Strategic Thinking - Adapts strategy to changing conditions

* Judgment - Exhibits sound decisions; explains logic and involves others

* Motivation - Demonstrates desire to succeed and achieve excellence

* Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes work activities; manages time and projects; sets goals and action plans

* Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; reacts well under pressure; represents the company and our vendors in a quality manor.

* Quality - Demonstrates accuracy & thoroughness; looks for ways to improve quality

* Adaptability - Adapts to change; able to deal with change, delays, or unexpected events

* Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work, meetings, appointments on time

* Dependability - Follows instructions and completes work as directed

* Initiative/ Resourceful - Asks for help and finds answers when needed; looks for additional work to occupy their time.

* Design - Generates creative solutions; uses feedback to modify designs; has attention to detail

* Learning - Willingness to continued learning and growth throughout career; shares new lessons learned with others.