Sales Trainee

How will you CONTRIBUTE and GROW?

Airgas, an Air Liquide company, is a leading U.S. supplier of industrial, medical and specialty gases, as well as hardgoods and related products; one of the largest U.S. suppliers of safety products. Air Liquide is present in 78 countries with approximately 64,500 associates globally.

Through the passion and diversity of its 18,000 associates, Airgas fosters a culture of safety, customer success, sustainability and innovation. Airgas associates are empowered to share ideas, take initiative and make decisions.

The Sales Trainee must successfully complete an accelerated training program focused on developing both professional selling skills and a working knowledge of our industry, our customers, and our products. The Trainee will develop the ability to sell all Airgas products to his/her customer base. Upon successful completion of the program, the Trainee will be placed in an Account Manager role.

50% - Learn the business and develop sales skills

• Maintains focus on safety in the workplace by complying with company safety procedures and practices

• Attend and successfully complete online and classroom training assignments

• Develops working knowledge of our industry, products and customers

• Learns sales skills by completing sales training program

• Develop and maintain positive work habits that are conducive to sales and profitability growth. Observes sales process by traveling with existing account managers to attend sales and service calls

• Practices sales process by calling on existing and then new accounts; adhering to established sales steps

• Develops basic knowledge and understanding of financial accounting terms and principals including Gross Margin, Gross Margin %, Operating Income, and EBITDA

50% - Demonstrate practical application of knowledge and skills 

• Travels throughout assigned territory to call on regular and prospective customers

• Develop and execute plans to maintain and grow the existing customer base

• Actively reviews and manages existing customer Accounts Receivable balances to help minimize Airgas working capital investment and financial risk 

• Establish and maintain clear and consistent lines of communication with internal departments relative to customer successes, customer failures, new customer developments and other customer specific information

• Develop and execute plans to improve Airgas market share within the assigned sales territory

• Prepare and deliver effective sales presentations and proposals to prospective customers 

• Works closely with local Branch Managers to assist in promoting sales and customer management through retail store locations within assigned geographical area

• Qualifies and pursues sales leads from other parts of the Airgas organization

• Keeps local, regional and national Airgas management informed of territory performance, personal performance and market trends through:

• Development and submission of an annual sales plan for the assigned territory

• Regular and on time submission of required sales and activity reports, including itineraries, call reports, “Hot” prospect lists, account wins and losses and other information as required

• Assists customers in their compliance and training with industry safety standards relating to the products and services that Airgas delivers

• Special projects and other duties as assigned

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Are you a MATCH?

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

• Knowledge of industrial and specialty gases, industrial gas / welding supply sales a plus.

• Working knowledge of SAP a plus.

• Must have excellent organizational, written and oral communication, listening and presentation skills. Computer literacy (i.e. Windows, Word, Excel, Google Docs, Google Sheets, email) and ability to acclimate to PC based order entry system and wireless, hand held scanning device.

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