Sales Support Specialist

Sales Support Specialist

Job Summary

With a commitment for responding to customer needs, the Sales Support Specialist is Essex's foremost link between the customer and Essex's information resources and principal administrative support function for the sales effort. The Sales Support Specialist provides access to product samples and informational databases. Working alone and at times together with Customer Service, directly with customers and other internal departments. The Sales Support Specialist's principal responsibility is doing whatever it takes to ensure that the Customers' informational requirements are met in a timely manner.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

Customer Support

• Prepares all correspondence necessary including pricing, customer quotes, introduction letters, customer requests for stocking of inventory and supplier change notifications as requested by regional sales managers.
• Responsible for disseminating and maintaining all current supplier pricing within SharePoint.
• Joint responsibility for customer bids in gathering supplier pricing information, freight rates and entering data on customer bid sites.
• Responds to customer requests for product information, availability, alternate sources, and general product information as directed by regional sales manager.
• Responds to sample requests and provides the necessary follow up for expeditious service.
• At times assumes a supporting role to the customer service function with regards to pricing; responds timely and completely to a customer's order.
• Research customer history.
• Responds to requests by customers for quality documents.
• Takes orders if requested by customer, then provides to customer service immediately.

Regional Sales Manager Support

• Assists regional sales managers in sourcing information in Sage X3, Salesforce and outside sourcing through suppliers including pricing, availability, and documentation to support ongoing business development.
• Responsible for managing and maintaining sales managers customer pricing files including supporting pricing, rebates, contracted pricing.
• Assists regional sales managers in the review of customer activity such as ordering and usage patterns and troubleshooting margin errors.
• Enters and updates new prospects, contacts, addresses, samples, and quotes in Salesforce and disseminating this to customers and suppliers.
• Bears joint responsibility with regional sales managers to distribute and expedite all inbound customer, vendor and sales correspondences arriving by mail and e-mail.
• Receives inbound customer and supplier calls for regional sales managers when not available.
• Prepares special reports, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and other periods as requested by the regional sales managers for key customers from Sage X3, Salesforce and Excel.
• Responsible for gathering documentation and other required information from supplier to set up new products in Sage X3.
• Joint responsibility with regional sales manager for setting up new customers, gathering required information from customers and providing to finance.
• Ability to fully execute product searches using enhanced search engines, LinkedIn, manufacture websites and word of mouth.

Support to Staff & Other Departments

• Acts as liaison between regional sales managers, customer, vendor, and internal contacts.
• Assist accounts payable with payment contact information.
• Assist regional sales manager with customer project follow up's.
• Lead and coordinate small customer projects.

Training & Development

• Participates in supplier training, as needed.
• Attends trade shows when requested to do so.
• Required to complete IT security training.
• Other training as assigned.

This job description is not intended to be all inclusive and the employee will also perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor and other management as required.

Qualifications

Education/Experience

• Minimum of associates degree required; bachelor's degree preferred.
• 2-5 years of professional experience required, preferably in a related field.

Licenses/Credentials/Certifications

• N/A

Specialized Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Calm, organized, patient, diplomatic, and confident demeanor in working with staff and customers
• Proficient attention to detail and accuracy in all work
• Demonstrated ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks at one time and work independently
• Ability to communicate both verbally and in professional writing to internal and external customers
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications: Word, Outlook and Excel. Must have high level of Excel skills and able to create spreadsheets, use formulas and visual appeal. This includes high level of mathematical skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, vendors, and customers

Working Conditions

Working Hours/Environment

• Office hours are 40 per week – Monday – Friday, 8:00 –5:00; may require additional hours periodically, including evening and weekends depending on business needs (note: some positions may require 9:00 – 6:00 office hours)
• Work typically performed in an indoor office setting

Tools and Equipment Used

• Personal computer, copier, fax/scanner, phone, and other typical office equipment

Travel

• Minimal – less than 5% of the time

Physical & Mental Demands

• Frequently required to sit at a desk/workstation for long period of time
• Ability to work at a computer terminal for extended periods of time
• Digital dexterity and hand/eye coordination in operation of office equipment
• Light lifting and carrying of supplies, files, etc.
• Ability to speak to and hear employees/clients via phone or in person
• Body motor skills sufficient to enable incumbent to move around the office environment

This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. This job description is not intended and should not be construed, to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or work conditions associated with the job. Furthermore, the employer reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.