Horizontal Directional Drilling Sales Specialist

Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) is a steerable method of installing underground pipelines, cables, and conduits in a prescribed bore path by using a surface launched rig with minimal environmental impact on the surface area. The HDD Tooling Specialist is responsible for an assigned geographic territory to develop, grow and sell HDD tooling and accessories for down-hole drills, steering equipment and products used in day-to-day drilling projects, the pull back of various sized conduits, and on-site parts education. Including HDD service inspections for preventative maintenance and necessary service to improve machine health. The HDD Tooling Specialist educates customers on the appropriate hours of use, explaining how utilizing the correct tooling increases productivity and reduces overall costs.

Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Communicates current and future product offerings, technological initiatives and product enhancements, new product introduction and market strategies.

• Provides suggested solutions for unique needs of drilling projects.

• Establishes and maintains customer relationships, provides exceptional customer service, and recommends accessories based on customer need, cost, availability and specifications.

• Seeks to understand customers business models to influence key players.

• Conducts market research regarding customers, establishing market drivers, needs of the market, and the dissemination of information back to Vermeer Texas-Louisiana organization.

• Aligns sales plan with sales forecast and sales strategy.

• Knowledge of proper bore rig set-up, fluid mixing, and down-hole tooling to maximize daily production.

• May demonstrate products that locate underground utilities and pipelines, may initially monitor locating process during drilling, and may provide field training and consultation on product information.

• Ability to read blueprints for underground utilities and piping.

• Promotes and reinforces Vermeer image as a total solution provider.

• Analyzes product versatility, accuracy, and enhancements.

• Makes suggestions to resolve customer issues, at times researching complex data to provide alternative solutions to issues.

• Works independently but may partner with sales, parts and service subject matter experts on unusual and complex problems or issues and to facilitate leads and assist in the sales process.

• May provide general guidance and direction to or mentor/train new sales specialists.

• May sell service programs to assigned customers, promote and sell machine maintenance programs, machine repair programs, inspection and appraisal programs and oil sampling programs.

• Completes all reporting requirements as per company guidelines and meets all compliance requirements. 

•  Ability to estimate production rates, factoring in reduction of associated costs of restrictions, extra support equipment and labor requirements.

• May assist in development of product aids to share with customers.

•  Represents the Company at factory, industry and company events, including meetings and training.

•  Follows all safety rules and regulations while performing work assignments and adheres to all policies and procedures as specified in company manuals and as directed in the employee handbook.

•  Performs all other duties as assigned by management in a professional and efficient manner.

•  Class A driver’s license required.

•  The individual in this position should be personable, highly motivated, a problem solver, reliable, ethical, intelligent, and able to adapt to all of the forces around them - customers, suppliers, department employees, co-workers and manufacturers employees. It is extremely important that this individual have strong knowledge of Horizontal Directional Drilling, selling skills and interpersonal communications skills.

Desired Skills and Experience:

• High school diploma, GED or vocational training/certification

• Engineering, Mechanical or Technical degree or certificate preferred or equivalent experience in Horizontal Directional Drilling

• Must have strong knowledge of Horizontal Directional Drilling, interpersonal, technical, and selling skills, be highly motivated, a problem solver, reliable and ethical.

• Must communicate professionally, respectfully, and honestly with customers and co-workers at all times and communication is to be clear and language is to be profanity free and professional, while employee demeanor is to be calm and composed.  

• Must be able to lift at least 50 lbs., stand, walk, use hands and fingers, handle, feel, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, talk and hear.  

• May be required to climb, balance, and sit for an undetermined period of time. 

• May be exposed to extreme weather elements, including wet and/or humid conditions, extreme cold and extreme heat, moving mechanical parts and equipment, and noise level in working environment can be moderate to high.

• Background check and pre-employment drug testing required.

• Personal appearance must be neat and clean.

• Certain positions require a valid driver's license and ability to meet requirements of the Company Driver Policy; the Company will review motor vehicle records annually for all employees for whom driving a motor vehicle is an essential job function or when employees must obtain and drive rental vehicles during the course of conducting company business.