JOB PURPOSE

The Sales Support Specialist is responsible for the coordination of order management, supply management, and technical sales support for their assigned product group, from customer inquiry through product availability notification to the Logistics Group.

POSITION EXPECTATIONS

• Support the sales organization by providing the required sales support & product expertise to gain market share & financial performance consistent with Company goals & market potential in North America.
• Develop & maintain a committed distribution network by providing the necessary sales support to dealers.
• Maintain a helpful and favorable image of the Company.
• Treat people fairly throughout the organization and our customers
• Maintain confidentiality of Company information.
• Support the continuously improve systems & process (especially sales planning tools to improve efficiency).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

• Serve as the “Champion” for the assigned product group to support the key sales support activities, including forecasting, order management, supply management, order planning, machine contingency management, warehouse destination changes, machine availability reporting, and product allocation for domestic and export sales.
• Maintain a prominent level of product knowledge for the product lines in the assigned product group and serve as the main sales support customer representative contact, including product information, machine application inquiries and technical sales support.
• Serve as the resource for technical knowledge for both agricultural and industrial applications and maintain basic truck mount knowledge to the product group of responsibility as it applies.
• Actively participate in monthly Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) meeting for manufactured and distributed products by sharing insights of market information from research and feedback from the field including dealers, Territory Managers (TMs), Regional Sales Managers (RSMs), and others in the ag industry.
• Collaborate with manufacturing functions (PIC, Purchasing, Production, Quality Assurance & Management) and attend weekly value stream meetings to communicate current order and order management information through AS400 data entry and coordinate special request orders through the scheduled weekly meeting.
• Lead the communication of new product models to manufacturing in the assigned product group, including distribution of old field inventory, scheduling, and allocation of new machine for field inventory.
• Collaborate with sales personnel and dealers to coordinate transfer from field inventory or other fulfillment options prior to placing factory orders for assigned product group, including the Holding Warehouse or Consignment Bargain List.
• Manage product contingent supply by oversight of product orders for the Kuhn factory of responsibility (manufactured and/or distributed), including order management, supply management, product availability, warehouse destination determination, and delivery timing status confirmation of products of responsibility.
• Communicate equipment delivery and contingent supply information to required parties, including internal & external sales and/or logistics personnel as required, regarding availability, quantity and timing of machines, to ensure timely distribution to regional warehouses and the dealer network.
• Collaborate with Regional Distribution Centers Managers to communicate reallocation of equipment to different warehouse destinations, changes in the equipment supply needs, and freight requirements on a continuous basis, based on retail activity dealer inventory and incoming new dealer orders.
• Oversee the allocation of scarce models to RSMs and distribution of equipment allocation to TMs and dealers when necessary.

• Coordinate the processing of shortage and damage claims of inbound Kuhn factory deliveries and delays in transit within product group of responsibility and report issues to the Sales Support and Logistics Teams.
• Provide regular feedback regarding product of responsibility to Product Management and Product Support departments regarding significant product issues, including new product feature requests, market or application changes and failure reports.
• Understand the dairy, beef, and crops market situation to stay current on related market conditions based on daily conversation with the field. Use this information to help facilitate discussions at S&OP meetings.
• Uphold and communicate KNA sales support policies and procedures to internal and external customers for forecasting, order management, scheduling, availability, allocation, distribution and communication as part of the General Sales Conditions. Provide regular feedback and input to sales management regarding sales trends and issues including price book, pricing structure & policy updates.
• Overall, serve as the “Champion” for the product of your responsibility and take ownership for all aspects of the position. Work closely with other “Champions” and the Sales Support Coordinator, to collaborate responsibility and cover phones for the best possible service to our dealers.
• Take on any other assigned task from the Sales Support Manager to help support the overall needs of the department and our dealer customers who support their farmer end customers.
• Participate in the Company’s team process to develop and improve sales support processes and procedures. Continually strive to find better ways to complete tasks and be the best in the industry.
• Maintain work area in a clean and orderly fashion and conform to all quality and safety procedures.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. The Company may make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education/Experience

• A bachelor’s degree in agribusiness, business administration or marketing and/or a minimum of three years sales or sales support experience in preferred.
• Knowledge of farming/agriculture, experience selling heavy industrial or agricultural equipment, and computer system utilization in sales management is preferred.
• Intimate knowledge of trucks, transmissions, hydraulics, and electronics to support the truck and industrial business is a plus.
• Proficient keyboarding skills and knowledge of basic Microsoft Excel and Word, PowerPoint, Internet, and e-mail functions is required for the position, also experience in AS400 applications is a plus.

Skills & Abilities

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, technical manuals/procedures, and sales and engineering documentation.
• Ability to effectively communicate business information through formal reports & business correspondence.
• Ability to effectively present information, respond to questions, solve problems, negotiate, and resolve conflict with customers, dealers, and groups of employees at all levels in the organization.

• Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as statistics and probability. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, ratios, percentages, and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establishes facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to interpret a variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with abstract and concrete variables.
• Ability to assume responsibility for the results of decisions made.
• Ability to work independently and prioritize tasks to meet required deadlines.
• Physical Demands - The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to one hundred pounds.

Travel

• The position may require an occasional amount travel through North America, both during the workweek and periodically on weekends. The travel will depend on products of responsibility.

These statements reflect the general details necessary to describe the principle functions of the occupation described and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the occupation.