Outside Sales - Customer Specialist - Merlo Energy

The Kendall Group, Inc.; Aston Township (PA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Kendall Group, Inc. is seeking a Customer Specialist to join the Merlo Sales team in Aston Township, PA. This role involves building relationships with distributors and customers while promoting products and services. The ideal candidate will have at least 3 years of sales experience and a strong proficiency in MS Office, particularly Excel.

Key responsibilities include generating sales, implementing strategies, and monitoring quotations to maximize productivity. Strong organizational and communication skills are essential for success in this position.

Qualifications

• 3 years of sales experience required.
• Proficient with MS Office, especially Excel.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Generate profitable orders and meet sales targets.
• Implement sales strategies for your territory.
• Build trust with customers and manufacturers.
• Search for new prospects to expand the customer base.

Skills

Sales experience

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Customer service

Technical knowledge

Negotiation skills

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or business (preferred)

Tools

MS Office (Excel)

Job description

About The Kendall Group

The Kendall Group is comprised of eight divisions with 75+ locations in ten states. Combined, we serve the Electrical, Automation, Pipe, Valve, and Fitting products, Steam, Lighting, Industrial Controls, and Instrumentation Industries. The Kendall Group is a 100% employee‑owned company.

Role Summary

Reporting to the Sales Manager, the Customer Specialist is a key member of the Merlo Sales team. The person in this role is responsible for establishing and nurturing relationships with distributors, engineers, and end users. This role involves promoting products or services, understanding client needs, and collaborating with internal teams to meet sales targets. Effective communication, market analysis, and strategic planning are crucial to drive business growth and ensure customer satisfaction.

Responsibilities

• Generate profitable orders and meet or exceed annual sales targets
• Create and implement sales strategies for developing your assigned territory
• Establish trust and confidence between Merlo Energy, manufacturers, and customers
• Plan, organize, and execute field activities such as customer visits and walk‑about surveys to achieve maximum productivity
• Monitor all quotations and ensure professional follow‑up to maximize sales
• Analyze unconverted quotations, understand reasons for loss, and recommend improvements
• Regularly review field activities and implement improvements to drive productivity and efficiency
• Search for new prospects to expand the customer base and identify new sales opportunities
• Develop a full understanding of your customer base and stay aware of market activities and competitors
• Identify and convert sales opportunities into orders
• Continually upgrade product knowledge and selling techniques through training and self‑study
• Apply product knowledge by making technical proposals and demonstrating benefits to customers
• Perform other duties as assigned

Competencies

• Service Excellence
• Results & action oriented
• Accountability & responsibility
• Understanding others & listening
• Teamwork & collaboration
• Priority setting
• Problem solving
• Time management

What you’ll need

• 3 years of sales experience
• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Proficiency with MS Office (especially Excel); mechanical aptitude; technical knowledge of institutional systems and applications
• Highly organized; detail‑oriented
• Ability to work well cross‑functionally; excellent customer service; strong presentation skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication; strong negotiating and sales planning skills
• Frequent sitting, driving, and vehicle entry/exit; ability to see, sit, stand, walk, talk, and hear; ability to stand for 8 hours; ability to climb stairs and step ladders, bend, stoop, crouch, and kneel
• Normal office environment with exposure to warehouse, fabrication settings, and moving equipment
• Willing to travel up to 25% with minimal overnight
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license

Qualifications we prefer but don’t require

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or business

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Kendall Group is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, military status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.