Quotations Specialist - Gear

Border States · Grand Forks, ND · 2 wk ago

Full-time

This position will be located in Grand Forks, ND or Fargo, ND.

About the role

The Quotations Specialist provides specialized knowledge and skills in quoting equipment and packages to customers. Performs takeoffs of bids and pricing functions. Proactively works with engineers and customers to meet their changing business needs and resolve issues. Owns the preparation of complete and accurate quotations for assigned projects from takeoff through customer submission. 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

Performs takeoffs of bids and pricing functions that could include products such as switchboards, panelboards, transformers, safety switches, motor control centers, variable frequency drives, switchgear, duct systems, and specialty equipment.
Utilizes knowledge and experience to make judgment and discretionary decisions within established pricing guidelines, margin targets, and approval authority to determine what product specifications, applications, and pricing are necessary for a specific project.
Independently completes and supports the quotation process for each assigned project.
Provides customers with timely follow-up on specialized or technical inquiries and requests.
Develops quotations and requests bids for customers within company profit objectives and guidelines, including coordinating vendor pricing, lead times, alternates, and compliance with project specifications.
Provides consistent, responsive, quality service to customers.
Coordinates with Border States staff to resolve customer billing issues resulting from errors in the quotations process, pricing, shipping, delivery, or other customer service/credit areas.
Maintains an active log of wins/losses for project bids that includes vendors and contractors quoted.
Identifies and recommends value engineering, alternate product, and expedited ship options to improve competitiveness and to meet project requirements.
Evaluates bid scope, technical requirements, and commercial risk and escalates deviations from standards or unusual conditions as appropriate.
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 Border States outside sales force.
May provide guidance or input 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.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum of a business or trade degree preferred or the equivalent in work experience.
Minimum of 4 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.
Strong working knowledge of PC for Windows, Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint), internet, email, and SAP software preferred.
Prior experience working in switchgear manufacturer quotations software (i.e. Eaton BidManager) may be preferred.

Skills

Strong technical ability to understand electrical systems and product applications with prior electrical distribution experience preferred.
Technical ability to read blueprints and specifications.
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.

Physical Requirements

Frequency at which you would carry/lift in a typical day:

Occasionally (0 – 33%)
Frequently (34 – 66%)
Continuously (67 – 100%)

Lift from Waist:

< than 10 lbs. - Not at all
10 to 25 lbs. - Not at all
26 to 50 lbs. - Not at all
51 to 75 lbs. - Not at all
75 to 100 lbs. - Not at all
100+ lbs. - Not at all

Lift from Floor:

< than 10 lbs. - Frequently
10 to 25 lbs. - Frequently
26 to 50 lbs. - Occasionally
51 to 75 lbs. - Not at all
75 to 100 lbs. - Not at all
100+ lbs. - Not at all

Carried for Distance:

< than 10 lbs. - Not at all
10 to 25 lbs. - Not at all
26 to 50 lbs. - Not at all
51 to 75 lbs. - Not at all
75 to 100 lbs. - Not at all
100+ lbs. - Not at all

Physical Activity Frequency:

Sitting - Continuously
Standing - Frequently
Walking - Frequently
Bending/stooping - Occasionally
Crawling - Not at all
Climbing/Walking Stairs - Frequently
Reaching - Frequently
Crouching/squatting - Occasionally
Kneeling - Occasionally
Balancing - Occasionally
Repetitive motion - Continuously
Pivoting - Occasionally
Pushing/Pulling - Occasionally
Grasping - Continuously
Fingering - Continuously
Talking - Continuously
Driving - Occasionally
Desk work - Continuously
Use of a computer - Continuously
Use of a telephone - Continuously
Hearing - Continuously
Exposure to adverse weather & temperature conditions - Occasionally
Travel - Occasionally

Benefits

Health, Dental and Vision Benefits
Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity
FSA & HSA
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
Disability Benefits
401(k) Retirement Plan
Life Insurance
Employee Assistance Program
Paid Holidays
Paid Volunteer Time
Personal Leave time and more

Border States provides bonuses to their employee-owners upon the achievement of branch and company goals.

About Border States

Border States is a leader in the electrical supply distribution industry with approximately 130 locations in 31 states. Our employee-owners are second to none in delivering top-notch customer service and in demonstrating extraordinary people skills. We are one of the largest independent electrical distributors in the United States providing products and services to the construction, industrial and utility industries. Border States has a competitive benefit package and is a 100 percent employee-owned company.

Employee-ownership is a significant part of our culture and our success stems from the dedication of our employee-owners. We practice open-book management and our employee-owners are empowered with clearly defined levels of authority to be innovative and decisive, allowing us to respond quickly to the needs of customers. Employee-owners understand their roles in the success of the company and care about customers’ needs, which drives our focus on adding value to everything we do. We recognize that not all customers are the same and each has specific requirements. Our employee-owners understand these diverse needs and have the commitment, resourcefulness and flexibility to outperform all others.

Values

Our Purpose: We believe unstoppable businesses shouldn't go it alone. We are owners - of relationships, of outcomes, of every moment these unstoppable businesses need to deliver.

Service Philosophy: We earn customer loyalty and confidence by caring about their needs and adding value to everything we do.

Service Standards: Border States employee-owners are competent, accurate, responsive, and engaged.