International Inside Sales Representative

International Inside Sales Representative - CPBU

Position Snapshot

The inside sales representative assists customers and coworkers with resolving a variety of inquiries via telephone and email. Inside sales reps handle transaction management, record keeping, problem solving, and relationship building with our customers. In this role you will support our customers, our sales managers, accounting, credit, shipping, logistics, and scheduling teams while achieving an elevated level of customer satisfaction. Following up with your customers on quotes sent but not yet ordered is a critical step in ensuring Insteel keeps the business.

In addition to the inside sales duties, this position requires bilingual capability including English and Spanish with excellent verbal and written communication skills in both languages. Accountable for formulating and setting the marketing strategy for products for international accounts.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

An individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily.

• Develops strong business relationships with a diverse group of customers. By communicating consistently to keep customers updated on their orders, inventories, and current market trends, the inside sales rep earns the trust of our customers and helps to ensure a long-term and successful business relationship.
• Maintaining appropriate inventory levels of stock material for high volume customers.
• Communication with customers and territory district sales managers on orders that will be late is a vital part of keeping the trust high between all parties.
• Analyzing the customer's current and recent activity along with historical data, current usage patterns of customers, and knowledge of the current market, reps will consistently review and adjust stock levels, seeking input and approval from customers, district sales managers, and national sales managers.
• Responsible for keeping excess inventory at a minimum by using the tools and knowledge Insteel provides to continuously offer inventory we have in stock, as well as staying aware of your customers' usage throughout each season.
• Generate quotations for a variety of products as requested by customers. Quotes should be sent back to customers within a reasonable period depending on the particulars of the project.
• Variables for creating quotes can often include converting customer provided information to Insteel drawings and item descriptions that will allow dimensions, weights, freight cost, etcetera, to be considered by district sales managers.
• Processes orders for manufacture and shipments daily. This typically includes scheduling orders with the master production scheduler, obtaining credit release and coordinating shipment.
• Follows up on outstanding quotations to obtain purchase orders from customers.
• Reviews order shortfalls with District Sales Manager and Inside Sales Supervisor to jointly decide on appropriate action.
• Obtains information for processing new accounts, follows through processing and establishing credit.
• Monitors daily production versus expected completion dates and respond appropriately if production is late.
• Manages claims and complaints with customers on a timely basis, while communicating with supervisor and District Sales Manager.
• Problem solves to ensure a high customer satisfaction rate while navigating to stay ahead of customer's needs.
• Develop, implement, and monitor the strategic sales plan for the sales of all manufactured and procured products to foreign markets to enhance Insteel's position as a foreign competitor with proven bottom-line results and accommodate corporate goals while continuously developing and improving marketing methods and practices.
• Develops and conduct market surveys when needed to provide forecasts, budgets, planning, pricing and policies for international sales, including monitoring and evaluating the activities and products of the competition. Sets performance goals accordingly.
• Plans and make visits to customers to identify requirements and resolve all technical problems encountered with product application.
• Represents company at trade association meetings to promote products, as needed.
• Communicates daily by telephone to update inquiries, orders, projected usage, inventories, and market trends.
• Prepares and files Shippers Export declaration as required by the US Department of Commerce (SED's).
• Initiate contact with shipping companies to obtain and negotiate shipping rates and book the shipments with the most advantageous carrier.
• Prepares and sends quotations, invoices, packing lists, compliance certificates, letters of transmittal and other documents required by international customers in accordance with individual requirements of different international destinations such as NAFTA, CAFTA, and United Chamber of Commerce etc.
• Places orders for resale products, assists in price negotiations and approves vendor invoices for payment when these are completed to satisfaction. Including coordinating vendor specifications and order entry with mills and vendors, when needed.
• Assists National Sales Manager, District Sales Managers, and Inside Sales Supervisor in administrative matters, especially in promotion of sales.
• Maintains price and office files.
• Arranges for payment of goods prior to shipment.
• Assists in obtaining payments on overdue invoices.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None.

Professional Qualifications

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent problem-solving and critical thinking abilities to analyze complex issues and develop effective solutions.
• Proven ability to manage time effectively, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within cross-functional teams and across organizational levels.
• Demonstrated initiative and resourcefulness in researching, troubleshooting, and resolving challenges.
• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with integrity.
• Comfortable working both independently and collaboratively within a team.

Education and Experience

• High school diploma required; associate degree preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience
• Strong basic math skills and attention to accuracy
• Proficiency with standard office equipment (calculator, telephone, etc.)
• Working knowledge of Microsoft office programs such as outlook & excel
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• This position requires bilingual capability including English and Spanish with excellent verbal and written communication skills in both languages.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The physical demands of an office, desk job setting are generally low and primarily sedentary in nature. The role typically involves prolonged periods of sitting at a desk while working on a computer, with occasional standing, walking, or light lifting of items such as files, office supplies, or small equipment. Employees may also perform repetitive motions such as typing or using a mouse. Good posture and ergonomic workstations are important to minimize strain or discomfort. Overall, the physical requirements are minimal and well-suited to individuals capable of routine desk-based work in a standard office environment.

Work Environment

The work environmental characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The work environment for this position is typically professional and structured, centered around office-based tasks performed at a desk using a computer and standard office equipment such as printers, telephones, and copiers. Employees work in a clean, climate-controlled setting with air conditioning, designed to support comfort and productivity. The campus is tobacco-free, promoting a healthy and respectful atmosphere for all staff. This environment often includes quiet workspaces, access to meeting rooms, and a business-casual dress code, supporting both individual focus and team collaboration.

These duties may be modified or changed at any time at the sole discretion of management either orally or in writing. The above statements are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of this position. All employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.