Manufacturing Account Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Manufacturing Account Manager / Inside Sales Representative

Location: Visalia, CA
Employment Type: Direct Hire | Full-Time
Schedule: Monday–Friday, approximately 8:00 AM–5:00 PM; flexibility based on business needs
Compensation: Approximately $60,000–$80,000 annually, DOE
FLSA Status: Salaried, Non-Exempt

Position Summary

Key Staffing is seeking a Manufacturing Account Manager / Inside Sales Representative for a well-established and growing manufacturing company in Bakersfield, CA.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who understands manufacturing operations and enjoys working directly with customers, coordinating orders, estimating/pricing, and collaborating with production teams.

While this position falls within the sales department, it is not a traditional outside sales or business-development role . The primary focus is managing and developing existing customer accounts, preparing quotes, processing incoming orders, monitoring orders throughout production, and ensuring customers receive proactive and timely communication.

The ideal candidate will have a strong manufacturing background combined with excellent communication, customer service, problem-solving, and organizational skills. Candidates with experience in manufacturing, metal fabrication, industrial supply, distribution, estimating, production coordination, inside sales, or account management are encouraged to apply.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary point of contact for assigned customer accounts.
• Receive and process incoming customer orders and inquiries.
• Review customer requirements and determine appropriate products, pricing, delivery terms, and order specifications.
• Prepare accurate customer quotes and follow up on outstanding quotes in a timely manner.
• Create and maintain sales orders based on customer requests.
• Monitor open orders throughout the manufacturing process and proactively investigate potential delays.
• Maintain regular communication with customers regarding order status, changes, delivery expectations, and other needs.
• Work closely with production and shop supervisors to coordinate priorities, scheduling, late orders, and manufacturing requirements.
• Develop an understanding of manufacturing equipment and machine capabilities to accurately quote and coordinate customer orders.
• Review pricing, costs, and margins to support profitable customer accounts.
• Coordinate with vendors and other internal or external resources to obtain pricing when necessary.
• Process order changes, cancellations, and customer service requests.
• Assist with new customer setup and new product/part creation.
• Maintain accurate customer and account information within internal systems.
• Maintain inventory information for applicable customer accounts and blanket orders.
• Partner with outside sales and internal leadership to support existing accounts and identify additional opportunities.
• Continually develop knowledge of company products, manufacturing capabilities, processes, and markets.
• Provide professional, courteous, and responsive service to customers.
• Demonstrate strong follow-through and take ownership of customer orders from initial inquiry through completion.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

The client's formal description similarly emphasizes quoting, order processing, monitoring open and late orders, coordinating with shop supervisors, maintaining customer accounts, and developing the ability to quote products outside of the existing pricing system.

What We’re Looking For

The ideal candidate is someone who understands how a manufacturing operation works and can successfully serve as the connection between the customer and the production floor.

We are seeking someone who is:

• Proactive – follows up on orders and communicates updates without needing to be prompted.
• Customer-focused – builds strong relationships and provides professional, responsive service.
• Manufacturing-minded – understands production environments, workflows, equipment, and operational priorities.
• Business-minded – comfortable working with pricing, costs, estimates, and profit margins.
• Organized – capable of managing multiple customer accounts and orders simultaneously.
• Communicative – comfortable working with customers, production employees, supervisors, vendors, and leadership.
• Accountable – takes ownership of customer needs and follows issues through resolution.
• Eager to learn – willing to develop an in-depth understanding of specialized manufacturing equipment and processes.

Qualifications

• Approximately 3–5+ years of relevant professional experience preferred.
• Manufacturing experience is strongly preferred.
• Experience within metal manufacturing/fabrication, industrial production, warehouse/supply, distribution, estimating, production coordination, inside sales, customer service, or account management is highly desirable.
• Previous experience managing customer accounts or coordinating customer orders within a manufacturing environment is a plus.
• Strong understanding of or aptitude for pricing, estimating, costs, and profit margins.
• Ability to interpret customer needs and translate them into accurate orders and production requirements.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent follow-up, organization, and time-management skills.
• Comfortable learning technical products, manufacturing processes, and equipment capabilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel.
• Strong computer and data-management skills.
• Consistent, reliable, and punctual attendance.

The client's formal job description lists 3–5 years of related experience , Microsoft applications and Excel/data-management skills, along with competencies such as customer orientation, initiative, teamwork, collaborative relationships, results orientation, and personal credibility.

Education

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree preferred but not required .
• Relevant manufacturing, account-management, estimating, customer-service, or industry experience may be considered in place of formal education.

Training & Development

Candidates are not expected to already know the company's specialized manufacturing processes or equipment . The selected individual will receive training to develop an understanding of the facility's equipment, machine capabilities, products, quoting processes, and customer requirements.

The new hire will initially manage a smaller group of accounts and orders while learning the operation. Responsibilities and account volume will increase as the individual becomes comfortable with the company's processes and manufacturing capabilities.

Schedule

The standard schedule is approximately 8:00 AM–5:00 PM, Monday through Friday , with flexibility based on workload and business needs.

This is an in-office/on-site position in Visalia, CA . The position does not require routine outside sales calls or customer travel.

The client's formal description also identifies the position as office-based with minimal travel.

Compensation & Benefits

• Approximately $60,000–$80,000 annually , depending on experience and qualifications.
• Annual performance incentive opportunity.
• Medical insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
• 401(k) with company match.
• Additional benefits may be available.

Why This Opportunity?

This is a strong opportunity for someone who wants to combine their manufacturing knowledge with customer and account management rather than remain solely on the production floor or move into traditional outside sales.

The company is looking for someone who can learn its specialized manufacturing processes, develop long-term customer relationships, understand the financial side of customer orders, and become a trusted connection between customers and production.

For someone with a manufacturing background who is organized, personable, proactive, and ready to grow into a customer-facing role, this position offers an opportunity to build a long-term career within an established manufacturing operation.

Commitment to Diversity: As an equal opportunity employer committed to meeting the needs of a multi-generational and multicultural workforce, Key Staffing recognizes that a diverse staff, reflective of our community, is an integral and welcome part of a successful and ethical business. We hire local talent at all levels regardless of race, color, religion, age, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability and actively foster inclusion in all forms both within our company and across interactions with clients, candidates, and partners.