Product Manager - Automation

Border States; Big Spring (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental and Vision Benefits

401(k) Retirement Plan

Employee Stock Ownership Plan

Job summary

Border States is seeking a dedicated professional for a role that supports the day-to-day operations of Account Managers and Customer Service Reps. You'll provide product, application, and technical support, making joint sales calls and consulting with customers on system applications.

Ideal candidates should have a four-year technical degree and three years of electrical distribution experience. Key skills include excellent customer service and communication capabilities, ensuring customer satisfaction at every level.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three years of prior electrical distribution and quotation experience.
• Prefer knowledge of electrical and hi-tech industrial products.
• Ability to read, write, and speak in English.

Responsibilities

• Supports day-to-day operations of Account Managers and Customer Service Reps.
• Works closely with sales and marketing staff to exceed objectives.
• Evaluates new products and makes recommendations on stock levels.

Skills

Excellent customer service skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Education

Four-year technical or engineering degree

Tools

Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint)

SAP software

Job description

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: Nashville, TN; Knoxville, TN; Chattanooga, TN; Murfreesboro, TN; Cookeville, TN.

Application Deadline: July 2, 2026 or posted until filled.

Job Summary

Supports day-to-day operations of Account Managers, Customer Service Reps, and customers by providing product, application, and technical support and service. Regularly supports automation customers and makes joint sales calls with Account Managers to secure orders and perform other sales support functions for technical products and services. Consults with customers on product and system applications in area of responsibility.

Essential Functions

• Supports day-to-day operations of Account Managers, Customer Service Reps, and customers by providing product, application, and technical support and service.
• Works closely with Border States’ sales and marketing staff to meet and exceed sales and gross profit objectives.
• Regularly supports automation customers and makes joint sales calls with Account Managers to secure orders and perform other sales support functions for technical products and services including but not limited to providing customers field support by phone or other means, application support, repair service, training, and other services as required.
• Consults with customers on product and system applications.
• Provides customers with timely follow-up on quotations, technical inquiries and other requests.
• Inputs TCCM cost savings documentation relevant to assigned customer base.
• Provides continuous contact and interaction with customer’s engineering staff, contractors and consultants.
• Provides specific or specialized product support for branches and customers.
• Actively participates in the marketing, planning, and sale of Border States’ technical products and services, including Schneider Electric Automation Products.
• Participates in and advises management on implementation and success of marketing plans and strategies.
• Provides input to other sales and marketing staff on customer needs and concerns regarding pricing, products, competition, procedures, and market potential.
• Evaluates new products and makes recommendations on stock levels for new and existing products.
• Leads customer and BSE employee training on new and existing automation product lines and applications in specified product areas.
• Designs, develops and/or maintains database and documentation files such as engineering and technical records, TCCM savings, customer parts database by SKU including technical reference information (guides, specifications and standards), product and vendor files, technical reference library, and customer information file.
• Evaluates and manages regional demo equipment and makes suggestions for new products in specified product areas.

Non-essential Functions

• Provides input to the pricing and purchasing departments on product evaluations and code descriptions, inventory management, pricing developments, and other related functions.
• Ensures existing demos are in functional condition.
• Performs product updates and new product launches for branches and customers as required.
• Attends and assists with sales meetings, trade shows and training programs as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor or designate.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a four-year technical or engineering degree preferred or equivalent in work experience.
• Prefer knowledge and technical competence in understanding electrical and hi-tech industrial products and applications including industrial automation software and hardware.
• Minimum of three years of prior electrical distribution and quotation experience preferred with comprehensive knowledge of BSE product lines and applications, alternative product substitutes and supplier pricing policies.
• Ability to read, write and speak in English preferred.
• Prefer strong working knowledge of PC for Windows, Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint), Internet, Email and SAP software.

Skills and Abilities

• Consistently provides responsive, quality service to meet and exceed customer expectations.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication 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

Frequency at which you would carry/lift in a typical day:

• Occasionally 0 – 33%
• Frequently 34 – 66%
• Continuously 67 – 100%

Lift from Waist

• <10 lbs. - Not at all
• 10 to 25 lbs. - Not at all
• 26 to 50 lbs. - Not at all
• 51 to 75 lbs. - Not at all
• 75 to 100 lbs. - Not at all
• 100+ lbs. - Not at all

Lift from Floor

• <10 lbs. - Frequently
• 10 to 25 lbs. - Frequently
• 26 to 50 lbs. - Frequently
• 51 to 75 lbs. - Not at all
• 75 to 100 lbs. - Not at all
• 100+ lbs. - Not at all

Carried for Distance

• <10 lbs. - Not at all
• 10 to 25 lbs. - Not at all
• 26 to 50 lbs. - Not at all
• 51 to 75 lbs. - Not at all
• 75 to 100 lbs. - Not at all
• 100+ lbs. - Not at all

Physical Activity

• Sitting (continuous period seated) - Continuously
• Standing (sustained periods) - Frequently
• Walking - Frequently
• Bending/stooping - Frequently
• Crawling - Not at all
• Climbing/Walking Stairs - Frequently
• Reaching - Frequently
• Crouching/squatting - Occasionally
• Kneeling - Occasionally
• Balancing - Occasionally
• Repetitive motion of wrists, hands, and fingers - Frequently
• Pivoting - Occasionally
• Pushing/Pulling - Occasionally
• Grasping - Frequently
• Fingering - Frequently
• Talking - Continuously
• Driving - Frequently
• Desk work - Frequently
• Use of a computer - Frequently
• Use of a telephone - Continuously
• Hearing - Continuously
• Exposure to adverse weather & temperature conditions - Occasionally
• Travel - Frequently

Additional Information

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.

Benefits

• Health, Dental and Vision Benefits
• Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity
• FSA & HSA
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Disability Benefits
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Holidays

  Equal Opportunity For All

  It’s not just the law. It’s something we’ve believed in since our founding. We value the diversity of all of our employee-owners and will always be an equal opportunity employer.

  Drug Free/Smoke Free workplace

  Employment may be contingent on the offered candidate successfully passing one or more of the following pre‑employment screenings:

  • Criminal background check (required for all positions)
  • Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check (required for positions involving driving)
  • Drug testing