VMI Sales Specialist

CBT•Cincinnati, OH

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

We are actively seeking a VMI/Sales Specialist to join our team to grow our Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI), product, and service business while delivering innovative inventory solutions to our customers. As a VMI/Sales Specialist at CBT, you will combine hands-on inventory management with a strong sales focus. Working closely with Account Managers, customers, vendors, and CBT’s internal teams, you will identify opportunities to improve inventory efficiency, reduce costs, increase product availability, and grow CBT’s business within assigned accounts. A thriving VMI/Sales Specialist understands that managing inventory is only part of the job. Regular face-to-face customer interaction provides an opportunity to understand the customer’s business, identify additional needs, and proactively introduce products and services that provide value. You will use a consultative sales approach to identify new opportunities, generate and follow up on quotes, expand existing business, and help achieve sales growth targets. Our VMI/Sales Specialists develop and maintain customer VMI programs, manage product databases, monitor inventory usage and replenishment, maintain bins and labeling, and recommend adjustments to improve inventory efficiency and product turns. They work closely with supporting branches and Account Managers to communicate inventory requirements, customer needs, sales opportunities, and account activity. Successful VMI/Sales Specialists build strong relationships throughout the customer organization and look beyond the immediate product need. They identify opportunities for manufacturer consolidation, inventory reduction, conversions, repairs, asset management programs, energy savings audits, installed base evaluations, safety solutions, training, and other CBT products and services. VMI/Sales Specialists are also responsible for developing and executing account plans with Account Managers, coordinating vendor involvement, tracking sales activity and opportunities, and consistently working toward individual and team sales goals. Our VMI/Sales Specialists operate as if the company were their own, demonstrating initiative, accountability, strong communication, and a commitment to exceptional customer service. They are comfortable working independently in the field while remaining an integral part of the larger CBT team. Each VMI/Sales Specialist at CBT is supported by Account Managers, Inside Sales professionals, industry experts, technical Specialists, operational professionals, and our supplier partners. This collaborative approach is vital to our success, and we are looking for individuals who are relationship-driven, sales-minded, organized, and accountable. If this sounds like you, let’s talk. This position may be located at our Cincinnati or Springboro office.

Requirements

High School Diploma or Equivalent required
Sales experience required
Demonstrated success in a customer-facing sales role preferred
Strong relationship-building, communication, and interpersonal skills
Ability to identify customer needs, develop sales opportunities, handle objections, and close business
Strong organizational, critical-thinking, and technology skills
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
Valid driver’s license and driving record that meets company requirements
Ability to regularly travel to customer locations using a personal vehicle
Ability to lift up to 70 lbs.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree preferred
Experience in industrial distribution, manufacturing, or a related environment preferred

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain customer VMI programs
Manage product databases
Monitor inventory usage and replenishment
Maintain bins and labeling
Recommend adjustments to improve inventory efficiency and product turns
Communicate inventory requirements, customer needs, sales opportunities, and account activity with supporting branches and Account Managers
Build strong relationships throughout the customer organization
Identify opportunities for manufacturer consolidation, inventory reduction, conversions, repairs, asset management programs, energy savings audits, installed base evaluations, safety solutions, training, and other CBT products and services
Develop and execute account plans with Account Managers
Coordinate vendor involvement
Track sales activity and opportunities
Consistently work toward individual and team sales goals
Operate with initiative, accountability, strong communication, and a commitment to exceptional customer service
Work independently in the field while remaining an integral part of the larger CBT team