Outside Sales Representative

Applied Industrial Technologies - Kalamazoo, MI

Full-time - Entry Level

Kalamazoo, MI

Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing

About the position

As an Outside Sales Representative at Applied Industrial Technologies, you will play a crucial role in our commitment to providing exceptional service and innovative industrial products to our customers. This position is designed for individuals who thrive in a relationship-based sales environment, where your ability to connect with clients will directly impact your success and earnings. You will be responsible for managing an established territory and customer base, focusing on both acquiring new clients and nurturing existing relationships. Your role will involve engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders, from engineers and maintenance personnel to purchasing agents and executives, ensuring that you understand their needs and can offer tailored solutions. In this full-time position, you will have the opportunity to grow your territory and income through a consultative sales process. Your earnings potential is uncapped, meaning that your success is directly tied to your networking and prospecting abilities. You will conduct sales and service activities, develop strong customer relationships, and introduce new products and services to meet the evolving needs of your clients. Additionally, you will prepare quotations and proposals, negotiate terms, and close transactions, all while maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction. This role requires a proactive approach to sales, including organizing and conducting training sessions for customers, surveying market conditions, and completing reports on your activities. You will also be responsible for monitoring customer complaints and following up on outstanding orders, ensuring that you are responsive to your clients' needs at all times. This position reports directly to the General Manager, providing you with the support and guidance necessary to excel in your role.

Responsibilities

• Grow territory and earnings by bringing in new business and developing repeat business relationships within existing accounts.
• Call on engineers, maintenance, purchasing, and others to determine their needs through a consultative approach.
• Achieve sales and profit goals by developing and retaining existing customers and opening new business.
• Conduct sales and service activities, develop strong customer relationships, identify product applications, and introduce new products and services.
• Prepare quotations and proposals, follow up, negotiate terms, and close transactions.
• Organize and conduct training sessions for customers.
• Survey market and competitive conditions.
• Complete reports regarding itineraries, expenses, sales calls, leads, and other related matters.
• Monitor customer complaints, follow up on outstanding orders, and make emergency calls, night calls, and deliveries as required.

Requirements

• Minimum of 2 years proven outside industrial sales experience with a tangible product OR 2+ years customer service/inside sales experience with bearing and power transmission products.
• Proven experience and success in developing new business, building repeat business, and managing a sales territory.
• Mechanical aptitude, strong desire to succeed, sense of urgency, and sense of humor.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to establish rapport and build solid relationships at all levels of customer organizations.
• Good communication skills (written & verbal), good English grammar.
• Computer skills and knowledge, including Excel.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Valid driver's license and satisfactory driving record (MVR).

Nice-to-haves

• Power transmission, hydraulics, and/or bearings product experience preferred.