Sales Associate

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.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 2+ years of inside sales, account management, or metals industry experience preferred.
• Knowledge of metals manufacturing and distribution (including aluminum, red metals, aerospace, or related products) is a plus.
• 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.

• Medical (HMO, HSA, PPO Plan Choice), Dental, and Vision Insurance
• EAP
• 401(k) plan
• Paid Time Off (PTO), Sick Time and Paid Holidays