Customer Service Representative & Inside Sales

Weldstar Gases & Welding Supplies; Kankakee (IL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Weldstar Gases & Welding Supplies seeks an Inside Sales and Customer Service Representative to support internal and phone customer sales, ensure showroom readiness, and coordinate with drivers for timely deliveries.

The role requires strong organizational and communication skills, 3–5 years in a related field, and the ability to work in a busy retail/warehouse setting with physical demands. on-site work in Illinois.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Electrical, Welding, or Technical training program preferred.
• 3–5 years inside sales or customer service experience in industrial equipment, gases or welding preferred.

Responsibilities

• Handle internal, phone, and walk-in customer sales and service efficiently.
• Set up showroom displays, stock shelves, and maintain showroom condition.
• Open/close store, handle cash, and secure receipts.
• Process orders, quotes, and rental agreements; coordinate with Outside Sales.

Skills

Organizational skills

Customer service

Time management

Mechanical aptitude

MSDS literacy

Regulatory knowledge

Problem solving

Education

High school diploma

Technical training

Electrical/Welding training

Job description

The Inside Sales and Customer Service Representative will report to the Regional Operations Manager and be responsible for processing internal and phone customer sales and service activities in a safe and efficient manner for timely delivery to our customers. Ensure our store locations are adequately stocked with required product lines. Assist customers in identifying proper needs and proper application. You will work effectively in a team environment with minimum supervision and maintain a positive working relationship with customers and employees.

Essential Functions:

• Complete overall sales and customer service duties for online, call-in and walk-in customers
• Set up showroom product displays, stock shelves and maintain the general condition of the showroom.
• Open and close the store each day; cash-out and securely store receipts in safe.
• Check-in equipment repairs; perform non-major equipment maintenance or repair.
• Assemble new welding equipment for display.
• Interface with drivers on delivery manifest and driver tickets verification.
• Processes credit card charges and communicates daily with Outside Sales Associate on inquiries and / or orders received.
• Prepares quotes for outside sales and fax to clients as required.
• Ensures proper generation of rental agreements and associated documents.
• Interface with the Purchasing Department regarding various stocking issues i.e., disposal of dead stock, sourcing materials for customers, expediting orders, etc.
• Complete necessary cycle counts and inventory control of products; adjust inventory with the purchasing department and perform required computer transactions.
• Meet with manufacturer sales representative regarding new products, application issues, defective products, promotions, etc.
• Complete product application training of Weldstar sales and customer service employees.
• Provide quotes and bids for larger projects requiring welding equipment and specialty gases.
• As required, receive new items and enter into computer; fill back orders and assist in shipping/receiving duties.
• Maneuvering, lifting, and carrying items in excess of 50 lbs. and pushing/pulling items up to 1000 lbs. with proper assistance.
• Operating digital scales, forklifts, pallet jacks, hand carts in accordance with safety standards.
• Troubleshooting problems and malfunctions.
• Maintaining proper decals, warning signs, hazardous identifications, ownership, normal operational settings, emergency contacts, and other required markings.
• Providing additional support through communications, documentation; and answering customer and team member questions.
• Performing other related duties assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Must be able to proactively and methodically deal with conflicting goals and challenging situations.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Good mechanical aptitude – Providing analytical and troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive/confidential information.
• Good knowledge of the regulatory requirements supporting both the facilities operation and manufacturing, distribution environments.
• Able to read and comprehend material safety data sheets.

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Electrical, Welding, or Technical training program preferred
• Minimum 3 – 5 years inside sales or customer service experience, preferably in industrial equipment, specialty gases or welding industry.
• Prior experience in a retail and/or warehouse distribution setting preferred
• Position is primarily desk-based with regular use of office equipment (computer, phone, faxes, copiers, scanners, etc.).
• Subject of working in environmental conditions ranging from below freezing to over 100 degrees
• Subject to noise; there is sufficient noise to cause the need to shout to be heard above ambient noise level.
• Subject to hazards; includes a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, moving vehicles.

Physical Demands

Some duties of this job include physical work which will require operating forklifts, manual pallet jacks, and carts to keep facilities clean and orderly. Stooping, squatting, reaching, walking, standing, and lifting throughout the day. This position requires the ability to lift more than 50 lbs. regularly and push/pull items up to 1000 lbs. with proper assistance.