Sales Advocate - Bilingual (French/ English)

About the role

The Sales Advocate is responsible for supporting our French-speaking Account Managers and our growing commercial presence in Canada, acting as their internal office liaison for non-order requests, documenting Account Manager activities in the system within target time frames, and coordinating with internal staff on behalf of the Account Manager. The primary goal is to increase service to existing internal and external customers, resulting in additional communications for new or existing customers. This position is based in the Westlake, OH office.

Responsibilities

• Enter daily activities and key assignments according to best practices, including assisting customers and Account Managers with product customer forecasts, price quotes, market intelligence and opportunity entry and updates, sales variances, sample entry and updates, call reports, product availability, and cost inquiries
• Manage data integrity checks
• Fulfill sample requests based on established procedures
• Qualify new and existing companies to promote to customers
• Support internal coordination of non-order related requests to ensure completion
• Apply sales acumen to reports to understand buying patterns, investigate sales with the customer, and report accordingly
• Make proactive customer calls on current business to obtain key business updates and help advance the sales process
• Update job knowledge by studying new product descriptions and participating in educational opportunities, as applicable
• Initiate action to prevent nonconformities relating to product, process, or quality system, including stopping production to correct quality problems when necessary
• Identify and record problems related to product, process, and quality system
• Document problems, resolution steps, and preventive actions in CRM software and notify all required parties
• Initiate, recommend, or provide solutions through designated channels
• Verify implementation of solutions in areas under control
• Control further processing, delivery, or installation of nonconforming product until deficiencies are corrected
• Perform duties and tasks as prescribed in company policies, procedures, and work instructions

Requirements

• 4-year degree or equivalent work experience in this industry or related field required
• Minimum of 1–2 years of experience in this industry or related field preferred
• Previous experience in an administrative and/or support role preferred
• Previous experience supporting international teams strongly preferred

Knowledge and Skills

• Bilingual (French/English) fluency required
• Intermediate level of expertise in MS Office and contact management software
• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities
• Ability to maintain professional conduct that exemplifies corporate policies, particularly when interacting with internal and external customers
• Ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality and discretion
• Detail-oriented with strong, accurate clerical skills
• Proficient at multitasking
• Proactive problem solver
• Highly motivated

Competencies

• Accountability
• Analytical skills
• Communication (oral and written)
• Conflict resolution
• Customer oriented
• Detail oriented
• Enthusiastic
• Initiative
• Persuasive
• Organized
• Patience
• Relationship building
• Reliability
• Time management

Physical Requirements

• Satisfactory motor skills relevant to the position
• Ability to sit for long periods of time
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds