Quotations Specialist

Quotations SpecialistBe part of a growing, successful company in an exciting and challenging field. Border States is 100% employee-owned, which means you're empowered to make decisions, find solutions and receive rewards for your hard work. This position will be located in Duluth, MN or Eau Claire, WI.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.ResponsibilitiesEssential FunctionsPerforms 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 or products such as fixtures, lighting, lamps, and dimming systems.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 follows-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 our customers.Actively participates in coordinating, analyzing, and acting upon information and feedback of customer needs, pricing, products, competition, and procedures.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.Non-Essential FunctionsProvides 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.QualificationsMinimum 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 and AbilitiesStrong 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.Physical RequirementsFrequency 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 at which you would do the following in a typical day: Sitting (a continuous period of being seated) - Continuously Standing (for sustained periods of time) - Frequently Walking (moving about on foot to accomplish tasks) - Frequently Bending/stooping (downward and forward) - Occasionally Crawling (moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet) - Not at all Climbing/Walking Stairs (ascending or descending) - Frequently Reaching (extending arms in any direction) - Frequently Crouching/squatting (bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine) - Occasionally Kneeling (bending legs at knee to come to rest on knee(s)) - Occasionally Balancing (maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling) - Occasionally Repetitive motion (substantial movement (motions) or the wrists, hands, and/or fingers) - Continuously Pivoting (movement in any direction with one foot, keeping the other in contact with the floor) - Occasionally Pushing/Pulling (using upper extremities to press against or draw or tug) - Occasionally Grasping (Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm) - Continuously Fingering (picking, pinching, typing; working with primarily fingers and not whole hand) - Continuously Talking (expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word) - Continuously Driving (the control and operation of a motor vehicle) - Occasionally Desk work (work usually performed at a desk) - Continuously Use of a computer - Continuously Use of a telephone - Continuously Hearing (Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels) - Continuously Exposure (to adverse weather & temperature conditions) - Occasionally Travel (travel needed to perform job duties) - OccasionallyAdditional InformationThis job description is a summary of the job duties and responsibilities and is not intended to cover all possible job duties and is subject to change at the employer's discretion. Employees must be able to perform the essential job duties and satisfy job requirements either with or without a reasonable accommodation. The pay range for this position is $66,400 per year to $95,000 per year, depending on experience.