Sales Support Specialist I

Imperial Dade Canada, leading national distributor, has a job opening in Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg and Mississauga. A Sales Support Specialist I (SSS I) is responsible for providing support to the Sales and Customer Experience teams and Customers during the sales process. A Sales Support Specialist I interacts and coordinates with external suppliers, customers, and internal stakeholders across all channels and platforms. SSS I’s are responsible for managing product codes, processing defective goods claims, maintaining customer specific inventory reports, supporting special customer programs, and processing and sourcing core items to assist the company in saving costs, maximizing profitability, and providing the customer with the best goods and materials available. An SSS I will maintain a high level of product and segment base knowledge and will utilize expertise by providing alternative product solutions or recommendations in competitive situations.
- Imperial Dade is the leading distributor of foodservice packaging, facilities maintenance supplies and equipment in the U.S and Canada. As a provider of customized supply chain solutions, the company serves customers in many business-to-business market segments including supermarkets, healthcare facilities, universities, and restaurants. Founded in 1935 and headquartered in New Jersey, Imperial Dade serves more than 80,000 customers through a footprint of 80+ branches.

**Responsibilities**:

- Identify, price, and negotiate cost reductions on existing items.
- Provide alternative product solutions or recommendations.
- Build and maintain supplier relationships.
- Understanding of inventory replenishment systems, sourcing processes and procedures.
- Calculation of turn & earn and facilitation of approval process.
- Evaluate new supplier sources and capabilities with assistance from peers.
- Maintain database of custom specifications by supplier.
- Maintain high level of product and segment base knowledge.
- Achieve performance goals as set out by management.
- Develop personal capabilities using existing training opportunities.
- Collaborate with peers to ensure alignment on sourcing activities, suppliers recommended, cost and data sharing and other industry specific information.
- Assist sales with new item creation; enter and update Product Activity Forms.
- Coordinate/process supplier sample requests.
- Act as an intermediary between sales and internal stakeholders (i.e. Customer Experience, Operations, Credit, and Inventory Management).
- Coordinate pricing updates and renewals of contracts, deviations, and price campaigns.
- Facilitate Customer Dedicated Inventory Agreements, maintain Status-W items, process & receive Status-K items, and facilitate other item set up (new and existing).
- Maintain cost components and liase with internal departments for non-stocked items.
- Process Orders, Directs, and In-Directs on as needed basis.
- Support special customer programs such as consignment and bill & hold.
- Administer and maintain custom customer inventory reports including forecast adjustments.
- Generate reports to support the sales effort & assist with new customer setup.
- Tracking of customer programs such as consignment, rebate and special promotions.
- Monitor customer accounts and update customer profiles as required.
- Collaborate with customers and internal stakeholders on resolving variances and invoice discrepancies.
- Work with sales and suppliers to resolve product concerns such as defective goods.
- Coordinate customer information requests to necessary stakeholders and obtain approvals to proceed, including vendor/supplier agreement.
- Demonstrates a willingness to learn and adheres to Imperial Dade core values.
- Performs other related duties and responsibilities as required or assigned.

**Qualifications**:

- Presents a professional & mature image.
- Excellent customer experience skills (friendly, courteous, proactive and helpful).
- Excellent communication skills (active listening, verbal and written).
- High level of detail & quality of work output - low error rate.
- Works well under pressure, proven ability to excel in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong customer focused mindset.
- Proven ability to recognize and resolve issues independently.
- Ability to consistently achieve performance goals as set out by management.
- Strong time management and organizational skills - speed, flexibility and agility.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Demonstrates a collaborative approach when working with others.
- Demonstrates a willingness to learn and ability to problem solve and see an issue through until the end.
- Possesses the ability to influence others and develop negotiation skills.
- Consistently exhibits high level of motivation, sense of urgency, and exceptional follow-up; Action oriented, displays resilience, and delivers results.
- Strong team player (peers, other departments and teams, management)