Project Support Specialist

Border States • Maple Grove, MN

1d • $34 - $46

About The Position

The Project Support Specialist provides foundational technical understanding and project coordination for complex customer projects. This role bridges the gap between Project Manager and Project Account Manager by taking on higher-value tasks such as technical review, documentation management, risk identification, and partial ownership of customer-facing deliverables. This is a developmental role designed to build technical proficiency, customer interaction experience, and project execution capability for advancement.

Requirements

• Minimum of a business or trade degree preferred or the equivalent in work experience.
• 2+ years of prior customer service, quotation, or sales experience.
• Requires the ability to read, write and speak in English.
• Prefer strong working knowledge of PC for Windows, Microsoft Office (Excel, Word and PowerPoint), internet, email, and SAP software.

Nice To Haves

• Strong knowledge of electrical products and utility systems, preferred.
• Comprehensive knowledge of product lines and applications, alternate product substitutes, and supplier pricing policies, preferred.
• Proficiency in quoting software, preferred.
• Strong technical ability to understand electrical systems and product applications with prior electrical distribution experience, preferred.
• Technical ability to read specifications and drawings is highly preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication, reading, and customer service skills.
• Ability to effectively plan and organize and work well on a team.
• Demonstrated initiative, attention to detail, and willingness to escalate risk appropriately.
• Possesses a customer service mindset: competent, accurate, responsive, and engaged.

Responsibilities

• Reviews and validates bills of material (BOMs), drawings, and specifications for accuracy prior handoff.
• Conducts basic material takeoffs for assigned scopes and helps identify material gaps, alternates, and technical solutions.
• Assists in preparing quotations, coordinating vendor pricing, and documenting competitive alternatives.
• Prepares customer-facing documentation including project status updates, delivery schedules, and technical submittal packages.
• Participates in customer and vendor meetings; may lead small portions of the discussion related to documentation, schedules, or open items.
• Proactively identifies customer concerns, schedule issues, or material risks and escalates them appropriately.
• Manages detailed project documentation including schedules, order logs, meeting notes, submittal tracking, RFIs, and change coordination.
• Monitors project workflow for delays, discrepancies, or risks and recommends corrective action to PMs or Account Managers.
• Coordinates closely with Project Coordinators, purchasing, logistics, and vendors to ensure alignment on material needs and timelines.
• Assists with vendor quoting, order accuracy review, order entry, and material expediting when appropriate.
• Supports portions of project budget tracking or margin verification as directed by Project Managers or Account Managers (without independent ownership).
• Provides technical support to internal teams regarding product selection, specification alignment, and substitution options.
• Provides temporary project coverage during staff absences ensuring continuity of communication and documentation.
• Participates in process improvement initiatives.
• Assists with vendor negotiations for best pricing and delivery of products to customers and/or jobsites.
• Sets up customer meetings, maintains and uploads negotiated pricing into bidding software and provides invoices.
• Documents missed opportunities.
• Participates in some or all of the following: product application and support, estimating, procurement, material management, staging, kitting, storage, job site delivery, and project close out.
• Contacts vendors for pricing and assists with trade shows as needed.
• Attends training programs, as required.
• Writes orders in SAP and delivers material.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor or designate.

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 and more!
• Border States provides bonuses to their employee-owners upon the achievement of branch and company goals.

What This Job Offers

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