Strategic Development Trainee ( Quotations focus)

EMCO Corporation•Hamilton, ON

14h•CA$50,000 - CA$60,000•Onsite

About The Position

EMCO Hamilton Mountain is seeking a detail-oriented and organized Strategic Development Trainee with a focus on quotations to join their Bid & Spec team. This role is ideal for recent graduates or early-career professionals interested in the construction and wholesale distribution industry, who enjoy working with numbers, analyzing information, problem-solving, and meeting deadlines. The Strategic Development Program offers broad business exposure and develops technical, commercial, and leadership skills for future growth within EMCO. The initial focus will be on quotations and project support, with hands-on training and mentorship to understand the project lifecycle from bidding to delivery. Over time, trainees will learn to review construction drawings and specifications, perform material takeoffs, obtain vendor pricing, prepare quotations, and coordinate awarded projects. Experience in customer service, sales, purchasing, operations, inventory management, and credit will also be gained. The position requires patience, accuracy, curiosity, initiative, and a strong sense of ownership. While plumbing-industry experience is not required, a motivation to develop technical product knowledge and comfort in a deadline-driven environment are essential.

Requirements

College diploma or university degree in business, construction, engineering technology, estimating, supply chain, or a related field is preferred.
Previous customer service, administrative, estimating, construction, or sales-support experience is an asset.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
Excellent organization, time-management, and deadline-management skills.
Comfortable working with numbers, pricing, spreadsheets, and detailed documentation.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Willingness to ask questions, receive feedback, and continuously learn.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work collaboratively while taking ownership of individual responsibilities.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Outlook and Excel.
Experience reading construction drawings or specifications is an asset but not required.
Knowledge of plumbing, heating, mechanical, or construction products is an asset but not required.
Take pride in producing accurate, high-quality work.
Naturally notice details that others may overlook.
Stay organized when balancing several projects and deadlines.
Are dependable and follow through on your commitments.
Enjoy learning technical information and solving problems.
Work well in a team-oriented and supportive environment.
Want to build a career rather than simply finding your next job.
Are motivated by the opportunity to grow your responsibilities and compensation over time.

Nice To Haves

Previous plumbing-industry experience is not required, but you must be motivated to develop technical product knowledge and comfortable working in a deadline-driven environment.
Experience reading construction drawings or specifications is an asset but not required.
Knowledge of plumbing, heating, mechanical, or construction products is an asset but not required.

Responsibilities

Learn to read construction drawings, specifications, schedules, and other project documentation.
Assist with quantity takeoffs and the preparation of accurate material lists.
Obtain pricing, availability, lead times, and technical information from vendors.
Prepare and organize customer quotations with support from experienced teammates.
Track bid deadlines, addenda, project revisions, and quotation follow-ups.
Maintain accurate electronic project files and supporting documentation.
Identify potential gaps, exclusions, substitutions, and sales opportunities within project specifications.
Support awarded projects by coordinating submittments, purchasing, delivery schedules, change orders, and project documentation.
Build relationships with customers, vendors, and teammates to support successful project execution.
Develop the ability to manage increasingly complex quotations independently.
Learn the complete sales cycle, from identifying an opportunity and preparing a quotation through order fulfillment and after-sales support.
Gain exposure to customer service, inside sales, account management, purchasing, warehouse operations, inventory control, and credit management.
Develop a strong understanding of EMCO’s products, vendors, customers, systems, and business model.
Participate in product, technical, sales, and leadership training.
Analyze pricing, gross profit, project risk, and other commercial considerations when preparing quotations.
Identify opportunities to improve processes, customer service, and profitability.
Work closely with profit centre leadership to understand business planning and day-to-day decision-making.
Take on greater responsibility as your technical knowledge, business judgment, and leadership skills develop.
Deliver a high level of service by responding accurately and promptly to customer and vendor inquiries.
Communicate professionally with customers, vendors, and teammates.
Monitor project commitments, lead times, and deadlines to help ensure expectations are met.