Strategic Accounts Associate

Sonepar•Allen Township, PA

About The Position

Strategic Accounts Associates support selling efforts to key customers by performing various duties including customer service order entry, sales support tasks, client research, meeting preparations, and responding to customer RFQs. They communicate directly with customers to understand client goals and project requirements, and support the overall Strategic Accounts selling effort from a corporate perspective. The role requires practicing good interpersonal relations, handling customer difficulties with diplomacy, and continuously developing technical knowledge of merchandise. Associates will determine merchandise needs, utilize appropriate pricing systems, communicate with customers via phone or in person, describe or demonstrate products, solicit sales of new or additional products, prepare lists of prospective customers, and provide quotations or estimates. Other special projects or duties as assigned may also be part of the role.

Requirements

Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, such as Excel, Word, Teams, PowerPoint
Effective verbal and written communication skills
Ability to prioritize and manage time effectively
Ability to collaborate with others and work effectively in a team environment
Strong interpersonal skills and professional demeanor
Strong problem-solving skills to address customer issues

Nice To Haves

Associate's degree (B. A.) or equivalent from two-year college or technical school
Two to four years related experience and/or training
Equivalent combination of education and experience

Responsibilities

Provide support with customer service order entry functions for orders received via the Internet as well as other sources.
Assist in sales support tasks, including client research, meeting preparations and reports.
Communicate directly with customers and understand client goals and project requirements.
Provide support in responding to customer RFQs (Request for Quote) by communicating Irby capabilities as they relate to customer requirements and determining competitive price levels.
Support the overall Strategic Accounts selling effort from a corporate perspective.
Practice good interpersonal relations, using tact, courtesy, a positive attitude toward customers and co-workers, pleasant telephone etiquette, and a general attitude as a representative of goodwill on behalf of the company at work or during company travel.
Handle difficulties with customers, vendors and coworkers with diplomacy and seeks assistance when needed.
Acquire, use and continuously develop personal technical knowledge of general and specialty merchandise items to assist customers and other company personnel.
Determine the make, type and quality of merchandise desired by being familiar with products sold in the department by use, vendor, location in warehouse, catalog and catalog number, other reference materials, and special selling points.
Identify and utilize appropriate company and/or customer pricing systems.
Communicate with customers via phone or in person to receive orders for products, or handles orders received via the Internet or EDI.
Describe or demonstrate product, using samples or catalog, and emphasize saleable features.
Solicit sale of new or additional products.
Provide support in preparing lists of prospective customers via telephone, fax, e-mail, etc. to solicit orders.
Provide support with oral and written quotations or estimates of prices, terms, and delivery for standard, complex or non-standard merchandise.
Perform other special projects or duties as assigned.