Outside Sales Representative – Chicago Territory

Steel Technologies

Outside Sales Representative focusing on business growth and customer relationships for Steel Technologies. Collaborating with sales management and teams to develop effective sales strategies.

Posted 7/28/2026full-timeRemote • Kentucky • 🇺🇸 United StatesMid-LevelSeniorWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in sales strategy development, relationship building, and customer engagement within the steel and flat rolled metal products industry. Proficient in leveraging market intelligence and customer insights to drive profitability and growth.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Sales Strategy DevelopmentCustomer Relationship ManagementProspecting and Cold CallingKnowledge of Steel Production ProcessesTime Management

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Sales TechniquesMarket IntelligenceQuoting and Proposal DevelopmentCustomer Agreement ConstructionProfitability Analysis

Soft Skills

Interpersonal SkillsProfessional AccountabilityIndependent WorkProactive PlanningRelationship Building

Tools & Technologies

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Database

Industry Keywords

Steel TechnologiesFlat Rolled Metal ProductsProduction ProcessesQuality ControlCustomer Engagement

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Grow Business
Collaborate with GM of Sales to set goals for territory or division growth
Develop a sales plan and maintain an active customer and top prospect list.
Meet regularly with your GM of Sales to review opportunities and strategize how to move them forward
Understand Steel Technologies strengths and value proposition and effectively communicate that to prospective and existing customers
Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, using a cadence of in-person meetings and appropriate levels of entertainment as a tool
Maximize visits -- meet with decision makers, and also sell vertically by meeting with engineers, quality, etc.
Network at all customers and at all customer levels to ingrain Steel Tech into the customer’s day-to-day operations and needs
Prospect new business (in-person) and solicit quotes (in-person) for business that is in alignment with our value proposition
Respond to quotations in a timely manner using the Company standard quoting format
Convert quotations into earned business
Improve profitability and/or grow with existing customers and accounts
Know the customer’s business and move up the value chain within the customer
Provide market intelligence to customers and become a trusted partner
Leverage business and market understanding to drive profitability and growth
Construct good customer agreements that reduce risk for Steel Tech (work with Legal Department).
Hold customers accountable to the terms of those agreements, including responsibility for obsolete and slow-moving inventory
Develop your knowledge of the market and our industry
Become the subject matter expert for all business available within your territory or division and keep good records in the Customer Relationship Management database (CRM) to communicate information to management
Develop competitor intel and understand Steel Tech’s value proposition in comparison
Develop knowledge of end user markets through customer contacts and research
Engage in your education and development within the Company
Collaborate with your Support Team to ensure excellent customer service
Collaborate with Account Manager based on customer interactions to improve forecast accuracy
Address tier 3 escalations with customer, leaning into the deep relationship with the customer to resolve the issue (e.g. sales contract issue, aged inventory, Accounts Receivable collection, etc.)
Ensure pricing updates are clearly communicated to Support Team in a timely manner
Other duties as assigned

Requirements

What you’ll need

Prefer a Bachelor’s degree in a related field and one to five years of experience in sales.
Formal education may be substituted with experience and training when competency in the position is demonstrated.
Ability to work independently
Sales Professional with knowledge and understanding of sales, sales techniques, relationship building, and strong interpersonal skills
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of steel and other flat rolled metal products
Time management and proactive planning required
Consistent in-person client engagement with timely and strategic outreach
Ability to prospect and cold call
Professional accountability, both internal and external
Travel required 60-80%

Benefits

Comp & perks

Insurance: Affordable plans for medical, dental, vision, and wellbeing on the first day of the month following your start date
Employer-Paid dental with available Buy-up options
Free MDLive Telehealth Services through our Medical Plan
Competitive Wellness Program, providing up to 100% discount on medical premiums
Employer-Paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability with Buy-up options
Supplemental Accident Insurance through Allstate for additional coverage on accidents, cancer, and long-term care
Employer-Paid Life Insurance
Teammate Assistance Program (TAP) which offers professional assistance for Counseling, Financial, Legal and Family services
Work-Life Balance: Paid Time Off 9 Paid Holidays starting day one! Bonus Paid Floating Holiday in recognition of the diversity of our team
Financial: 401(k) after 60 days of employment + competitive match up to 4.5% after one year
Pretax Health Savings Account
Pretax Flexible Spending Account
Paid bi-weekly
Quarterly bonus based on company performance
Career Growth: Tuition reimbursement is available for job related courses to further your education, with up 100% paid tuition for maintenance-related coursework and certifications
Skill Development Programs
Learning Management System
Promotional Opportunities
Local Perks & Discounts: Dress for your day! Teammate referral bonus
Boot and Glasses Allowance after 60 days of employment
Teammates appreciation activities