Plant Sales Representative

JOB SUMMARY

Howmet Aerospace - Branford, CT is growing their team and sharpening their skills. The Company’s primary business focuses on jet engine components necessary for mission-critical performance and efficiency in aerospace and defense applications. Howmet Aerospace is transforming the next phase of more fuel-efficient and quieter aerospace engines. For more information, visit www.howmet.com .

This position acts as a customer service advocate, both as primary plant contact for customer specific issues and primary customer contact for plant specific issues. Key responsibilities include purchase order management, quotation management, forecast maintenance and coordination/resolution of open items associated with his/her account portfolio. The negotiation of commercial issues, as well as the formulation, maintenance and communication of key customer projects internally and externally is an important facet of this position. The Plant Sales Representative must also strive to attain and enhance customer relationships.

ROLES

• Liaison -connects customers to the enterprise; furnishes customer information to planning and execution functions and relevant information to customers, creating continuous feedback loops; negotiates between stakeholder groups as needed
• Facilitator -ensures timely processing and booking of customer orders; sets expectations and deadlines; follows up with stakeholder groups; seeks status toward fulfillment; provides fuel to keep things moving and establish momentum
• Relationship and communication -interacts with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders; facilitates communication and information exchange between stakeholders; speaks the language of the business and the language of the customer; protects interests such as IP, yet advocates for the customer; emphasizes common goals; builds rapport
• Organization and structure -detail and follow through oriented; adheres to systems and timelines; handles significant data input; monitors inputs and feedback; creates backups and manages documentation; facilitates access through technology
• Completion oriented -knows when and where to get information that ultimately informs delivery; every interaction points toward understanding capability and fulfilling commitments to customers
• Service and responsiveness -first point of contact for feedback; helps internal stakeholders perform better with customer insights; helps external stakeholders by providing their internal voice; thinks critically and prioritizes well; timely in response and action
• Business awareness -understands commercial strategy and processes that support it; recognizes role and contribution toward critical metrics such as revenue and margin; manages short- and long-term projects
• Influence -persuades without direct reporting authority; willing to have tough conversations; operates with a global mindset and demonstrates cultural sensitivity; individualizes and customizes to achieve outcomes

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Owner of customer portfolio.
• Manages tooling forecast for assigned customer portfolio to ensure monthly targets are met.
• Negotiate commercial issues that may arise.
• Purchase Order Management: ensure customer POs are issued, assist quality and engineering with BOM issues, and make sure POs are booked in a timely matter.
• Manage Account Receivable balances. Includes: following up on outstanding AR, coordination with Finance Department, and pull-on Account Management team to assist with lagging issues.
• Maintain and enhance customer relationships.
• Fields and promptly responds to inquiries from customers regarding status of key projects, open orders, and any unresolved issues. Communication with customers could be by telephone, written correspondence, or visitation (to and/or by).
• Quotation management: coordinates internal review of customer quotations and new business proposals, including initial review of project potential with Sales Support Manager; preparation of cost models with Estimator, Engineering, and Manufacturing; and preparation of a “near final” proposal for Plant Manager, Account Manager, and VP of Business Unit.
• Coordinates customer visitations and develops detailed agendas for meetings.
• Collaborates with plant engineering to provide cost models and detailed program background in support of long-term contract proposals/negotiations.
• Prepares three-year Long-Range Plan utilizing based-line data provided by Commercial Sales and individual customers. Participates/assists in business plan and budget preparations with Finance and Plant Management
• Responsible for the management of one Production Planner.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS degree from an accredited institution.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in customer service, sales, or production control/planning role.
• Employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Preferred candidate will possess experience in aerospace working in a sales, marketing, or customer relations capacity.
• BS Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or Management from an accredited institution.
• Must be highly proficient with Microsoft Office applications including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, MS Access. PowerBI knowledge desired.
• Effective oral and written communication skills are mandatory.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.
• Mastery of basic cost and math skills applicable to commercial transactions. Applies percentages, ratio, and analysis as required.
• Mechanical aptitude.
• Self-starting, detail-oriented person capable of planning and managing a portfolio of customer projects.
• Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills.
• Ability to quickly form productive relationships to “get things done” both internally and externally.

Salary & Benefits

• Base salary of $110,000 to $125,000, depending on experience
• Full benefits package—medical, dental, and vision —starting day one
• 401(k) with immediate vesting and employer contributions