Associate Seller & Lead Generator

Ascend; Greenville (SC); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401(k)

Employee Assistance Program

Disability Insurance

Paid Holidays

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Ascend is seeking an Associate Seller – Market Development Specialist to identify, qualify, and develop new business opportunities in assigned markets, generating high‑quality leads and securing initial meetings with decision makers.

You will build market intelligence, expand relationships, and increase awareness of Ascend transportation solutions, creating a scalable pipeline development function and a clear path into sales leadership.

Qualifications

• Experience in B2B sales or business development.
• Identify private fleet conversion opportunities and transportation outsourcing prospects.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Experience using CRM to track prospects and opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain target account lists within assigned territories.
• Identify private fleet conversion opportunities and transportation outsourcing prospects.
• Research, qualify, and prioritize prospective customers.
• Generate qualified leads for various transportation solutions.
• Maintain prospect intelligence and CRM activity.

Skills

Lead generation

Market development

Cold calling

Email outreach

CRM discipline

Pipeline growth

Tools

CRM software

Job description

Posted Thursday, September 3, 2026 at 6:00 AM

Ascend and its affiliates—DTS, DSD, and Fuchs—are shaping the future of truckload transportation through smart technology and a strong commitment to efficiency and fairness. We foster an inclusive workplace where team members can grow, achieve their goals, and maintain a healthy work‑life balance.

Role Purpose

The Associate Seller – Market Development Specialist is responsible for identifying, qualifying, and developing new business opportunities within assigned markets. The primary focus of the role is generating high‑quality leads, securing initial customer meetings, identifying private fleet conversion opportunities, and advancing prospects into the DTS/DSD sales pipeline.

This position serves as the front end of the sales process, creating qualified opportunities for senior sales leadership while building market intelligence, expanding customer relationships, and increasing awareness of DTS/DSD transportation solutions.

The role is designed to create a scalable pipeline development function while providing a structured career path into a full business development and sales role. This position emphasizes prospecting activity, opportunity generation, CRM discipline, and pipeline growth rather than direct account ownership.

Primary Responsibilities

Lead Generation & Market Development

• Develop and maintain target account lists within assigned territories.
• Identify private fleet conversion opportunities and transportation outsourcing prospects.
• Research, qualify, and prioritize prospective customers.
• Generate qualified leads for Dedicated, Brokerage, and Transportation Solutions offerings.
• Maintain prospect intelligence and market activity within CRM.

Prospecting Activities

• Conduct structured cold-calling campaigns.
• Execute email outreach and cadence programs.
• Schedule introductory meetings with qualified decision makers.
• Attend local networking events, trade shows, and industry meetings.
• Build relationships with transportation managers, distribution leaders, supply chain leaders, and fleet decision makers.

Opportunity Advancement

• Secure first sales meetings between qualified prospects and senior sales leadership.
• Gather preliminary customer data and business requirements.
• Identify fleet size, operational complexity, service issues, and outsourcing opportunities.
• Document customer needs and opportunity details.
• Support transition of qualified prospects into formal sales pursuit activity.
• Support proposal preparation and customer research.
• Participate in weekly pipeline reviews.
• Maintain CRM accuracy and activity tracking.
• Assist senior sales leadership with follow-up activities and opportunity development.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMITMENT

Ascend is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse, inclusive environment where all individuals may grow and thrive, respecting the different experiences that each employee brings to their job. Ascend believes that a diverse work environment results in a better experience for employees and customers and makes Ascend stronger.

With our mission of diversity and inclusion in mind, we provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions), religion, age, disability, citizenship, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity or expression), marital status, ancestry, genetic information, veteran and/or military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law or Ascend policy.

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees in this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for this position, other duties outside of normal responsibilities may be performed as necessary to meet the needs of the organization. Nothing in this position description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time.

WE OFFER

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage (effective the 1st of the month after hire)
• 401(k)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Enhanced benefits, including Short‑Term and Long‑Term Disability
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Time Off

Equal Employment Opportunity Commitment

Ascend is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse, inclusive environment where all individuals may grow and thrive, respecting the different experiences that each employee brings to their job. Ascend believes that a diverse work environment results in a better experience for employees and customers and makes Ascend stronger.

With our mission of diversity and inclusion in mind, we provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions), religion, age, disability, citizenship, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity or expression), marital status, ancestry, genetic information, veteran and/or military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law or Ascend policy.