Inside Sales Representative

Job Description: Inside Sales Representative

About Harvard Steel:

Harvard Steel is an ISO-certified leader in flat-rolled carbon steel, specializing in prime and excess prime hot rolled, cold rolled, and coated steel products. We provide master coils, slit coils, cut-to-length sheets, and re-squared blanks, combining decades of industry expertise with fast turnaround times and exceptional customer service. Headquartered in Cleveland with a stocking facility in Chicago, we are committed to delivering quality products, innovative solutions, and reliable partnerships that help our customers succeed.

Position Summary

The Inside Sales Representative serves as the primary internal support resource for the Outside Sales Representative, managing customer orders from receipt through invoicing while ensuring exceptional customer service throughout the sales process. This role acts as the liaison between customers, the Outside Sales Representative, and internal departments to ensure accurate order processing, production coordination, on-time delivery, timely invoicing, and support of accounts receivable activities. The position is responsible for maintaining accurate customer and order information within the company's Steel Service Center software system while helping Outside Sales Representatives effectively manage and grow customer accounts.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with and provide day-to-day administrative and sales support to the Outside Sales Representative, serving as the primary internal contact for assigned customer accounts.
• Process customer sales orders by entering purchase orders, creating specifications for any new parts, and establishing or verifying customer credit.
• Communicate new orders to internal buyers for approval and confirmation of steel allocations.
• Prepare and submit order setup documentation to the production team for scheduling.
• Coordinate the transfer of steel to the appropriate processing location.
• Monitor order progress using Sales Order Reports to ensure production and delivery schedules are met.
• Coordinate outbound shipments using freight transportation brokers and hire company asset trucks to ensure on-time customer delivery.
• Invoice customers promptly upon completed delivery.
• Work closely with the Outside Sales Representative and Accounting team to monitor open accounts receivable, assist with collections, and help resolve payment discrepancies or customer billing issues.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date customer, order, pricing, and inventory information within the Steel Service Center software system.
• Identify and communicate potential delays or issues proactively to Outside Sales Representative to minimize disruptions and maintain customer expectations.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, quality standards, and established order processing procedures.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate or bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Previous experience in inside sales, sales support, customer service, order management, or the steel industry preferred.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to work collaboratively across multiple departments while providing exceptional customer service.
• Experience supporting sales teams, invoicing, or accounts receivable activities is a plus.

Key Competencies

• Customer-focused mindset
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Sales support and relationship management
• Problem-solving and critical thinking
• Attention to detail
• Effective communication
• Team collaboration
• Adaptability in a fast-paced manufacturing environment

Why Join us?

• 401(K) & matching
• Health Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Time Off