Sales Assistant

ARE YOU RIGHT FOR THIS JOB?

Attention to details, strong follow-up proficiency and the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously are the most important skills you’ll need to be successful at this job.  Please, if you are missing these traits, do not apply.

You also have the base to succeed at this job if you have a friendly, likeable, approachable personality (we can teach you a lot, but we can't teach you this!).  You should also be self-confident, well spoken with a pleasant phone persona.

You will be working internally with Management Team members and other members of the sales team who deal with a wide range of clients, from single employee entrepreneurs to publicly traded companies.  These companies are looking to use promotional products to promote everything from a product that can be used to thank donors to a philanthropic campaign to a captivating trade show traffic builder.
Sales opportunities arise from Internet inquiries, phone inquiries and good old-fashioned networking.

If products (including apparel, bags, drinkware, writing instruments and executive toys) fascinate you, this job may be a good match for you. There are 1000’s of different products. 

A basic understanding of business principles and how marketing, sales and operational success relate is necessary to achieve longstanding success in this role. 

We believe that if you are the right person (and we are very selective!) joining our team will be one of the best career decisions that you can make. 

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work closely with members of the management and sales teams to enter orders/quotes into our order management system. This will include on-line orders, sample orders and requests that come from our website. You will also be asked to assist with other client-relations tasks when required.
• Work with our vendors to confirm pricing and/or get pricing for a client’s product request, check product availability, rush service availability and ship dates for client orders or potential orders. Client requests come from Internet inquiries, phone inquiries and occasionally walk-in clients.
• Work directly with clients to close up any conversation points or details that may have been missed in conversations with the salesperson or when the salesperson is unavailable at the time.
• Work with clients when contacted directly about upcoming projects or needs. In this capacity, you are a "2nd sales contact" for the clients.
• Help members of the sales team research product ideas based on client requests using catalogs and electronic research tools. This will include attending tradeshows and supplier presentations.
  
  

WHAT IS NOT PART OF THE JOB?

• Cold calling; you will not make any outbound solicitation calls.
• Travel; all of your work will be done from our Chicago offices. No trips to O’Hare, no cab rides, no flight delays, no sleeping in strange beds.
  

TRAINING and MORE TRAINING
In return for your talents, we will support you with a thorough paid training program that provides the tools necessary for you to be well versed in our products and processes.

KEY TRAITS/QUALIFICATIONS:

• Friendly (we can teach you a lot, buy we can't teach you this!)
• Previous sales experience a real plus!
• “Customer First” attitude
• Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously
• High tolerance for stress (hey, we're just being honest - you do work hard in this job!)
• Strong organizational, typing & communication skills
• High energy, self motivated and quick thinking
• Professional phone manner and presence
• Strong attention to detail
• Comfortable taking direction from others
• Comfortable being behind the scenes at times and helping others succeed
• PC/Windows proficiency
• E-mail and Internet usage and management

Compensation: Base salary + benefits
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Most workweeks are 40-45 hours.