Front Counter Associate

Front Counter Associate 

Spokane Hardware Supply, Inc. serves the wholesale and retail hardware markets as well as Architectural Hardware Division 8 projects. Headquartered in Spokane, WA, we focus on providing our customers with the highest quality products, giving our vendors the respect and effort they deserve while providing our employees with opportunities to be challenged and grow. A 4th generation family-owned business, we are looking for an individual who wants to be empowered to grow their career.

FUNCTION: Assist customers in the showroom while exhibiting a positive, insightful, and friendly attitude with all customers, vendors, and peers at Spokane Hardware Supply, Inc. Helping to solve customers hardware selection needs using all available resources; website, showroom, sales training, co workers. Regularly engaging in on the job training, learning from customers, peers, and SHS Training.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A SUCCESSFUL Front Counter Associate: Strong communication skills, ability to meet demanding timelines, energetic, detail oriented, critical thinker, seeks input from others, ability to multitask, strong customer service skills, strong problem solving, organized, self-starter.

REPORTS TO:  Customer Service Manager

WORKS REGULARLY WITH: Front Counter Associates, Tier 1 Sales Data Entry, Tier 2 Sales Customer Service, Tier 3 Sales Associate, Tier 4 Sales Specialist, Customer Service Manager, AR Specialist, Billing Specialist, Warehouse Associates, Warehouse Manager, Warehouse Assistant Manager, Accounts Payable Specialist, Marketing Director, President, Operations, Sales Manager, Outside Sales

This is a full-time non-exempt position that works a standard work week of Monday-Friday 8am - 5pm PT.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES includes but are not limited to the following:

• Determine correct merchandise to fulfill the customer’s needs and the knowledge to suggest alternative/ additional items related to the customer’s order
• Process & properly maintain sales orders, purchase orders, credits for customers
• Keep informed of new product information and market trends in the hardware industry, attending PK meetings
• Assist and resolve customer complaints and concerns
• Follow up on outstanding orders and quotes with customers
• Clear factory invoices and properly assign freight charges to customer orders
• Clearly and effectively communicate with vendors & reps via telephone and email regarding backorder fulfillment, large orders and quotes, shipping logistics, customer returns, and other concerns
• Assist builder team with client selections, communicating and conveying final selection with builder reps
• read and understand blueprints to create hardware schedule
• Make site visits with select customers at approval/direction of Outside Sales Manager
• Coordinate with other Tier 3 & 4 & outside sales on customer needs
• Clearly and effectively communicate with customers via telephone and email regarding general inquiries, bid requests, order fulfillment, stock levels, technical specifications and shipping logistics
• Pull orders for Front Counter orders, assisting with carry out service

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

• High School diploma or General Education Degree and
  • A minimum of four years experience in sales, customer service, or project management

or

• Associates degree and
  • A minimum of two years in the hardware, construction, sales, customer service, distribution, millwork or interior design

• Ability to clearly and effectively communicate and understand written and oral instructions
• Ability to lift objects weighing 40 pounds or more regularly
• Ability to work standing and walking throughout the workday.
• Ability to multitask and prioritize accordingly

COMPETENCIES:

•  PC and software proficiency for data entry and utilization of sales programs
• Product and application knowledge, including the ability to read and comprehend manufacturer specifications
• Perform basic mathematical functions in the course of sales and customer support

COMPENSATION:

• $20.50
• Opportunity for salary increase during annual performance reviews

WE BELIEVE IN WORK LIFE BALANCE:

• Vacation Time: Employees will be frontloaded a prorated amount of vacation time after just 90 days with the company. Once an employee reaches their first January 1st with the company, they will be frontloaded 5 days of vacation time to use throughout the year.
• Plus 9 Paid Holidays!
• Sick/ Personal Time: Employees will be frontloaded a prorated amount of sick/personal time after just 90 days with the company. Once an employee reaches their first January 1st with the company, they will be frontloaded 52 hours of sick/personal time to use throughout the year.
• Volunteer PTO: Employees will receive 16 hours a year of PTO to volunteer for a non-profit company.
• Flextime Options.

BENEFITS:

• Medical, Dental and Vision: Available the first of the month after 60 days of employment.
• Retirement: We offer an impressive 401(k) with a 25% corporate match available the first of the month after 60 days of employment.
• Life Insurance: Company paid coverage that starts the first of the month after 60 days of employment. 

PERKS:

• Free Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Discount
• Friends and Family Discount