Customer Service and Inside Sales Associate

Successful candidates will be responsible for handling in-bound customer calls from current and potential business customers interested in purchasing various imprinted promotional products, corporate apparel, signage, and household products that we manufacture and warehouse in Des Moines. Representatives respond to inbound customer telephone calls, e-mails and chats regarding questions about our products, pricing, inventory availability while using a computerized database and other productivity tools to provide timely information and formal quotes to meet our customers needs. Our customers are friendly and appreciate great customer care and the assistance provided by our entire corporate team. Enjoy a fast-paced office environment with a great deal of daily work variety and heightened job satisfaction. The ideal candidate is a happy "people person" with good communications skills that enjoys handling customer questions, quote requests, and order status follow up with speed and professionalism. We have loyal and knowledgeable corporate, government, and non-profit customers throughout the USA and Canada that have been ordering from our company for the past 40 years. Competitive Edge strives to provide great customer care which we expect you'll provide.

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS

• Answer calls, process customer orders and information and sample requests, perform research, document as appropriate, and respond both verbally and in writing.
• Ask appropriate questions and serve as a resource of information when attempting to retain existing business.
• Enter all information related to calls for tracking and reporting purposes into company database.
• Research customer problems and service issues and resolve complaints.
• Develop strong personal relationships with both internal and external customers.
• Other duties as assigned.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Excellent communication and customer service skills with a minimum of 2-5 years relevant work experience.
• Prior experience in the promotional products industry and knowledge of artwork a plus.
• Successful telephone skills with confident telephone voice and personality.
• Ability to handle a high volume of customer contacts and calls with organizational skills to stay on top of commitments made.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Internet Explorer.
• Positive attitude and serious work ethic with a good sense of humor
• Ability to portray a high level of professionalism .
• Ability to communicate, manage, and maintain good working relationships with customers.
• Must be detail oriented and maintain organized work area.
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple tasks under deadlines.
• Great interpersonal skills and the desire to add to the success of the team.
• Demonstrated problem solving skills.
• Possess the desire to provide exemplary customer service.
• Strong mathematical ability and ability to type notes and emails
• Ability to establish priorities and work independently.
• Good analytical, problem solving and decision making skills.
• Ability to work well with others and be a team player.
• High school diploma required and college degree preferred.
• Above average problem solving skills to resolve customer service issues.
• Outgoing personality.
• A desire to learn and grow in this position
• Good personal appearance.
• Excellent work attendance record with 8 hour workday.
• Open to feedback and coaching.

BENEFITS

• Competitive pay.
• Company sponsored group medical and dental insurance.
• Company provided life insurance.
• 401(k) Plan with matching
• Paid vacation and sick leave.
• Clean, comfortable work environment.

Full-time M-F position - available to work Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM or 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM as needed.

Our company is focused on serving its customers at a very high level and only those individuals capable of doing so should apply.