Quotations Specialist

Quotations Specialist

Be 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: Kansas City, MO or St Joseph, MO, or Springfield, MO, or Topeka, KS, or Manhattan, KS, or Wichita, KS.

Job Summary

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.

Responsibilities

• Performs takeoffs of bids and pricing functions that will include products such as fixtures, lighting, lamps, inverters, 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.

Qualifications

Minimum 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.

Skills and Abilities

Strong 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. Excellent customer service skills include being competent, accurate, responsive, and engaged.

Physical Requirements

This 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.