Solutions Design Specialist II

Vallen's Solution Design Specialist is an individual contributor responsible for assessing and analyzing new and existing customer sales opportunities, consulting with customer leadership and Vallen Business Development to determine solution needs, building and designing supply chain solutions to enhance customer relationships in pursuit of selling the organization's solutions, products, and services to achieve performance goals in areas of sales, gross margin and profitability with the Strategic, Corporate and Integrated customer businesses. They operate nationally and internationally with a strategic focus on increasing Vallen's market share within customers that meet the strategic focus of Vallen's three customer businesses, (Strategic, Corporate and Integrated). They design solutions by presenting broad-based consultative insight into key solutions, services, products, or combinations of each in accordance with Vallen's Solution Selling sales strategy.

• Lead or assist Solution Sales (Business Development and/or Strategic and Corporate Account Management) in conducting Client Current State Assessments, analyze and produce professional documentation on findings, and assist with presentation to Client of current state analysis
• Work with Solution Sales (Business Development and/or Strategic and Corporate Account Management), Operations, Sales Solutions Implementation, Finance, Training and Client to design/develop future state solutions
• Complete solution CFM to ensure adherence to company EBIT and Working Capital goals
• Develop Client future state proposal and financial impact documentation and assist with presentation to Client
• RFI/RFQ/RFP analysis - Determining fit for Vallen
• Client market basket submittal to Quoting and Sourcing and analysis/presentation of results to Client
• Analysis of client inventory usage data and reporting of velocity model findings to Client
• Assist with solution implementation kickoff activities, as needed
• Continuous improvement of entire process
• Other duties as assigned

Bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., Business, Supply Chain Mgt, Marketing, Finance, etc.) and 3+ years of experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Relevant experience should include:

• Ability to present to C-level customers using awareness, judgment, and quick decisions skills to identify and loop in relevant stakeholders, proficient in presenting to various levels within a customer or vendor's organization.
• Willingness to gain a deep understanding of customers' business and the fortitude to inspire customers to explore opportunities beyond what they are currently doing.
• Basic understanding of Client financial measures:
  • P&L
  • Balance sheet
  • Hard savings vs Soft savings
  • Cash cycle
  • Inventory turns
• Knowledge of Client Operational Objectives:
  • Lean manufacturing concepts (Six Sigma/Kaizen/5S, etc.)
  • Equipment productivity
  • Overall Equipment Efficiency (OEE)
  • Uptime/Downtime
  • Project Management
  • Ability to manage multiple projects in different stages of completion
  • Smartsheet
• Client interaction/public speaking
• Business travel planning and logistics
• Demonstrated knowledge of products and solution-based sales life cycles and best-in-class processes.
• Ability to analyze data from multiple tools to gain understanding and achieve goals.
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team in a fast-paced, changing environment.
• Strong planning, organizational, time management, problem solving and customer service skills.
• Quality mindset with strong attention to detail, accuracy, and thoroughness.
• Demonstration of accounting or general business financial awareness and knowledge.
• Strong analytical skill necessary to compile data from multiple tools.
• Proficiency with MS-Office products (PPT, Excel, Word) and the technical aptitude to learn all company specific programs and software applications.
• Excellent professional attitude and sales integrity.
• Must be willing and able to travel.