Sr Product File Analyst

Position Summary:

Vallen's Product File Specialist is an individual contributor position that supports the sales strategy for a specific product, product line, or a vertical product category/market as assigned. Product categories may include but are not limited to safety, lighting, compressors and like products; metalworking, cutting tools and lubricants; as well as power and hand tools. Product File Specialists work with existing, new and prospective clients to effectively discuss the features and benefits of product solutions. They are subject matter experts and are sought out by the company's outside sales and marketing teams to enhance Vallen's business opportunities and assist in achieving profitable sales objectives.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Continuously analyze and review industry trends and client feedback to anticipate future market needs for assigned product(s) of expertise.
• Assist Product Management with the development of profitable product strategies; develop strategic business plans that support approved product strategies.
• Seek out opportunities to propose solutions and improvements related to product usage.
• Produce sales within assigned product group(s); achieve target sales goals and adjusted gross margin 15% growth threshold; achieve all assigned productivity, profitability, and market penetration goals.
• Design and/or facilitate product training for customers and/or Vallen's internal sales associates.
• Promote sales by working closely with customers to understand their business objectives and pain points to effectively link product features and benefits to the customer's needs to promote product sales and solutions.
• Provide product knowledge and demonstration during sales calls, trade shows, or as requested; describe product features and value-added benefits to solicit new business opportunities and entice sales.
• Assess pipeline and sales activity to identify, assist, and manage product presentations, features, and requests.
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with internal support groups (e.g., marketing, business development, proposal and quotation teams, etc.).
• Assist in the identification and documentation of customer cost savings.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in a related field, e.g., Marketing, Business, etc. coupled with 5+ years relevant work experience. Relevant work experience includes:

• Demonstration of specific product category expertise.
• Demonstration of sales, financial and business acumen.
• Success in sales, marketing, purchasing, and/or pricing roles.
• Specific vendor and/or product training, certifications and/or special recognitions may be required.
• Proficient use with various Microsoft Office products. MS-Word, MS-Access, and MS-Excel requried, MS-Sharepoint, preferred.
• Must be a self-starter, work independently with little supervision, and have demonstrated effective time management, project planning, goal setting, organizational and execution skills.
• Be able to provide excellent customer service and demonstrate strong problem resolution abilities.

Work Environment & Physical Demands:

Reasonable accommodations will be evaluated and may be implemented to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions of this position.

• Routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, etc.
• Regularly required to talk and hear.
• Frequently required to sit.
• Occasionally required to stand and walk.
• Must be able to get self to and from various work locations. This typically requires a valid driver's license to operate a moving vehicle (personal, company, and/or rental).
• May be required to wear various forms of protective equipment (shoes, gloves, protective eyewear, etc.) when making sales calls and/or visiting warehouse, manufacturing, customer and/or supplier facilities.
• May be exposed to facilities subject to seasonal temperature fluctuations (hot in summer, cold in winter) and conditions (dirt, smoke, concrete surfaces, etc.) when viewing and/or demonstrating products.
• Occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus.
• Long periods of time working on a computer and performing repetitive key-boarding activities is required.
• Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand and may include little to no advanced notice.