Project Quotations Specialist - Council Bluffs IA

Your career grows here.

At Echo Electric, a brand owned by Sonepar, we are a leader in electrical distribution. Echo Electric represents over $1.2 billion in sales covering Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Nebraska, and Southern South Dakota. As part of Sonepar, the worldwide leader in electrical distribution, we have a global reach that allows us to offer excellent benefits and develop innovative solutions, while maintaining our strong local roots and close-knit culture. We empower our associates to contribute to our success by adopting the adapt, dare, learn mindset-- adapt to new situations and people, dare to appropriately challenge the status quo, and learn from others and our own experiences.

The Quotations Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the bidding quotation process for customer requests and projects in an accurate and timely manner and in conjunction with the appropriate sales associates.  Each quotation shall be prepared in a manner which reflects the branch’s sales and profitability objectives.

Shift: Monday- Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM.

We’re looking for a team player who:

• Analyzes project blueprints to identify required specifications to prepare a bill of materials needed.
• Prepare projects bills of material and submit to appropriate vendors for pricing information.
• Formulate the bid’s unique pricing strategy by combining the vendor’s pricing information received with the branch’s sales margin objectives, coordinate pricing strategy with appropriate sales and management representatives.
• Prepare and submit project bid proposals in a complete and accurate manner which reflects the formulated pricing strategy, assuring all submissions deadlines are met.
• Maintain an accurate follow-up system for actively tracking bids and quotations provided to customers
• Assist development of group bidding strategy based on follow-up feedback.
• Upon achievement of proposal award, coordinate the ordering and delivery processes with sales associates to ensure materials are delivered in accordance with the terms outlined in the bid proposal.
• Monitor the progress of ordering activities associated with bid projects to assure the accuracy of the bid’s pricing and terms.
• Prescribe limits of profit mark-up and evaluates profit performance on quotations with the Branch Manager to assure that performance is aligned with the branch’s sales and profitability objectives.
• Continuously communicate with customers throughout the quotation/bid process to share information related to products, manufacturer’s pricing, shipping, requirements, etc.  
• Maintain current knowledge of products inventoried, including appropriate product substitutions.
• Develop product knowledge and understand product applications
• Attend product training classes to develop superior product knowledge to handle customer applications.
• Maintain ethical, cooperative manufacturer relationships consistent with company image and company/branch goals in the marketplace.
• Develops and maintain appropriate manufacturer contacts.
• Negotiate special pricing contracts and accurately document sales under said contracts.
• Maintain current knowledge of inventory, including appropriate substitutions.
• Maintains a complete and updated library of manufacturers catalogs.
• Develop an effective and productive working relationship with Outside Sales Associates, Inside Sales Associates, and support personnel.
• Exchange customer information needs in a timely fashion with Outside and Inside Sales Associates, Branch Manager and Corporate Purchasing staff.
• Inform and educate relevant branch associates on pricing changes and strategies to assure all customer pricing is conducted on a consistent basis.
• Support other branches in their effects to secure and facilitate customer orders.
• Proved support to branch as directed.
• Provides daily schedule to location’s receptionist.
• Report any observed customer financial weakness to management
• Attend sales meetings and specified manufacturer’s schools to develop product knowledge.
• Performs other duties assigned for workload balance and/or skill development.
• Perform other duties as instructed or required to successfully complete the job.

What you bring:

• Bachelor degree in business or related field or equivalent on the job experience as determined by Echo Electric.
• 3+ years of experience with electrical and lighting products and other related project material.
• Demonstrated customer and vendor relationship building and maintenance skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and concisely in written and verbal formats.
• Strong mathematical and analytical skills.
• Ability to accurately read blueprints and spec layouts.
• Strong attention to details and demonstrated follow-up skills.
• Demonstrated time management and organization skills, including the ability to plan and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Strong customer service orientation.
• Commitment to and demonstration of high ethical standards governing professional behavior and interactions.
• Proven proficiency in the use of a personal computer accompanied by a strong aptitude for technical applications, as well as in the use of Microsoft Office software, including Word & Excel.
• Developed knowledge of the industrial/commercial/contractor market.
• Demonstrated capability to develop strong interpersonal working relationships and work in a team environment.
• Ability to sit prolonged periods of time, including as a driver or passenger in an automobile.
• Ability to utilize a computer keyboard, computer monitor, and telephone for prolonged periods of time.
• Ability to lift, carry, and otherwise transport work-related materials that frequently weigh up to 25 lbs. and that may occasionally weigh in excess of 25 lbs

#LI=MD1

What we offer:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance plus employer paid short term and long-term disability and life insurance.
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• 401K match
• Profit Sharing
• Tuition reimbursement and employee development.
• Annual Safety Shoe Reimbursement
• Employee Discount on products
• Access to a variety of trainings for personal development

Who we are:

We’re the world’s number one distributor of electrical products, solutions and related services. Echo Electric is owned by Sonepar, a global company with over 500 locations nationwide. Whether you grow at one of our local Opcos or at one in another region, we want you to grow with us! All associates are regularly trained and we value promoting from within when possible.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Sonepar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability unrelated to ability, marital status, family responsibilities, pregnancy, genetic information, sexual orientation, order of protection status, protected veteran or military status, or an unfavorable discharge from military service, or any other categories protected by federal, state or local law.

EEO is the Law

Applicants and employees are protected under Federal law from discrimination. To learn more, Click here. 

Pay Transparency Non-Discrimination Provision

Sonepar follows Executive Order 11246, including the Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision. To learn more, Click here.