The Sales Development Associate is an early-career sales development role designed to prepare future Account Managers for Steel and Pipe Supply. Through a structured rotational program, participants will develop expertise in steel products, customer relationship management, market dynamics, sourcing, and operations. Associates will progressively assume sales responsibilities while building the skills required to drive revenue growth, expand customer relationships, and support SPS's strategic goals.

Please note: This position should be open to travel & possible relocation opportunities if they present themselves. This position is designed to build leaders within our organization as we continue to grow our business in both existing and new markets across the country.

Program Objectives:

Develop technical knowledge of steel and pipe products, applications, and markets.
Learn the SPS sales process from prospecting through account management.
Build relationships with customers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders.
Gain exposure to purchasing, operations, transportation, and finance functions that support customer success.
Develop commercial decision-making, negotiation, and pricing skills.
Prepare for placement into a sales-focused role upon successful completion of the program.

Primary Responsibilities:

Participate in structured sales training and mentoring programs.
Support business development initiatives by identifying and qualifying prospective customers.
Conduct market research and competitive analysis.
Assist Account Managers in managing customer opportunities and account growth plans.
Participate in customer visits, mill visits, trade events, and industry networking opportunities.
Develop proficiency in pricing, quoting, order management, and profitability analysis.
Utilize tools to document customer interactions and sales activities.
Analyze sales performance metrics and identify opportunities for growth.
Associates will be tasked with supporting the organization in executing sales strategies, learning company products/services and identifying potential leads while attending sales meetings and training sessions.

Physical & Work Requirements:

Ensure professional appearance appropriate for meetings with executive level employees and clients
Requires ability to perform primary job responsibilities while spending long periods of time at a computer
Associates are expected to spend increasing amounts of time engaging directly with customers through phone calls, meetings, site visits, and industry events as they progress through the program.
Some travel (6-8 times / year) to mill, customer, and SPS operational locations to include:

Kansas City, KS
St. Louis, MO
Tulsa, OK
Longview, Waco, Lubbock, Houston, & Victoria, TX

Required Background, Competencies & Expertise:

Growth Mindset – Treat challenges as opportunities and mistakes as data points rather than catastrophic events. High motivation to become more effective through coaching, feedback, and encouragement.
Build relationships – Strive to build trust, share ideas, create partnerships and accomplish work with others.
Lead change – Embrace change and help set team goals that align with the stated vision.
Critical thinking – Actively engage with information and situations in order to make smart decisions.
Creative problem solving – Find solutions to difficult or complex issues where the answer is not always clear.
Communicate clearly – Share information and feedback clearly, frequently, and concisely.
Numeric reasoning – Use numbers as a basis in reasoning and problem solving.
Customer Orientation – Dedicated to meeting and exceeding the needs and expectations of internal and external customers.
Promote Teamwork between all departments and teams
Ability to learn new software and program applications
Data management and Excel abilities to help summarize information and data to help make decisions
Develop an in-depth knowledge of our products and market
Provide assistance as needed with various departments or projects
Abide by SPS Communication and Conflict Norms:
- Assume Positive Intent
- Less FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)
- Ruthlessly Constructive
- Consensus is NOT necessary, but Commitment IS
- Go Lateral before Vertical