Sales & Marketing Trainee

Position Summary

The Sales and Marketing Trainee position is part of a structured three-year development program designed to prepare high-potential individuals for a long-term career in the commercial side of the pump industry. The program is anchored in Global Customer Support, where the trainee will spend approximately 75% of their time, gaining in-depth experience assisting customers, managing orders, resolving technical issues, and supporting sales efforts.

The remaining 25% of the program consists of rotational assignments through key departments within the Sales division—Advertising, Marketing, Outside Sales, International Sales, Training, Field Service, Factory Service, and Product Management—to develop a comprehensive understanding of how the company drives sales growth and serves customers globally.

Upon completion of the program, the trainee will be well-prepared to pursue a career path in areas such as technical sales, marketing, advertising, customer support, or product management, depending on individual interests and performance.

Essential Functions and Basic Duties

Global Customer Support Responsibilities (75%)

• Customer Engagement & Support: Serve as a primary point of contact for customer inquiries. Provide prompt and professional assistance to customers and distributors with concerns, product questions, and support issues—especially related to commercial pump products and aftermarket support.
• Product Knowledge: Develop a foundational and progressively deeper understanding of the company’s commercial pump product lines and their applications. Use this knowledge to assist customers with technical questions and product recommendations.
• Order Management: Assist in processing customer orders accurately, verifying details, and ensuring timely delivery by coordinating with internal departments. Maintain clear and proactive communication with customers regarding order status.
• Customer Relationship Building: Foster positive relationships by listening to customer feedback, ensuring high levels of satisfaction, and participating in long-term support initiatives. Collaborate with senior sales staff to identify upselling and cross-selling opportunities.
• Problem Solving & Coordination: Work alongside experienced team members to resolve customer issues. Support escalated matters by contributing to communication and follow-up efforts.
• Continuous Learning: Participate in formal training sessions and informal mentorships. Build familiarity with industry terminology, pump systems, and customer service practices by shadowing experienced professionals.
• Reporting and Documentation: Accurately record customer interactions, service requests, and order data using CRM and ERP systems. Maintain well-organized records to ensure visibility and continuity across the support team.
• Collaboration: Engage with departments across the organization—including Engineering, Service, and Production—to support cross-functional communication and deliver a superior customer experience.
• Professional Development: Take initiative in personal growth by participating in internal learning programs (e.g., Gorman-Rupp Academy), and demonstrate readiness to handle increased responsibility and customer interaction over time.

Sales Department Rotations (25%)

• Advertising: Learn how content is created to support brand awareness, sales efforts, and customer education—including literature, videos, email campaigns, and trade show materials.
• Marketing: Gain experience in digital platforms, lead generation systems, campaign analytics, CRM tools, and other data-driven marketing strategies.
• Outside Sales & International Sales: Shadow sales representatives, attend customer visits, and participate in sales planning and forecasting.
• Training: Assist in preparing and delivering customer and distributor training sessions. Learn how technical product knowledge is transferred effectively both in person and through digital tools.
• Field Service: Gain exposure to real-world installation, troubleshooting, and system commissioning. Shadow field technicians and observe how customer support is delivered on-site.
• Factory Service: Observe factory support functions including warranty analysis, returns, and root cause investigations.
• Product Management: Work with Product Managers on new product development initiatives, market analysis, and competitive positioning.

Education/Certification

• Bachelor’s degree in Business or a business-related field required; Engineering background is a plus
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record

Experience Required

• Entry-level; recent graduates are encouraged to apply
• Internship or co-op experience in a technical or sales-related field is a plus
• The selected candidate will participate in a structured three-year training program designed to build technical knowledge, customer service skills, and commercial acumen, with the goal of preparing for a long-term career in sales, marketing, advertising, customer support, or product management

Required Knowledge

• Comfortable with understanding technical subjects, including pumps and mechanical equipment (preferred)
• Understanding of sales and customer service principles
• Comfortable with business analytics principles and interpreting performance metrics
• Comfortable using digital tools and AI platforms for analysis and decision-making
• Familiarity with technical sales environments

Skills/Abilities

• Strong communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills
• Analytical problem-solving and troubleshooting skills
• Mechanical aptitude and hands-on learning orientation
• Organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple priorities
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and CRM systems
• Willing and able to travel less than 10% of the time

Physical Activities and Requirements of this Position

Sedentary work; sitting most of the time. Exerts up to 10 lbs. of force occasionally.

Working Conditions

A typical office - no hazardous or significantly unpleasant conditions.

Occasional to frequent travel, based on training progression.