Architectural and Design Distribution Specification Representative - Iowa/Nebraska/South Dakota

Würth Baer Supply Company is one of the nation's leading specialty wholesale distributors to the woodworking industry, offering an extensive inventory of decorative and functional hardware, board & panel products, woodworking machinery, surfacing materials, tools and shop supplies. The company generates over $400M in annual revenue and operates 29 distribution locations across the Upper Midwest, Midwest, Ohio Valley, East, and Northeastern United States. Wurth Baer Supply Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Wurth Group, a €20B+ privately held company headquartered in Künzelsau, Germany, with 450+ companies in over 80 countries.

Holdahl Company – a Division of Würth Baer Supply Company is looking for an Architectural and Design Distribution Specification Representative (“Spec Rep”) to cover a multi-state territory consisting of Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota.

The Architectural and Design Distribution Specification Representative will create demand for and work collaboratively to secure Product Specifications within a defined distribution market area. 

In this role you will increase Product Specifications by updating and maintaining product libraries and building strong relationships with the Architectural and Design Communities. 

You will track your work jointly with our partners from suppliers such as Formica, Tafisa, Chemetal, Studio 917, and REHAU RAUVISIO, and Würth Baer Supply Company to realize your hard-earned specifications into closed sales that will increase market share within said defined distribution geography.

Schedule: 

• Monday through Friday approximately 8:00am to 5:00pm

Job Type: 

• Remote “on the road” with branch visits for supplies/meetings as needed

Permanency: 

• FULL-TIME – DIRECT HIRE – NO AGENCIES – NO THIRD PARTIES – NO CONTRACTS

Ideal Area of Residence for this Specification Representative: 

• We are looking for someone who lives near one of these two branches
  • Omaha Branch:  5620 S 85th Cir, Omaha, NE 68127
  • Des Moines Branch: 5650 Metro E Dr, Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
• Either the Greater Des Moines, IA area or the Greater Omaha, NE area.

Base Salary:  You will have the option to state your desired gross pretax compensation in the applicant questionnaire when you apply to this position. 

Annual MBO Bonus Opportunity (Management by Objectives):
Up to 10% of base salary, based on achievement of assigned Gross Profit (GP) performance plan.
_______________________________________________________________________

Automotive Allowance

• $600/month (tax free) + $0.18/mile fuel reimbursement using a mobile device application called "MOTUS."

Customer Type: 

• Architectural and Design firms, Design-Build manufacturers, millwork fabricators, kitchen & bath showrooms, commercial casegoods, retail display and fixture manufacturers, countertop manufacturers and other wood product manufacturers. 

Qualified Candidates Should Possess: 

• College degree in design/sales/business and/or prior experience in a related industry
• Ability to display a professional demeanor while representing our suppliers and Würth Baer Supply Company to customer base
• A “can do” attitude and be driven for success
• Excellent problem solving and organizational skills, and be a self-starter
• A collaborative nature that thrives on being a team player
• Prior success in meeting performance goals within a structured environment
• Safe and reliable transportation, as this position involves visiting various businesses daily. 
• Excellent computer skills and be proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, Email and (preferably) acquainted with a CRM

Responsibilities:

Demand Creation (Project Targeting & Tracking):

• Utilize existing, or explore other potential lead sources for project targeting
• Focus presentations of products towards decision makers on targeted projects
• Secure and quantify vendor Product Specifications
• Implement and/or maintain a project tracking system at Würth Baer Supply Company
• Track and communicate project progress with vendors & Würth Baer Supply Company personnel.
• Hand off projects in sub-bidding status or when fabricator is known to Outside Sales Rep for closure.  
• Leverage distribution management to require accountability, and results on projects communicated
• Work internally to get required closed sale information

Territorial Management: 

• Develop and maintain a defined current database of accounts, contacts, and library inventories
• Conduct regular formal and informal presentations of product lines to clients; minimum of 20 presentations per week
• Manage the sample supply at local company distribution centers, place orders, help unload and organize samples
• Assist with building and recycling wallboards, portfolios, and solid surface cases for architect and design libraries and related stores
• Deliver or mail larger samples upon request
• Assist in planning and executing all market blitzes in territory

Other Activities & Networking:

• Attend joint sales calls with Würth Baer Supply Company sales reps on key fabricators in market to uncover opportunities
• Actively participate in industry associations (ASID, IIDA or NEWH)
• Participate in local industry trade shows & major networking events

Monthly Metrics:  

Face-to-Face Client Engagement

• Conduct a minimum of 75 in-person, face-to-face client visits per quarter
• Visits should focus on:
• Relationship development
• Product specification opportunities
• Pipeline growth and project influence
• Visits must be legitimate business interactions (not drop-ins without engagement)

Continuing Education (CEU) Delivery

• Host and complete a minimum of 1 Formica CEU course per quarter
• CEUs should be delivered to appropriate client audiences (e.g., architects, designers, specifiers)
• Representative is responsible for:
• Scheduling
• Client coordination
• Execution and follow-up

Lunch & Learn Events

• Conduct a minimum of 3 Lunch & Learn presentations per quarter
• Lunch & Learns should:
• Be client-facing and educational in nature
• Support specification positioning and product awareness
• Planning, coordination, and execution are the responsibility of the Specification Representative

Benefits

• Bundled consumer-driven Medical (Blue Cross Blue Shield), Dental (Aetna), and Vision (VSP) pricing.  New hires receive full access to benefits the 1st of the month following date of hire. 
• 401(k) with matching program starts immediately.  Company will match half of the first 5% of annual compensation.
• 8 paid company holidays
• 2 weeks’ vacation (0 to 5 years), 3 weeks’ vacation (5 to 10 years), 4 weeks’ vacation (10 to 15 years), 5 weeks’ vacation (15+ years)
• Sick time that is not excessive or categorized under special medical leave will not come out of your vacation time – honor system for salaried employees
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Referral program
• Employee discount

Excellent Culture: 

• This is a company where you can be yourself with a fun and upbeat culture.

Long-Tenured Employees: 

• Many of our employees have been here for 15 to 30+ years.

Room for Growth: 

• Würth Baer Supply Company is part of the Würth Group of Germany, a privately held company netting over $20 billion annually with a long legacy of promoting from within.

Comfortable Interview Process: 

• Conversational and transparent.

Equal Opportunity Employer

• Würth Baer Supply Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer.