Inside Sales Representative

Aston Carter•Roanoke, VA

14d•$28 - $43•Onsite

About The Position

The Inside Sales Representative drives profitable growth, strengthens customer relationships, and supports complex sales processes for fasteners and industrial hardware, with a focus on aerospace, defense, and government contract customers. The role manages customer accounts, responds to inquiries, prepares quotations, and processes orders accurately while following applicable federal, defense, and commercial fastener requirements and contract clauses. It combines technical product knowledge, customer service, and analytical skills to improve customer experience, retention, and sales results. This position is fully onsite in Roanoke, Virginia, on a standard 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. schedule. It is part of a dedicated Defense and Aerospace inside sales team of approximately 15 people, with close cross-functional interaction in a collaborative, engaging, family-oriented environment. Work involves computers, Microsoft Office, ERP and CRM systems, and phone, email, fax, and chat. Professional office attire is appropriate; occasional lifting or moving of items up to 25 pounds may be required in coordination with warehouse and logistics activities. The position is contract to hire. The pay range is $28.00–$43.00 per hour. Benefits may be available subject to eligibility and applicable plan terms.

Requirements

Minimum 35 years of customer service, inside sales, or related experience, as stated in the posting.
Experience with government contracts or related backgrounds.
Intermediate to advanced proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint.
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills for data analysis, reporting, and pricing.
Ability to read, analyze, and understand customer purchase orders, drawings, and vendor-supplied reference material.
Experience sourcing and procuring industrial hardware.
Intermediate technical understanding of fasteners and industrial hardware.
Strong customer service skills and ability to manage inside sales and account management activities.
Ability to analyze data and make decisions that positively affect customers and the business.
Ability to upsell products and services consultatively.
Ability to prepare and deliver professional written, computer-generated, or verbal quotations and recommendations.
Clear, concise verbal communication skills for phone and in-person interactions.
Excellent judgment and decision-making skills in customer and internal matters.
Ability to establish credibility, respect, and trust with colleagues and customers.
Ability to motivate employees, foster teamwork, and assist with resolving conflict.
Customer service, inside sales, and account management experience in aerospace and defense environments.
Proficiency in general sales support activities and vendor management.
Strong organization and attention to detail for data entry, records, and CRM updates.
Ability to occasionally lift, carry, or move up to 25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Prophet 21 (P21) or similar ERP systems.
Experience with vendor management systems.
Prior exposure to aerospace and defense inside sales environments.
Comfort working with customer portals for demand, quote requests, and corrective actions.
Ability to learn and apply training in reading and interpreting customer prints and drawings.
Demonstrated ability to mentor and train team members.
Strategic thinking and a record of creative, innovative problem-solving.
Experience in a fast-paced, data-driven sales support environment.

Responsibilities

Meet established KPIs related to sales performance, customer service, and account management.
Follow company pricing and margin guidelines, research profitability concerns, and address them as appropriate.
Support customer acquisition, activation, and retention through proactive communication and customer support.
Represent the company professionally and courteously to customers, vendors, and internal teams.
Use technical knowledge of fasteners and industrial hardware to support customers and prepare quotations.
Follow federal government, defense, and commercial fastener requirements and apply relevant FAR and DFARS clauses when reviewing and processing orders.
Support customer retention by troubleshooting fulfillment issues and providing a smooth customer experience.
Serve as an escalation point for non-routine customer needs, partnering with leadership on complex or sensitive matters.
Resolve one-time-buy needs and improve service efficiency and profitability.
Support and mentor other discrete/unplanned Inside Sales team members, including providing training opportunities.
Perform data entry, quote support, record management, research, warehouse logistics coordination, and shipment scheduling according to defined processes.
Maintain customer master data, including shipping conditions, blanket order requirements, contacts, CRM data, prior-day invoicing, and order entry.
Manage accounts proactively and advance opportunities through the sales pipeline.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve customer issues and improve satisfaction.
Manage customer portals for demand, quote requests, and corrective actions, keeping information accurate and complete.
Build strong customer relationships and act as a trusted consultative advisor for assigned accounts.
Use sound judgment in handling customer requests, pricing, and problem resolution.
Apply strategic and creative problem-solving to customer and internal-process challenges.
Contact customers proactively about upcoming requirements and forecasts, and identify opportunities for additional products or services.
Learn to read customer prints and drawings through available training and apply that knowledge to quotations and product recommendations.
Recommend and identify internal process improvements that enhance efficiency, service quality, and profitability.
Respond promptly and accurately to requests by phone, fax, email, or chat.
Prepare and deliver professional written, computer-generated, or verbal quotations and recommendations that reflect technical and commercial requirements.
Analyze customer activity, pricing, and product-usage data to inform decisions benefiting customers and the business.
Support vendor management activities and systems, and assist with sourcing and procuring industrial hardware and fasteners to meet demand and contractual obligations.
Contribute to a positive team environment by supporting collaboration, motivation, and conflict resolution.