Outside Sales

Classification: Exempt

Reports to: Branch Manager

Summary

This position is responsible for promoting the company's products and services and for building relationships with new and existing accounts. The main focus is to help the company’s customers succeed while achieving sales and profit goals established by the business unit. A successful outside sale representative (OSR) will use a "sales hunter" mindset to ultimately close new business through lead generation and nurturing. As an OSR, you will be on the front line of the sales cycle and develop a persistent sales strategy that will win more business.

Essential Functions/Duties

1. Sell company products and services to existing customers by establishing and maintaining relationships with key decision makers within the customer’s organization.
2. Ability to make product recommendations, providing information to solve customer problems, providing technical support, conducting demonstrations and taking orders.
3. Prepare quotes for customer projects. Generate new business within existing customers by probing for additional information of customer needs to ensure complete penetration of customer accounts.
4. Expand customer base and create new customers by reviewing business directories for potential customers, making cold calls on possible new accounts, following up on leads from vendors and from trade shows, presenting the company’s products and services to decision makers and asking for an opportunity to serve their needs.

Competencies

1. Must possess an active, unexpired driver’s license, a clear Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) and possess the capacity to safely operate a vehicle on a regular and reoccurring basis. 
2. Strong customer service and interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships is required.
3. Capacity to always present in a manner that is not a distraction to the business that is being conducted including but not limited to clear and concise speech, professional dress and grooming, and appropriate body language.
4. Ability to communicate, present facts and provide recommendations effectively in oral and written form.
5. Ability to foster and maintain close working relationships both within and outside of the organization.
6. Strong organizational skills that reflect the ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent attention to detail.
7. Proven ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
8. Ability to work effectively with or without direct supervision as well as independently or in a team environment
9. Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook applications.
10. Strong verbal and written communication skills including, presenting information to leadership and customers, contributing useful information to a conversation and the ability to discern what someone is requesting and anticipate those needs.

Physical/Cognitive Demands

Although this is largely a sedentary role; climbing stairs and walking long distances (over uneven surfaces) to/within our facility, customer facilities and in social environments while entertaining customers or potential clients is required on a frequent and reoccurring basis. A BFOQ for an outside sales person is the ability to safely operate a motor vehicle as frequent travel is required. This includes driving both alone (on customer calls) and while escorting customers and potential clients (such as to lunch/dinner meetings). The position also requires the ability to lift boxes, open filing cabinets and bend or stand as necessary. Cognitive abilities required include deductive reasoning, information ordering, oral comprehension, oral expression, problem sensitivity, written comprehension, and written expression.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position. Hours and days vary depending on workload.

Required Education and Experience

1. 3 years Industrial Sales experience 
2. 2-3 years’ experience or training in industrial wholesale distribution; preferably in the metal fastener industry
3. 2-3 years of outside sales experience

Preferred Education and Experience

1. 2-3 years’ experience in a similar role preferred
2. Manufacturing and Sales organization experience a plus

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.