New Graduate Sales Account Manager Trainee

The New Graduate Sales Trainee must successfully complete an accelerated training program focused on developing both professional selling skills and a working knowledge of our industry, our customers, and our products. The Trainee will develop the ability to sell all Airgas products to his/her customer base. Upon successful completion of the program, the Trainee will be placed in an Account Manager role.

50% - Learn the business and develop sales skills

Maintains focus on safety in the workplace by complying with company safety procedures and practices

Attend and successfully complete online and classroom training assignments

Develops working knowledge of our industry, products and customers

Learns sales skills by completing a sales training program

Develop and maintain positive work habits that are conducive to sales and profitability growth Observe sales process by traveling with existing account managers to attend sales and service calls

Practices sales process by calling on existing and then new accounts; adhering to established sales steps

Develops basic knowledge and understanding of financial accounting terms and principles including Gross Margin, Gross Margin %, Operating Income, and EBITDA

50% - Demonstrate practical application of knowledge and skills

Travels throughout assigned territory to call on regular and prospective customers

Develop and execute plans to maintain and grow the existing customer base

Actively reviews and manages existing customer Accounts Receivable balances to help minimize Airgas working capital investment and financial risk

Establish and maintain clear and consistent lines of communication with internal departments relative to customer successes, customer failures, new customer developments, and other customer-specific information

Develop and execute plans to improve Airgas' market share within the assigned sales territory

Prepare and deliver effective sales presentations and proposals to prospective customers

Works closely with local Branch Managers to assist in promoting sales and customer management through retail store locations within assigned geographical area

Qualifies and pursues sales leads from other parts of the Airgas organization

Keeps local, regional, and national Airgas management informed of territory performance, personal performance, and market trends through

Development and submission of an annual sales plan for the assigned territory

Regular and on-time submission of required sales and activity reports, including itineraries, call reports, “Hot” prospect lists, account wins and losses, and other information as required

Assists customers in their compliance and training with industry safety standards relating to the products and services that Airgas delivers

Special projects and other duties as assigned

Are you a MATCH?

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each job duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential duties.

Required Education:

Bachelor’s Degree in Business or a related field is required.

Required Length & Type of Experience:

Prior outside sales/service experience is a plus

Knowledge of industrial and specialty gases, and industrial gas/welding supply sales a plus.

Working knowledge of SAP is a plus.

Must have excellent organizational, written, and oral communication, listening, and presentation skills. Computer literacy (i.e. Windows, Word, Excel, Google Docs, Google Sheets, email) and ability to acclimate to PC-based order entry systems and wireless, hand-held scanning devices.

Self-starter; self-motivated, operates with a sense of urgency; and ability to work independently.

Strong organizational, analytical, and planning skills.

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.

Reliable transportation, current driver’s license, minimum liability insurance as required by state of vehicle registration.

Frequent local travel (75% of work time).

Minimal overnight travel.

Must have reliable, appropriate transportation.

The job requires visitation of customer sites, which have varying environments/conditions, layouts, and accessibility.