Account Specialist

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Account Specialist

🔹 Company: Vallen Distribution Inc.

🔹 Location: Phoenix, Arizona, United States (Remote - Greater Phoenix or Tucson Candidates Only)

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time

🔹 Category: Sales

🔹 Date Posted: 2025-04-15

🔹 Experience Level: Intermediate (2-5 years)

🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (Remote with on-site requirements)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Selling and expanding the organization's solutions, products, and services
• Exploring new sales opportunities and building customer relationships
• Implementing strategic sales plans to meet contractual obligations
• Collaborating with the vendor/supplier community to support solutions selling opportunities

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of sales, customer relationship management, and strategic planning skills. Success in this position will depend on the candidate's ability to understand customer needs, generate value-added propositions, and drive cost savings commitments.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Leads efforts to explore, solicit, and obtain new sales opportunities within assigned accounts

✅ Builds rapport and collaborates with customers to understand their needs and generate value-added propositions around new products, processes, and services

✅ Drives cost savings commitments and ensures goals are exceeded and captured in Vallen VPP and/or customers' ERP system

✅ Designs and implements strategic sales plans to develop assigned accounts to meet and/or exceed contractual obligations

✅ Collaborates and builds relationships with the vendor/supplier community to support solutions selling opportunities and transition from non-franchised product to franchised product offerings related to those vendors

✅ Performs other related duties as requested

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of self-motivation, strong communication skills, and the ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with internal teams and customers.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., Business, Supply Chain Mgt, Marketing, Finance, etc.)

Experience: 3+ years of outside or inside sales experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience in supply chain management, wholesale distribution, industrial distribution, manufacturing, or a similarly applicable industry (indirect materials a plus)

Required Skills:

• Strong sales and product knowledge
• Ability to develop and cultivate customer relationships
• Strong communication, planning, organizational, time management, problem-solving, and customer service skills
• Demonstrated knowledge of product and solution-based sales life cycles and best-in-class processes
• Proficiency with MS-Office products (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint) and the technical aptitude to learn all company-specific programs and software applications

Preferred Skills:

• Indirect materials experience
• Fluency in Spanish

ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, having experience in the supply chain industry or a related field is highly preferred. Additionally, being bilingual (English/Spanish) may be beneficial for this role, given the location and customer base.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $60,000 - $80,000 per year (Estimated based on industry standards for a Sales role with 2-5 years of experience in the Phoenix, AZ area)

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick days)
• 401K with discretionary company match (US positions only)
• Employer-paid Basic Life for Employee, Spouse, and Dependents
• Employer-paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Vitality Wellness Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Resource Groups
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Employee Referral Program
• Safety Shoe and Safety Glasses Reimbursement
• Employee Discounts through BenefitHub

Working Hours: Full-time, with extended day, evening, and weekend work required as job duties demand and may include little to no advanced notice

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles in the Phoenix, AZ area. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Vallen Distribution Inc. operates in the Truck Transportation industry, focusing on supply chain solutions and the distribution of indirect materials.

Company Size: Vallen Distribution Inc. has 1,001-5,000 employees, making it a mid-sized company. This size allows for ample opportunities for growth and career advancement while still maintaining a relatively close-knit work environment.

Founded: Vallen Distribution Inc. was founded in 1954 and has since grown to become a market leader in its industry, providing supply chain solutions and distributing indirect materials to various global companies and institutions.

Company Description:

• Vallen Distribution Inc. is the market leader in the design, build, and management of supply chain solutions and a national distributor of indirect materials.
• The company's suite of supply chain solutions embodies its specialized supply chain knowledge in product procurement, inventory management, product application, and process improvements.
• Vallen Distribution Inc. currently provides solutions for over 600 global companies and institutions.

Company Specialties:

• Supply Chain Solutions
• E-Commerce
• Documented Cost Savings
• Technical Specialists
• Quality Business Management System
• Tool and Application Services
• Providing Thousands of Products from World-Class Brands

Company Website: http://www.vallen.com

ASSUMPTION: Vallen Distribution Inc. is a well-established company with a strong reputation in its industry. Its focus on supply chain solutions and indirect material distribution makes it an attractive employer for individuals interested in these fields.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is at the intermediate level, requiring 2-5 years of experience in a related field. It offers opportunities for growth and advancement within the company.

Reporting Structure: The Account Specialist reports directly to the Sales Manager and works closely with internal teams, such as the Operations and Customer Service departments, as well as external customers and vendors.

Work Arrangement: This role is hybrid, requiring both remote work and on-site presence. The candidate must be willing to travel to the Greater Phoenix or Tucson areas as needed.

Growth Opportunities:

• Progression to Senior Account Specialist or Account Manager roles
• Expansion into other areas of the business, such as Operations or Customer Service
• Potential international assignments, given the company's global customer base

ASSUMPTION: This role offers ample opportunities for growth and advancement within the company, particularly for individuals who demonstrate strong performance and a commitment to the company's values.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Vallen Distribution Inc. has multiple office locations, with the candidate required to work remotely and travel to the Greater Phoenix or Tucson areas as needed.

Office Location(s): 2100 The Oaks Parkway, Belmont, NC 28012, US (Headquarters); Remote work with on-site requirements for the Greater Phoenix or Tucson areas

Geographic Context:

• The Greater Phoenix and Tucson areas offer a mix of urban and suburban environments, with a generally warm and dry climate.
• The cost of living in both areas is relatively affordable compared to other major metropolitan areas in the United States.
• The regions have a diverse economy, with significant employment in industries such as healthcare, education, and technology.

Work Schedule: Full-time, with extended day, evening, and weekend work required as job duties demand and may include little to no advanced notice

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement and on-site requirements for this role may vary depending on the specific needs of the customer and the company.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screening
• In-person or virtual interview with the Sales Manager
• Final interview with the Director of Sales
• Background check and offer extension

Key Assessment Areas:

• Sales skills and product knowledge
• Customer relationship management
• Strategic planning and problem-solving abilities
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Cultural fit and alignment with company values

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your sales experience, customer relationship management skills, and any relevant industry-specific experience.
• Prepare examples of your sales achievements, customer success stories, and problem-solving scenarios to discuss during the interview.
• Research the company and its industry to demonstrate your understanding of the business and its competitive landscape.

ATS Keywords: Sales, Customer Relationship Management, Strategic Planning, Problem-Solving, Communication, Customer Service, Product Knowledge, Solution-Based Sales, MS Office Proficiency, Supply Chain Management, Industrial Distribution, Manufacturing, Negotiation

ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role may vary depending on the specific needs of the company and the candidate pool. It is essential to stay up-to-date with the latest information provided by the company during the application process.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• MS-Office products (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint)
• Company-specific programs and software applications
• CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot, or Zoho CRM)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, or Microsoft Project)

ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies required for this role may vary depending on the company's internal systems and processes.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Customer Focus
• Integrity
• Teamwork
• Accountability
• Continuous Improvement

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Results-driven and goal-oriented
• Adaptable and responsive to change
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How have you demonstrated customer focus in your previous roles?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you had to adapt to a significant change in your work environment, and how did you handle it?
• How do you prioritize and manage your time effectively when faced with multiple projects or tasks?

ASSUMPTION: Vallen Distribution Inc. values candidates who align with its core values and demonstrate a strong work ethic, commitment to customer success, and a collaborative approach to problem-solving.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple accounts and priorities effectively
• Adapting to the company's unique culture and work environment
• Developing and maintaining strong customer relationships in a remote work setting
• Meeting and exceeding contractual obligations and sales targets

ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong organizational skills, effective time management, and a commitment to continuous learning and improvement.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Compared to other Account Specialist roles, this position may require more frequent travel and on-site presence due to the hybrid work arrangement.
• Vallen Distribution Inc. focuses on supply chain solutions and indirect material distribution, which may differ from other companies in the industry.
• Career progression in this role may involve moving into Senior Account Specialist or Account Manager positions, with potential opportunities for international assignments.

ASSUMPTION: When comparing this role to similar positions, it is essential to consider the company's unique culture, work environment, and industry focus.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and implementing a strategic sales plan for a new account, resulting in a 20% increase in sales within the first six months
• Collaborating with the vendor/supplier community to transition a customer from non-franchised to franchised product offerings, leading to a 15% reduction in product costs
• Identifying and pursuing new sales opportunities within an existing account, generating $500,000 in new revenue over a 12-month period

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the candidate's ability to develop and execute strategic sales plans, collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders, and drive meaningful results.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the typical on-site requirements for this role, and how frequently will I be expected to travel to the Greater Phoenix or Tucson areas?
• How does the company support the professional development and growth of its Account Specialists?
• Can you provide an example of a time when the company adapted to a significant change in the market or industry, and how did it approach this challenge?
• How does the company measure and evaluate the performance of its Account Specialists, and what are the key metrics used to track success?
• What is the company's approach to work-life balance, and how does it support employees in maintaining a healthy work-life balance?

ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions will help the candidate better understand the role's expectations, the company's culture, and the opportunities for growth and development.

📌 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, customer relationship management skills, and any relevant industry-specific experience.
• Prepare examples of your sales achievements, customer success stories, and problem-solving scenarios to discuss during the interview.
• Research the company and its industry to demonstrate your understanding of the business and its competitive landscape.
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application and 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.