Looking for a career not just a job?

How about a career with an employee-owned company in a dynamic industry? Electrical distribution is rapidly changing, and our employee-owners are empowered to meet these evolving challenges and opportunities by being decisive and innovative. We act like owners, solving problems and taking care of customers because we have a stake in the game.

A little about us

Border States supplies products and services to the construction, industrial and utility markets. In June 2021, we were ranked as the 6th largest independent electrical distributor in the United States by Electrical Wholesaling magazine.

As employee-owners, we hold ourselves accountable to help you solve your business challenges and find new opportunities. Our culture enhances our customer service and responsiveness, allowing us to respond quickly to your needs.

Ranked as one of the largest 100 percent employee-owned companies in America, Border States branch office network serves 24 states.

JOB SUMMARY

Provides specialized knowledge and skills to enhance the operations of the Quotations. Performs takeoffs of bids and pricing functions. Proactively works with engineers and customers to meet their changing business needs and resolve issues. Develops quotations and requests bid and/or performance bonds for customers within company profit objectives and guidelines. Actively participates in coordinating, analyzing, and acting upon information and feedback of customer needs, pricing, products, competition, and procedures.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential Functions

· Performs takeoffs of bids and pricing functions that could include products such as motor control centers, motor drives, control components, fixtures, lighting, lamps, dimming systems, switchgear, duct systems, apparatus and specialty equipment.

· Utilizes senior level knowledge and experience to make judgment and discretionary decisions to determine what product specifications, applications, and pricing are necessary for a specific project.

· Proactively works with engineers and customers to meet their changing business needs and resolve issues.

· Provides guidance and may participate in the completion of the quotation process for each assigned project.

· Provides customers with timely follows-up on specialized or technical inquiries and requests.

· Develops quotations and requests bids for customers within company profit objectives and guidelines.

· Provides consistent, responsive, quality service to our customers.

· Actively participates in coordinating, analyzing, and acting upon information and feedback of customer needs, pricing, products, competition, and procedures.

· Coordinates with BSE staff to resolve customer billing issues resulting from errors in the quotations process, pricing, shipping, deliver or other customer service/credit areas.

· Maintains an active log of wins/losses for project bids that includes vendors and contractors quoted

Non-essential Functions

· Provides input and market intelligence, as required.

· May place orders and hold orders on secured projects, prepare submittal drawings, and release hold orders after submittal approval.

· May obtain orders and provide sales support for the BSE outside sales force.

· May provide guidance in purchasing functions, product evaluations and code descriptions, inventory management, pricing development, and other related services.

· Attends sales meetings and training programs, as required.

· Participates in sales meetings and trade shows, as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

· Minimum of a business or trade degree preferred or the equivalent in work experience.

· Minimum of four years of prior customer service, quotation or sales experience with strong knowledge of electrical products and systems preferred.

· Comprehensive knowledge of product lines and applications, alternate product substitutes, and supplier pricing policies preferred.

· Ability to read, write and speak in English preferred.

· Prefer strong working knowledge of PC for Windows, Microsoft Office (Excel, Word and PowerPoint), Internet, Email and SAP software.

COMPETENCIES

· Strong technical ability to understand electrical systems and product applications with prior electrical distribution experience preferred.

· Technical ability to read blueprints.

· Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication, reading, and customer service skills are preferred with the ability to effectively plan and organize.

· Excellent customer service skills include being competent, accurate, responsive and engaged.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Application Question(s):

• What are your salary expectations?

Experience:

• Electrical Industry: 5 years (Preferred)
• Microsoft Excel: 3 years (Preferred)
• SAP: 3 years (Preferred)

Ability to Relocate:

• Rochester, MN 55902: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person