📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Account Development Specialist
🔹 Company: UAP Inc.
🔹 Location: Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Sales
🔹 Date Posted: April 8, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Building and maintaining customer relationships
- Implementing sales development plans and strategies
- Collaborating with various sales teams and management
- Gathering market intelligence and providing feedback
- Assisting in collections and ensuring adherence to buying conditions
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong sales background and excellent communication skills. The ability to work independently and in a team is crucial for success in this position.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Call on installers to sell NAPA auto parts and programs, collaborating with various sales teams at the regional and corporate levels
✅ Implement sales development plans and support District and Regional strategies and objectives regarding the deployment of marketing programs and promotions
✅ Collaborate with District Sales Manager and Store managers to develop sales development plans for growing business with existing customers in their assigned territory
✅ Gather market intelligence and report service or product issues to assigned store managers and district sales manager
✅ Make pricing recommendations on accounts and assist in collections and ensuring accounts adhere to buying conditions
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a significant amount of travel to customer locations and requires strong time management skills to balance multiple priorities.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Not specified
Experience: 2-3 years of sales experience
Required Skills:
- Strong communication, negotiation, and time management skills
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, internet, and CRM
- Exceptional team player with a "can-do" attitude and passion for excellence
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in the automotive industry
- Bilingual (English/French) skills
ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, having a valid driver's license and access to a reliable vehicle are likely required for this role due to the nature of customer visits.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $55,000 - $65,000 CAD per year (based on industry standards for a sales role with 2-5 years of experience in the automotive industry)
Benefits:
- Competitive salary
- Attractive benefits package
- Corporate discounts
- Training and professional development opportunities
Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week. May include evenings and weekends based on customer needs.
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and performance.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: UAP Inc. is a leading distributor of automotive and heavy vehicle parts and accessories in Canada. They operate as a division of Genuine Parts Company, a global service organization.
Company Size: UAP Inc. employs over 5,000 individuals across Canada and is part of a larger organization with approximately 55,000 employees worldwide.
Founded: 1926, as a division of Genuine Parts Company
Company Description:
- UAP Inc. is the Canadian leader in the distribution, merchandising, and remanufacturing of automotive parts and Heavy vehicle parts distribution.
- The company employs over 5,000 individuals who work hard every day to build a recognized and reputable company.
- UAP Inc. is a member of the Genuine Parts Company (GPC) family, an international service organization engaged in the distribution of automotive and industrial replacement parts.
Company Specialties:
- Distribution and merchandising of automotive parts and accessories
- Heavy vehicle parts distribution
- Remanufacturing of automotive parts
Company Website: http://www.uapinc.com
ASSUMPTION: UAP Inc. values diversity and inclusion, as evidenced by their commitment to employment equity and encouraging applications from women, visible minorities, and people with disabilities.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level sales role with potential for growth and advancement within the company
Reporting Structure: The Account Development Specialist reports directly to the District Sales Manager and works closely with Store managers and various sales teams at the regional and corporate levels.
Work Arrangement: This role involves a significant amount of travel to customer locations, with a flexible schedule based on customer needs.
Growth Opportunities:
- Advancement to a District Sales Manager or other leadership roles within the company
- Expansion of product knowledge and expertise within the automotive industry
- Potential for increased compensation and benefits based on performance
ASSUMPTION: Successful candidates will have a strong sales background and a proven track record of building and maintaining customer relationships.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: On-site, with frequent travel to customer locations
Office Location(s): 525 Boxwood Dr., suite 1, Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
Geographic Context:
- Cambridge is a city in the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
- The city is located approximately 100 kilometers west of Toronto and has a population of around 130,000 people
- The area is known for its strong automotive industry and offers numerous opportunities for career growth and development
Work Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week. May include evenings and weekends based on customer needs.
ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will be comfortable with frequent travel and have a valid driver's license and reliable vehicle.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening
- In-person or virtual interview with the District Sales Manager
- Background check and reference checks
- Job offer
Key Assessment Areas:
- Sales experience and track record
- Communication and negotiation skills
- Time management and organizational skills
- Customer service and relationship-building skills
- Problem-solving and analytical skills
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your sales experience and relevant skills
- Prepare examples of your sales achievements and customer success stories
- Research the company and industry to demonstrate your knowledge and enthusiasm
- Practice common sales interview questions and be prepared to discuss your sales philosophy and approach
ATS Keywords: Sales experience, customer relationships, market intelligence, pricing recommendations, collections, buying conditions, team player, communication, negotiation, time management, Microsoft Office, CRM
ASSUMPTION: The application process may vary depending on the specific needs of the hiring manager and the company's current hiring practices.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho CRM)
- Customer relationship management tools (e.g., SalesLoft, Outreach, DiscoverOrg)
- Automotive industry-specific software and platforms (e.g., Mitchell1, Identifix, RepairPal)
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies used may vary depending on the company's current technology stack and the needs of the role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Integrity
- Customer focus
- Excellence
- Respect
- Accountability
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Results-driven and goal-oriented
- Adaptable and flexible
- Strong work ethic and commitment to customer success
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have a proven track record of building and maintaining customer relationships in a sales role?
- Are you comfortable working independently and in a team, with a flexible schedule based on customer needs?
- Do you have strong communication, negotiation, and time management skills?
- Are you passionate about the automotive industry and committed to providing exceptional customer service?
ASSUMPTION: Successful candidates will demonstrate a strong cultural fit with the company's values and work style, as well as a passion for the automotive industry and a commitment to customer success.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Frequent travel and time spent away from the office
- Working with a diverse customer base and adapting to their unique needs and preferences
- Managing multiple priorities and balancing sales development plans with day-to-day customer management
- Keeping up with industry trends and competitive threats, and providing timely feedback to management
ASSUMPTION: Successful candidates will be comfortable with frequent travel and have strong time management and organizational skills to balance multiple priorities.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Account Executive vs. Account Development Specialist: While both roles focus on building and maintaining customer relationships, the Account Executive role may involve more strategic planning and account management, while the Account Development Specialist role focuses more on sales development and growth.
- Sales Representative vs. Account Development Specialist: The Sales Representative role may be more focused on day-to-day sales and customer interactions, while the Account Development Specialist role involves a broader range of responsibilities, including sales development planning and market intelligence gathering.
- Career Path: The Account Development Specialist role can serve as a stepping stone to a District Sales Manager or other leadership roles within the company, providing opportunities for career growth and advancement.
ASSUMPTION: The specific responsibilities and requirements of similar roles may vary depending on the company and industry, as well as the candidate's experience and skills.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a sales development plan for a key customer account
- Gathering market intelligence on a competitor's pricing strategy and providing recommendations to management
- Assisting in the collection of outstanding accounts receivable and ensuring adherence to buying conditions
ASSUMPTION: The specific projects and tasks assigned may vary depending on the company's current needs and the candidate's skills and experience.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
- How does this role collaborate with other sales teams and management to achieve company objectives?
- What are the most challenging aspects of this role, and how have previous incumbents succeeded in overcoming them?
- How does the company support the professional development and growth of its sales team members?
- What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure success in this role, and how are they tracked and reported?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful and insightful questions during the interview process demonstrates your interest in the role and commitment to success.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your sales experience and relevant skills
- Prepare examples of your sales achievements and customer success stories
- Research the company and industry to demonstrate your knowledge and enthusiasm
- Practice common sales interview questions and be prepared to discuss your sales philosophy and approach
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
