Sales Associate

Mandel Metals • Franklin Park, IL

52d • $90,000 - $110,000

About The Position

At Mandel Metals, we believe that sales is about more than just moving product—it’s about market expertise, strategic negotiation, and building the partnerships that fuel American manufacturing. We are looking for a Sales Associate who thrives in a fast-paced commercial environment and is ready to transition from "order taker" to "strategic advisor." If you are a proactive problem-solver with a sharp eye for margins and a drive for long-term account growth, join a team where your impact is visible every single day. Mandel Metals Mandel Metals Inc. is a premier leader in the aluminum distribution industry. With a reputation built on over 50 years of excellence, we specialize in providing high-quality aluminum sheet, coil, and plate to diverse sectors, including aerospace, automotive, and industrial manufacturing. Headquartered in the Chicago area with a national reach, we pride ourselves on our deep inventory, precision processing capabilities, and an unwavering commitment to customer service. At Mandel Metals, you’re joining a family-owned legacy that operates with the speed and sophistication of a global powerhouse. What You Will Do The Sales Associate serves as the primary point of contact for assigned accounts and is responsible for driving revenue growth, maximizing profitability, and delivering exceptional customer service. This role develops and maintains strong relationships with new and existing customers, converts inquiries into orders, manages inventory and order execution, and identifies new business opportunities. The ideal candidate is proactive, detail-oriented, commercially driven, and knowledgeable in metals distribution, with the ability to balance customer advocacy, operational coordination, and margin performance. Account Management & Customer Relationships: Serve as the primary contact for assigned accounts, building long-term, trusted relationships with customers, stakeholders, and executive sponsors. Develop a deep understanding of customer needs, applications, and usage patterns to recommend value-driven solutions. Proactively identify opportunities to grow existing accounts and expand market share. Anticipate customer needs, address service concerns, and ensure long-term customer satisfaction and retention. Conduct cold calls, follow up on leads, and develop new business from both existing and prospective customers. Quoting, Pricing & Order Management: Generate accurate and timely quotes, ensuring pricing reflects all cost factors and targeted gross margins. Prepare, review, and maintain quote documentation, contracts, and order records. Process sales orders, returns, credits, debits, and scrap returns accurately and promptly. Monitor order status and proactively intervene to ensure on-time and complete delivery. Communicate delays or service issues to customers and work to minimize impact. Negotiate contracts and close agreements to maximize profitability. Inventory & Operational Coordination: Monitor inventory levels, hold-and-release programs, and special purchase requirements to support customer demand. Review stock positions to anticipate excess or aged inventory and recommend corrective action. Coordinate with Production, Operations, Shipping, Purchasing, and Credit to ensure smooth order fulfillment. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of plant workload, stock availability, delivery schedules, and market conditions. Support quality initiatives, vendor coordination, and resolution of claims in accordance with company policies. Financial & Performance Accountability: Take ownership of account profitability, reviewing gross margin performance and identifying improvement opportunities. Consider freight, handling, processing, and utilization factors when developing quotes. Prepare call reports and monthly account status updates, analyzing sales data to track progress toward quotas. Monitor competitor products and pricing trends. Communication & Service Excellence: Respond promptly to customer inquiries via phone, email, and other communication channels. Provide technical product assistance and guidance where required. Maintain accurate documentation and ensure strong attention to detail in all transactions. Support customer satisfaction initiatives and uphold company service standards. Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure a seamless customer experience. Who You Are The ideal candidate is a proactive strategic advisor who enjoys the thrill of a high-stakes negotiation as much as they love building long-term, trusted partnerships. You are someone with a sharp eye for margins and a results-driven mindset who finds genuine satisfaction in solving complex logistical puzzles for manufacturers. Professional and detail-oriented, you thrive in a fast-paced environment where your ability to balance commercial grit with exceptional customer service makes you a visible leader on the team.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 2+ years of inside sales, account management, or metals industry experience preferred.
• Strong negotiation, selling, and closing skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks.
• High attention to detail and solid mathematical aptitude.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) and ERP/order entry systems.
• Self-motivated, results-driven, and capable of working independently and in a team environment.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of metals manufacturing and distribution (including aluminum, red metals, aerospace, or related products) is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary contact for assigned accounts, building long-term, trusted relationships with customers, stakeholders, and executive sponsors.
• Develop a deep understanding of customer needs, applications, and usage patterns to recommend value-driven solutions.
• Proactively identify opportunities to grow existing accounts and expand market share.
• Anticipate customer needs, address service concerns, and ensure long-term customer satisfaction and retention.
• Conduct cold calls, follow up on leads, and develop new business from both existing and prospective customers.
• Generate accurate and timely quotes, ensuring pricing reflects all cost factors and targeted gross margins.
• Prepare, review, and maintain quote documentation, contracts, and order records.
• Process sales orders, returns, credits, debits, and scrap returns accurately and promptly.
• Monitor order status and proactively intervene to ensure on-time and complete delivery.
• Communicate delays or service issues to customers and work to minimize impact.
• Negotiate contracts and close agreements to maximize profitability.
• Monitor inventory levels, hold-and-release programs, and special purchase requirements to support customer demand.
• Review stock positions to anticipate excess or aged inventory and recommend corrective action.
• Coordinate with Production, Operations, Shipping, Purchasing, and Credit to ensure smooth order fulfillment.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of plant workload, stock availability, delivery schedules, and market conditions.
• Support quality initiatives, vendor coordination, and resolution of claims in accordance with company policies.
• Take ownership of account profitability, reviewing gross margin performance and identifying improvement opportunities.
• Consider freight, handling, processing, and utilization factors when developing quotes.
• Prepare call reports and monthly account status updates, analyzing sales data to track progress toward quotas.
• Monitor competitor products and pricing trends.
• Respond promptly to customer inquiries via phone, email, and other communication channels.
• Provide technical product assistance and guidance where required.
• Maintain accurate documentation and ensure strong attention to detail in all transactions.
• Support customer satisfaction initiatives and uphold company service standards.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure a seamless customer experience.

Benefits

• The total compensation for this position, including base salary and target variable compensation, is $90,000-$110,000 annually. This role is also eligible for a discretionary bonus.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• 401(k) plan with a generous company match.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level