Job Description
Job DescriptionDescription:Summary of Position
The Inside Sales Specialist plays a critical role in supporting Reading Alloys' commercial growth objectives by serving as a key liaison between customers and the organization. This position is responsible for coordinating sales activities, managing customer interactions, supporting business development efforts, and ensuring the efficient execution of sales processes.
The successful candidate will provide exceptional customer service while supporting quoting, order management, forecasting, budgeting, market analysis, and business development initiatives. This highly visible position offers opportunities for professional growth and increased responsibility within the organization.
Duties and Responsibilities
Customer Relationship Management
- Serve as the primary point of contact for customers, providing professional, responsive, and effective support.
- Develop and maintain strong customer relationships to promote long-term business growth and customer satisfaction.
- Enhance the value of Reading Alloys’ products and services by effectively communicating the company’s technical capabilities and competitive advantages.
- Coordinate customer requests and inquiries while ensuring timely and accurate responses.
Sales Support and Administration
- Prepare quotations and manage order entry activities accurately and efficiently.
- Review customer purchase orders and contracts to ensure pricing, terms, and conditions align with company policies and strategic objectives.
- Coordinate internally to ensure customer requirements are understood and fulfilled.
- Maintain accurate customer and sales records within company systems.
Technical and Product Support
- Consult with Production, Engineering, Quality, and Technical Management regarding non-standard products, specifications, or customer requirements.
- Evaluate customer requests and determine product feasibility.
- Coordinate product samples and technical documentation as required.
- Review and acknowledge customer specifications and technical requirements.
- Facilitate the exchange of technical information between Reading Alloys and customers.
Market Development and Business Growth
- Support domestic and international sales activities within assigned markets and territories.
- Identify opportunities for new business development and market expansion.
- Monitor market trends, customer activity, and competitive developments.
- Provide management with timely market intelligence and competitive insights.
- Assist in developing and implementing strategies to grow existing accounts and secure new business opportunities.
Marketing and Communications
- Support the development and maintenance of company marketing materials, sales literature, and customer communications.
- Ensure all marketing materials accurately represent company capabilities, products, and services.
- Coordinate updates to marketing content and remove obsolete materials from circulation.
- Assist in implementing communication programs that strengthen customer relationships and promote business growth.
Trade Shows and Industry Engagement
- Identify industry conferences, trade shows, and networking opportunities that align with company objectives.
- Coordinate participation in selected events.
- Measure and report the effectiveness and business impact of trade show participation.
- Support relationship-building activities with customers, prospects, and industry organizations.
Forecasting, Budgeting, and Reporting
- Assist with sales forecasting, budgeting, and strategic planning activities.
- Generate daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual sales reports.
- Track and communicate key performance indicators, metrics, and benchmarks.
- Analyze sales trends and customer activity to support business decision-making.
Quality and Continuous Improvement
- Support continuous improvement initiatives related to sales processes, systems, and customer service.
- Review company technical and market data for accuracy prior to internal or external distribution.
- Coordinate corrective actions with customers and internal departments when necessary.
- Promote compliance with company policies, quality standards, and customer requirements.
Requirements:Position Requirements
BS - Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Sales and Marketing, or a related field. Three (3) – Five (5) years demonstrated sales and product management experience in a manufacturing environment desired. Product management, technical sales or sales engineer experience in the metals industry preferred. Domestic and international sales experience preferred. The proven ability to work effectively and collaboratively with individuals at all levels inside and outside the organization. Demonstrated skills with PC office applications such as MS Word, Excel and Power Point.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
The successful candidate will possess the following key leadership competencies:
- Experience in metals, aerospace, medical, specialty materials, or industrial manufacturing industries preferred.
- Experience supporting domestic and international customers preferred.
- Technical sales, product management, or sales engineering experience is highly desirable.
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent organizational and time-management abilities.
- Strong customer-service orientation and relationship-building skills.
- Effective negotiation and communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
- Sound business judgment and decision-making capabilities.
- Ability to work effectively with employees, customers, and suppliers at all organizational levels.
- Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
- Ability to learn and effectively utilize ERP, CRM, and sales management systems.
Performance will be evaluated based on:
- Achievement of sales and profitability objectives.
- Accuracy and effectiveness of forecasting and reporting.
- Customer satisfaction and retention.
- New business development and market growth.
- Responsiveness and quality of customer support.
- Continuous improvement of sales processes and systems.
- Collaboration and effectiveness in supporting organizational goals.
Work Environment
- Primarily office-based in a climate-controlled environment.
- Periodic exposure to manufacturing and production environments.
Travel
- Occasional domestic and international travel may be required to support customer visits, trade shows, conferences, and business development activities.
Equipment Used
- Personal computer and standard office equipment.
- ERP, CRM, and business software systems.
- When entering production areas, required personal protective equipment (PPE) includes:
- Hard hat
- Safety glasses
- Hearing protection
- Steel-toe footwear
- Work gloves
Physical Requirements
- Ability to work in both office and manufacturing environments.
- Ability to occasionally walk through production areas and wear required PPE.
- Ability to travel as business needs require.