Inside Sales Associate

At Springfield Electric, we take great pride in our associates’ passion, knowledge and experience. As a company with local roots and global reach, we thrive on the diversity of our associates and the different ways each of us contributes to our success. Whether you’re just starting your career or have built up your expertise over the years, we trust our people’s skills and give them the tools they need to reach their full potential.

Since 1929, Springfield Electric has focused on providing value to each customer throughout the electrical supply chain. The company has strategically expanded to include distribution centers throughout the Midwest, including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Missouri, to better serve all customers locally and internationally. Today, Springfield Electric strives to continue the legacy of delivering exceptional customer service and value to the markets we serve.

As a part of Sonepar, a worldwide leader in electrical distribution, we have a global reach that allows us to offer excellent benefits and develop innovative solutions, while maintaining our strong local roots and close-knit culture. 

 

Springfield Electric Supply Company has a career opportunity available for an assertive, customer focused, and results-driven individual with a strong background in sales and electrical products.

 

The Inside Sales Associate is responsible for all customer requests, such as order processing, product application, product substitution, price, availability information, shipment coordination, special quotations and order expediting. In addition, this position is the liaison between the customer and other distributor departments, including Credit, Purchasing, Warehouse, Outside Sales, and Management. The successful candidate will possess a commitment to delivering quality customer service, a strong work ethic, excellent verbal communication skills, and proven organizational skills.

 

DUTIES AND REPSONSIBILITIES

• Interacts with customers via phone to sell products and services, to assist customers in their selections, and to provide price and availability information.
• Enters, tracks, bills, and expedites direct and stock customer orders, backorders, and vendor purchase orders, including stock transfers when appropriate.
• Monitors job queues and takes appropriate action to troubleshoot and resolve items.
• Processes direct material return information and requests vendor returns.
• Enters credits generated by vendor pricing adjustments, shipping adjustments, etc.
• Prepares small quotes for customer projects and documents appropriately.
• Conducts customer follow-up on all quotations in an attempt to secure the order.
• Successfully interprets specifications and reads electrical blueprints.
• Answers and manages incoming phone calls, including checking and responding to voice messages.
• Monitors and responds to electronic messaging (Outlook & Eclipse) in an appropriate and timely manner.
• Maintains an accurate follow-up system for actively tracking promises made to customers and expediting deliveries to assure that materials are delivered as scheduled.
• Provides customer with appropriate product and substation information to assure customer is equipped with the knowledge needed to make an informed purchase.
• Resolves customer concerns.
• Develops product knowledge and understands product applications.
• Maintains current knowledge of products inventoried, including appropriate product substitutions.
• Develops and maintains appropriate manufacturer contacts.
• Negotiates special pricing contracts and accurately documents.
• Exchanges customer needs information in a timely fashion with necessary departments.
• Supports other branches in their efforts to secure and facilitate customer orders.

 

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• Ability to perform basic mathematical functions/calculations.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly in written and verbal formats.
• Demonstrated time management and organizational skills, including ability to plan and manage competing priorities.
• Proven attentiveness to detail coupled with problem analysis and resolution skills.
• Proven proficiency in data entry and 10-key pad.
• Proven proficiency in general personal computer applications, as well as in the use of Microsoft Office software.

 

NECESSARY QUALIFICATIONS

• High School diploma or equivalent, with secondary or post-secondary coursework concentrated in sales/marketing, or equivalent on the job experience as determined by Springfield Electric.
• At least two (2) years of electrical or distribution experience and/or product and application knowledge.

 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Abili