Product Specialist

Border States • Salina, KS

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The Product Specialist promotes sales, secures orders, and provides quality service to our customers. Consults with customers on product and system applications and provides customers with follow-up on quotations and technical inquiries, and specialist product support. Participates in marketing, planning and sale of Border States technical products and services, advises management on the implementation and success of marketing plans and strategies. Evaluates new products and makes recommendations on stock levels for new and existing products. Provides field trouble shooting assistance, training and information/documentation support.

Requirements

• Minimum of a 4-year technical or engineering degree preferred or the equivalent in work experience.
• Minimum of 4 years of prior customer service, marketing, quotation or sales experience preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of prior electrical distribution and quotations experience preferred with a comprehensive knowledge of Border States product lines and applications.
• Knowledge and technical competence in understanding electrical and hi-tech industrial products and applications including industrial automation software and hardware.
• Prefer strong working knowledge of PC for Windows, Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Access and PowerPoint), internet, email, and SAP software.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication, and customer service skills are preferred with the ability to effectively plan and organize.
• Excellent customer service skills include being competent, accurate, responsive, and engaged.

Responsibilities

• Works closely with Border States’ sales and marketing staff to meet and exceed sales and gross profit objectives.
• Consults with customers on product and system applications.
• Provides customers with timely follow-up on quotations, technical inquiries and other requests.
• Provides continuous contact and interaction with customer’s engineering staff, contractors and consultants.
• Provides specific or specialized product support for branches and customers.
• Inputs TCCM cost savings documentation that is relevant to the assigned customer base.
• Actively participates in the marketing, planning, and sale of Border States’ technical products and services.
• Participates in and advises management on the implementation and success of marketing plans and strategies.
• Consistently provides responsive, quality service to meet and exceed customer expectations.
• Provides input to other sales and marketing staff on customer needs and concerns regarding pricing, products, competition, procedures, and market potential.
• Evaluates new products and makes recommendations on stock levels for new and existing products.
• Provides input to the pricing and purchasing departments on product evaluations and code descriptions, inventory management, pricing developments, and other related functions.
• Performs product updates and new product launches for branches and customers as required.
• Leads customer and Border States employee training on new and existing technical product lines and applications in specified product areas.
• Provides field trouble shooting assistance, training and information/documentation support.
• Conducts product application assessments including TCCM savings, alternatives to materials, equipment, methods and practices, and regional, industry, national standards for material, equipment and apparatus.
• Designs, develops and/or maintains database and documentation files such as engineering and technical records, TCCM savings, customer parts database by SKU including technical reference information (guides, specs and standards), product and vendor files, technical reference library, and customer information file.
• Evaluates demo equipment and makes recommendations for new products in specified product areas.
• Ensures existing demos are in functional condition.
• Attends and assists with sales meetings, trade shows and training programs as needed.

Benefits

• Health, Dental and Vision Benefits
• Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity
• FSA & HSA
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Disability Benefits
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Volunteer Time
• Personal Leave time
• bonuses to their employee-owners upon the achievement of branch and company goals

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree