Inside Sales Representative

This job was posted by https://illinoisjoblink.illinois.gov : For more information, please see: https://illinoisjoblink.illinois.gov/jobs/13850528 Inside Sales Representative About the Opportunity: Join Norman Filter Company, a family-owned and operated manufacturer specializing in precision filtration products for highly regulated industries, including aerospace, defense, and medical. With a strong commitment to our people, customers, and product quality, we continually invest in our people and processes to support long-term growth. We\'re looking for an Inside Sales Representative to manage customer accounts, develop sales opportunities, prepare technical quotations, and oversee orders from initial inquiry through fulfillment. This role combines relationship-building and sales growth with analytical problem-solving, technical knowledge, and customer support. The ideal candidate brings experience in inside sales, account management, customer service, or sales support, along with strong attention to detail, critical-thinking skills, and a proactive approach to customer relationships. We\'re looking for someone who is outgoing, resourceful, coachable, and eager to learn while contributing to the continued growth of the company. What You\'ll Do As an Inside Sales Representative, you\'ll manage customer relationships, sales inquiries, quotations, and order processing while proactively identifying opportunities to grow existing accounts and develop new business. You\'ll serve as a key connection between customers and internal departments, working closely with Operations, Purchasing, Quality, Engineering, Shipping, and Accounting to ensure customer needs are met accurately and efficiently. This position combines approximately 60% sales and account management with 40% quoting, order management, and customer support. The role primarily focuses on established accounts, incoming inquiries, sales follow-ups, and reconnecting with existing customers rather than traditional cold calling. Key responsibilities include: - Manage and develop assigned customer accounts, build strong relationships, and identify opportunities for continued sales growth. - Respond to incoming inquiries, prepare quotations, follow up on open opportunities, and convert quotes into sales orders. - Identify opportunities for cross-selling, upselling, new business, and re-engaging dormant customer accounts. - Proactively communicate with customers regarding upcoming needs, purchasing forecasts, new programs, and potential opportunities. - Analyze technical specifications, historical pricing, manufacturing costs, lead times, and customer requirements to develop accurate, competitive quotations. - Review purchase orders, contractual terms, quality clauses, and documentation requirements to ensure accuracy and compliance. - Enter, process, and maintain accurate quotations, customer information, and sales orders within Epicor ERP and other business systems. - Take ownership of customer inquiries and orders from initial request through fulfillment, ensuring timely communication and follow-through. - Collaborate with internal departments to resolve customer concerns, invoicing discrepancies, technical questions, and order-related issues. - Identify potential pricing, quality, contractual, or operational concerns, research solutions, and escalate issues when appropriate. - Maintain accurate records and identify opportunities to improve quoting, customer service, order management, and departmental processes. What We\'re Looking For: The ideal candidate combines strong analytical and problem-solving skills with sales experience, customer relationship management, and exceptional attention to detail. Just as importantly, we\'re looking for someone who b ings curiosity, initiative, accountability, and a willingness to learn. You may come from an inside sales, account management, customer service, sales support, or similar background. While manufacturing or technical product experience is preferred, we\'re open to candidates from other industries who demonstrate strong critical-thinking skills, adaptability, and an interest in learning complex products and processes. The right person will be outgoing, resourceful, and proactive, with the ability to evaluate information, ask thoughtful questions, and take ownership of customer needs from start to finish. You\'ll need to be comfortable working in a collaborative, fast-paced environment where accuracy, communication, and the ability to navigate complex customer requirements are essential. Qualifications 2+ years of experience in inside sales, account management, customer service, sales support, or a related customer-facing role. Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills, with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to make sound business decisions. Experience managing cu