Product Specialist

About the Role

Key Responsibilities

• Works closely with Border States' sales and marketing staff to meet and exceed sales and gross profit objectives.
• Consults with customers on product and system applications.
• Provides customers with timely follow-up on quotations, technical inquiries and other requests.
• Provides continuous contact and interaction with customer's engineering staff, contractors and consultants.
• Provides specific or specialized product support for branches and customers.
• Inputs TCCM cost savings documentation relevant to the assigned customer base.
• Participates in the marketing, planning, and sale of Border States' technical products and services.
• Advises management on the implementation and success of marketing plans and strategies.
• Provides responsive, quality service to meet and exceed customer expectations.
• Provides input on customer needs and concerns regarding pricing, products, competition, procedures, and market potential.
• Evaluates new products and makes recommendations on stock levels for new and existing products.
• Provides input to the pricing and purchasing departments on product evaluations, inventory management, and pricing developments.
• Performs product updates and new product launches for branches and customers.
• Leads customer and employee training on new and existing technical product lines and applications.
• Provides field troubleshooting assistance, training, and documentation support.
• Conducts product application assessments including TCCM savings and regional standards.
• Designs, develops, and maintains databases and documentation files such as engineering records, customer parts database, technical reference library, and customer information files.
• Evaluates demo equipment and makes recommendations for new products.
• Ensures existing demos are functional.
• Attends and assists with sales meetings, trade shows, and training programs as needed.

Requirements

• Minimum of a four-year technical or engineering degree preferred or the equivalent in work experience.
• Knowledge and technical competence in understanding electrical and hi-tech industrial products and applications including industrial automation software and hardware.
• Minimum of four years of prior customer service, marketing, quotation or sales experience preferred.
• Minimum of three years of prior electrical distribution and quotations experience preferred with comprehensive knowledge of BSE product lines and applications.
• Prefer strong working knowledge of PC for Windows, Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint), Internet, Email, and SAP software.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to effectively plan and organize.
• Good customer service skills including being competent, accurate, responsive, and engaged.

Nice to Have

• Experience with industrial automation software and hardware.
• Experience in electrical distribution and quotations.
• Strong working knowledge of SAP software.

Qualifications

• Four-year technical or engineering degree preferred or equivalent work experience

Benefits & Perks

• 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
• Bonuses upon achievement of branch and company goals