Safety Specialist

Summary/Objective:

Tool Country is seeking a dynamic and entrepreneurial Safety Specialist to develop and grow a comprehensive safety offering for industrial and construction customers. This position operates with significant autonomy from the traditional day-to-day sales structure and is responsible for building a safety-focused book of business, developing consultative solutions, coordinating customer training, and creating differentiated safety programs that strengthen Tool Country's position in the marketplace.

The Safety Specialist will maintain a select group of accounts to remain connected to current market needs while partnering with Account Managers, vendors, safety organizations, apprenticeship programs, and professional safety communities. The role is expected to identify opportunities, provide strategic safety expertise, and route general sales opportunities to the appropriate internal team members.

Essential Functions:
• Strategic Development

o Build and expand a dedicated safety sales network and safety-focused book of business.

o Develop and execute a safety sales strategy that supports company goals while remaining focused on strategic safety initiatives.

o Identify relevant sales opportunities and communicate or transfer them to the appropriate Account Manager or internal stakeholder.

o Support Account Managers with defined safety projects, customer needs, and strategic opportunities, with clear ownership and completion expectations.
• Consultative Sales and Partnerships

o Cultivate relationships with safety organizations, apprenticeship programs, professional safety communities, vendors, and end users.

o Use a consultative sales approach to understand customer risks, applications, training needs, and compliance objectives.

o Engage in high-level customer conversations and strategic account meetings to position Tool Country's safety solutions effectively.

o Coordinate and deliver customer product demonstrations, safety training sessions, and vendor-supported educational events.
• Innovation and Differentiation

o Challenge conventional practices in the safety supply industry and develop solutions that differentiate Tool Country from competitors.

o Identify new products, services, training opportunities, and programs that create meaningful customer engagement.

o Monitor safety-industry trends, regulations, certifications, and emerging customer needs.
• Account and Business Development

o Manage a select book of business to maintain relevance to current sales trends, customer expectations, and market conditions.

o Maintain consistent touchpoints with assigned and strategic accounts.

o Develop opportunities through physical customer visits, vendor interaction, professional networking, and follow-up activity.

o Maintain accurate account, opportunity, activity, and follow-up information in NetSuite and RepMove.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration

o Collaborate with Account Managers, Customer Service Representatives, Purchasing, Operations, and vendors when support is needed to complete customer initiatives.

o Clearly establish ownership, deadlines, and communication expectations for shared safety projects.

o Delegate routine quoting and transactional follow-up to the CSR team when appropriate so field time remains focused on customer development.

o Serve as a strategic safety resource without becoming routinely responsible for general sourcing or unrelated sales inquiries.

Role Expectations:
• Operate independently and remain focused on developing the safety business unit and strategic customer partnerships.
• Prioritize field activity and customer engagement during the morning, with computer work, follow-up, and administrative tasks generally completed in the afternoon.
• Avoid becoming delayed by routine quoting while in the field; route quotes to the CSR team and request support from sales leadership when needed.
• Meet established activity expectations, including approximately 10 vendor interactions per month, 5-10 documented RepMove activities, and regular physical customer visits.
• Participate in coaching, training, and performance-development activities and demonstrate consistent use of required tools and processes.

Work Environment:
• Sitting, standing, and walking intermittently throughout the day; may stand for extended periods.
• Regular use of office equipment, including a computer, mouse, keyboard, printer, and telephone.
• Exposure to warehouse and construction environments with varying noise levels, trucks, forklifts, tools, and active jobsite conditions.
• Ability to stand, walk, sit, use hands to handle objects or controls, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, talk, and hear.
• Ability to use close, distance, color, and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to lift and carry 50-75 pounds when required.
• Frequent local travel to customer locations, jobsites, vendor events, and training sessions.

Competencies:
• Represent Tool Country in a positive and professional manner, both internally and externally.
• Demonstrate an entrepreneurial mindset, initiative, accountability, and the ability to work independently.
• Build strong customer, vendor, and professional relationships through consultative communication.
• Understand safety products, regulations, training standards, certifications, and industrial or construction applications.
• Meet deadlines and manage multiple customers, projects, and priorities simultaneously.
• Exercise sound judgment, think critically and strategically, and follow through on commitments.
• Communicate persuasively and professionally, both verbally and in writing.
• Collaborate effectively across departments while maintaining ownership of the safety agenda.
• Demonstrate strong organizational, time-management, and follow-up skills.
• Use Microsoft Office, Outlook, NetSuite, RepMove, and other company systems effectively.

Education and Experience:
• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate or bachelor's degree in Occupational Safety, Business, Construction Management, or a related field preferred.
• Proven experience in safety sales, industrial distribution, construction, occupational safety, or a related environment preferred.
• Working knowledge of applicable safety regulations, training standards, certification processes, and personal protective equipment preferred.
• Valid driver's license and a driving record acceptable under company policy required.
• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English fluently and communicate at a professional level.
• Relevant safety credentials or certifications, such as OSHA training, CHST, CSP, or manufacturer certifications, are preferred.

Expected Hours of Work:

This role is considered full-time, working approximately 40 hours per week. The position is generally expected to work Monday through Friday during normal business hours, with flexibility for early customer visits, training events, vendor activities, travel, and occasional after-hours business needs.

Accountability Statement:

These expectations are part of the standard operating rhythm of the sales team. Tool Country supports employees through clear expectations, coaching, training, and development. Repeated failure to meet established expectations, follow required processes, use required tools, or demonstrate improvement may result in corrective action, up to and including termination of employment, consistent with company policy.