Technical Sales Specialist

Company Description

Industrial Sales and Manufacturing, Inc. (ISM), based in Erie, PA, is a family-owned business established in 1967. The company specializes in manufacturing, fabricating, and assembling high-quality components for diverse industries, including transportation, medical devices, construction equipment, and renewable energy. With three facilities covering 185,000 square feet, ISM employs over 175 professionals and provides a one-stop shop with advanced in-house operations and expertise to meet specific market needs. The company is ISO-9000 certified and renowned for its commitment to quality, innovation, and exceptional customer service. ISM works with a variety of materials and industries, ensuring tailored solutions for a wide range of applications.

Role Description

The Sales Engineer will play a crucial role in customer account management, fostering relationships with clients by combining technical knowledge with sales skills. This individual will work closely with the estimating, engineering and production teams to understand the technical aspects of our products and effectively communicate these to our customers. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical background, preferably in mechanical engineering, excellent communication skills, and a passion for sales.

Key Responsibilities:

• Technical Support: Provide product life-cycle technical support to clients, including answering technical questions, troubleshooting, and providing guidance.
• Proposal Development and Quoting: Work with estimating and engineering to prepare and deliver technical proposals and quotations, ensuring they meet client requirements and company standards.
• Collaboration: Work closely with the engineering and production to ensure on time delivery to customers.
• Customer Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong, long-lasting relationships with clients, ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty.
• Reporting: Maintain accurate records of sales activities, customer interactions, and pipeline status. Provide regular reports to the sales manager on progress and challenges.
• Documentation Management. Prepare work instructions, procedure manuals, and guidance, for systems and processes related to the essential functions of the job requirements for training and knowledge retention purposes.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• A bachelor's degree in engineering, business or related field is preferred, however equivalent experience in industry will be considered.
• An understanding of estimating and quoting of complex manufactured parts based off customer specifications and prints, as well as internal costing, is preferred.
• Proven sales or customer service experience is preferred, ideally in the manufacturing industry.
• Technical knowledge or a mechanical background is preferred as is the ability to understand and explain complex technical products and concepts, particularly GD&T. The candidate must be able to understand technical drawings, blueprints and measurements. A familiarity with deviations and revisions is a plus.
• Excellent communication skills, including verbal and written, with the ability to explain and present complex information clearly and persuasively.
• The candidate must have attention to detail, be organized and able to diligently follow up with production, sales and customers.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with a customer focused approach.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and build strong cross functional relationships. The applicant must be confident in liaising between engineering, production and customers, so a technical understanding is essential.

What We Offer:

• Competitive pay based on experience.
• Comprehensive benefits package (medical, dental, vision, 401k, etc.).
• Paid time off and holidays.
• Opportunities for skill development and training.
• A team-focused, collaborative work environment.

Why Work for Us?

ISM is more than a workplace — it’s a place to thrive. Here, you’ll join a team of great people with a solution‑driven mindset, supported by a culture of respect, collaboration, and continuous improvement. We invest in the latest cutting‑edge equipment and give you every opportunity to grow through training, development, and annual performance reviews that value your progress. We celebrate wins, host great employee events, and recognize the contributions that make us stronger. If you want to work where innovation meets opportunity — and where your impact is truly felt — this is the place for you.