Inside Sales Representative
5 days ago
Chicago
Company Description IDEC Corporation was founded in 1945 and is listed with the Tokyo Stock Exchange with the headquarters located in Osaka, Japan. IDEC designs, manufactures and markets control automation products throughout the world. The products which we develop with ardent devotion to safety, higher productivity and environmental improvements include switches, relays, PLCs, operator interfaces, explosion-proof products, and LED lighting. IDEC also provides customized control solutions, including robot system integration where absolute safety is required in places with people and robots working as a team. The Mission With a customer-centric mindset, the Inside Sales Representative is responsible for supporting revenue growth and market expansion by proactively engaging customers, qualifying and nurturing leads, and providing day-to-day support to the outside sales team to help close sales opportunities. This role works closely with cross-functional teams and requires strong communication skills, sales acumen, and technical understanding to deliver a seamless and positive customer experience. Primary Role Responsibilities The Inside Sales Representative’s primary responsibility is to support the outside sales team by managing day-to-day sales activities, qualifying and developing opportunities, and ensuring timely and accurate follow-up with customers and distributors. This role also manages a portfolio of smaller and developing customer accounts, drives pipeline growth, and collaborates closely with marketing, product management, and field sales to support revenue growth and deliver a seamless customer experience. Key duties include: • Support the outside sales team by qualifying leads, developing opportunities, preparing and following up on quotes, and providing ongoing account and sales support., • Identify and qualify potential customers through outbound calls, emails, and other lead-generation activities, • Serve as a primary point of contact for customers and distributors on pricing, quotations, and order-related inquiries in support of outside sales efforts, • Own and manage a portfolio of smaller and developing customer accounts, including relationship management, opportunity identification, and closing sales, • Coordinate closely with outside sales representatives to share account insights, schedule meetings, transition growing accounts, and ensure clear ownership and coverage, • Respond to inbound inquiries, follow up on marketing-generated leads, training events and trade shows, • Conduct research to understand customer needs, applications, pain points, and purchasing behavior, • Prepare, deliver, and follow up on quotes, sample requests, and product information for both assigned accounts and outside sales support, • Manage sales opportunities through the pipeline—from qualification through closing—using Salesforce CRM, • Maintain accurate, timely, and complete customer, opportunity, and activity records in Salesforce to ensure pipeline visibility and forecast accuracy, • Collaborate with marketing and product teams to align sales activities with campaigns, promotions, and product initiatives, • Participate in ongoing training to strengthen product knowledge, sales skills, and understanding of IDEC solutions, • Escalate complex technical questions, negotiations, or strategic opportunities to the Inside Sales Manager or outside sales team as appropriate, • Consistently meet or exceed assigned sales targets, account growth goals, and activity metrics Desired Work Experience, Qualifications, & Skills • 2+ years of inside sales, sales support, or account management experience in a B2B sales environment, • Hands-on experience using Salesforce as a CRM to manage accounts, opportunities, and sales activities, • Strong customer communication and relationship-building skills, • Proven ability to manage multiple accounts and priorities simultaneously, • Highly organized with strong follow-up, time-management, and attention-to-detail skills, • Team-oriented, self-motivated, and results-driven mindset, • Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams), • Previous inside sales experience within industrial distribution and technical B2B sales organizations, • Technical background or exposure to electronic components, industrial automation, controls, or related products, • Ability to understand and discuss technical product features, datasheets, and basic specifications, • Experience directly supporting outside or field sales teams Competencies • Adaptability – Ability to be flexible and adjust to changes in your work environment. You can respond quickly to changing ideas, responsibilities, expectations, trends, strategies and other processes. Being adaptable also means possessing soft skills like interpersonal, communication, creative thinking and problem-solving skills., • Accuracy - Ability to detect errors in normal course of work by standard check or routine crosscheck. Errors resulting from inaccuracy would create minor confusion, delay or expense to correct the situation., • Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Keeps commitments., • Initiative - Takes independent actions and calculated risks; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed., • Customer Service - Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance., • Problem Solving - Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention., • Planning/Organization - Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Develops realistic action plans., • Communication and Interpersonal Skills - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Demonstrates group presentation skills., • Collaboration – Ability to work with others to achieve a common goal; Building and maintaining relationships through shared responsibility, respect, and empathy. Additional Requirements • May need to be available outside normal working hours should issues arise., • Must pass a security background check and drug screening., • Travel: Very Limited Other Information IDEC provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, IDEC complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absences, compensation, and training.