LaFace and McGovern, Inc. was established in 1977 and is considered the leader in the lighting and controls market in both Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. L&M has been dedicated to serving the customer base within the lighting community for more than 49 years with offices in Canonsburg, PA; Altoona, PA; and Huntington, WV.
L&M is seeking a customer focused Inside Sales Specialist to join our Altoona team and support our sales and specification efforts. At L&M, our business is built on relationships, responsiveness, and taking care of our customers. We are looking for someone who understands the electrical industry and enjoys working directly with customers to help solve problems, answer questions, and keep projects moving.
This is primarily an office-based position, with most customer communication taking place by phone and email. You will work closely with our outside sales team and serve as an important day-to-day resource for our customers. From the initial request to building the quote, tracking the project, solving issues, and making sure the product is delivered, you will own the process and help ensure our customers receive the level of service they expect from L&M.
This is not a traditional sales role focused on cold calling or developing new business. Instead, it is a customer service and sales support position centered on building relationships, developing product knowledge, providing excellent follow-through, and supporting our outside sales team. You should also be comfortable occasionally meeting with customers face-to-face when additional support is needed and, over time, gain the confidence to interact directly with customers as needed.
We are looking for someone who wants to learn our business, develop strong lighting and controls product knowledge, and grow with L&M. For the right person, this role can provide the experience and industry knowledge needed to potentially advance into an outside sales position in the future.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Be a trusted, responsive point of contact for our customers and provide exceptional service by phone and email.
- Work side-by-side with our outside sales representatives to support customers, projects, and day-to-day sales needs.
- Own customer requests and orders from start to finish—from the initial conversation through quotation, order entry, tracking, problem resolution, and final delivery.
- Build accurate orders and make sure product, pricing, quantities, and project information are correct before orders are submitted.
- Understand project budgets and provide competitive, accurate quotations with timely turnaround.
- Prepare estimates and quotations quickly and accurately to support customer and project timelines.
- Review and submit purchase orders while actively tracking orders and communicating updates throughout the process.
- Stay ahead of potential delays or issues and work with customers, manufacturers, and our sales team to find solutions and keep projects moving.
- Develop strong knowledge of lighting and controls products so you can confidently answer questions and help customers identify the right solutions.
- Compare and cross products across competitive manufacturers and product lines.
- Build strong working relationships with our distributors, contractors, specifiers, engineers, architects, manufacturers, and customers.
- Communicate clearly and consistently, so customers always know where their project or order stands.
- Occasionally join outside sales representatives for customer meetings or project discussions when needed.
- Continue learning the lighting and electrical industry with the opportunity to grow and advance within L&M.
Required Qualifications:
- 1+ years of experience in the lighting/electrical industry
- Exceptional, detail-oriented customer service skills and likeability
- Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced, technology/engineering-oriented environment
- Time management skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Excellent written and spoken communication skills
Preferred Qualifications:
- 5+ years of experience in the lighting/electrical industry
- Extensive computer skills
Salary and Benefits:
Salary is commensurate with experience. Robust compensation package includes health and dental insurance, short-term disability, life insurance, 401(k) and profit sharing, paid vacation and holidays.
Pay: $45,000.00 - $55,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid training
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
