Sales Order Operations Manager

Be part of a growing, successful company in an exciting and challenging field.
Border States is 100% employee-owned, which means you’re empowered to make decisions, find solutions and receive rewards for your hard work.
This position will be located in: Fargo , ND or Maple Grove, MN or Chicago, IL or Pewaukee, WI or Nashville, TN or Charlotte, NC or Phoenix, AZ or Salt Lake City, UT or Baltimore/DC Area.
Job Summary Leads the overall design strategy and optimization of the sales order systems and processes.
Responsible for developing and implementing strategies to enhance the order writer experience, effective measurement of our delivery to our customers, increase order writer productivity, and ensure efficient and effective branch operations.
Responsibilities Essential Functions Leads the sales order product and associated operational expectations and standards within the product.
Defines organizational date management strategies aligned to all core markets (i.
e.
, construction, industrial, utility) to ensure clarity and consistency in measuring delivery performance to customers.
Collaborates with IT to implement order automation, AI tools, and integrate systems for seamless order processing.
Works closely with the Sales Enablement & Operations team on aligning customer expectations within the sales order operational process, collaborating on process and tools to improve sales order productivity.
Partners with IT, Sales Enablement & Operations, and other functional leaders (e.
g.
, Procurement, Customer Success, Accounting) on vendor integration requirements and overall roadmap.
Enhances the order writers experience by identifying areas for improvement and implementing solutions to optimize efficiency and usability.
Defines organizational order management expectations, including order entry, fulfillment, and invoicing, to meet customer expectations and operational performance requirements.
Develops and maintains best practices and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for sales order operations to ensure consistency and compliance with industry standards and regulations.
Works in collaboration with the Supply Chain Performance manager to monitor sales order operational performance and continuous improvement opportunities.
Non-essential Functions Attends supply chain industry and training events to understand current supply chain and Automation/AI trends and strategies in and outside of the distribution industry.
Collaborates with other supply chain leaders in industry including other distributors, vendors and customers.
Other duties assigned by supervisor or designate.
Qualifications Four-year degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or related field preferred; or equivalent years of experience, required.
5+ years of experience in supply chain, operations, sales, and/or finance required.
Experience leading teams responsible for daily sales order operations and order entry preferred.
2+ years of experience in electrical distribution or an adjacent distribution industry preferred.
Proficiency in data analytics and BI tools such as Power BI, Tableau preferred.
Proven track record of success in implementing lean principles and driving operational excellence within a complex supply chain environment.
Excellent communication and leadership abilities, with the capacity to influence and collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams.
Demonstrated experience in developing and executing training strategies to enhance employee performance and organizational capabilities.
Ability to read, write and speak in English required.
Skills and Abilities Strategic ability to develop a clear vision with consideration to multiple inputs across the organization.
Strong knowledge of supply chain, sales, operations, and financial systems.
Analytical mindset with the ability to leverage data to drive decision-making and process improvement.
Demonstrated ability to effectively lead change.
Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication, reading, and customer service skills are preferred with the ability to effectively plan and organize.
Ability to collaborate and problem solve with other key stakeholders.
Physical Requirements Frequency at which you would carry/lift in a typical day: Occasionally 0 – 33% Frequently 34 – 66% Continuously: 67 – 100% Lift from Waist: < than 10 lbs.
- Not at all 10 to 25 lbs.
- Not at all 26 to 50 lbs.
- Not at all 51 to 75 lbs.
- Not at all 75 to 100 lbs.
- Not at all 100+ lbs.
- Not at all Lift from Floor: < than 10 lbs.
- Occasionally 10 to 25 lbs.
- Occasionally 26 to 50 lbs.
- Not at all 51 to 75 lbs.
- Not at all 75 to 100 lbs.
- Not at all 100+ lbs.
- Not at all Carried for Distance: < than 10 lbs.
- Not at all 10 to 25 lbs.
- Not at all 26 to 50 lbs.
- Not at all 51 to 75 lbs.
- Not at all 75 to 100 lbs.
- Not at all 100+ lbs.
- Not at all Physical Activity Frequency at which you would do the following in a typical day: Sitting (a continuous period of being seated) - Frequently Standing (for sustained periods of time) - Occasionally Walking (moving about on foot to accomplish tasks) - Occasionally Bending/stooping (downward and forward) - Occasionally Crawling (moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet) - Not at all Climbing/Walking Stairs (ascending or descending) - Occasionally Reaching (extending arms in any direction) - Frequently Crouching/squatting (bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine) - Occasionally Kneeling (bending legs at knee to come to rest on knee(s)) - Occasionally Balancing (maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling) - Occasionally Repetitive motion (substantial movement (motions) or the wrists, hands, and/or fingers) - Continuously Pivoting (movement in any direction with one foot, keeping the other in contact with the floor) - Occasionally Pushing/Pulling (using upper extremities to press against or draw or tug) - Occasionally Grasping (Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm) - Continuously Fingering (picking, pinching, typing; working with primarily fingers and not whole hand) - Continuously Talking (expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word) - Frequently Driving (the control and operation of a forklift) - Not at all Desk work (work usually performed at a desk) - Continuously Use of a computer - Continuously Use of a telephone - Continuously Hearing (Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels) - Continuously Exposure (to adverse weather & temperature conditions) - Occasionally Travel (travel needed to perform job duties) - Occasionally Additional Information This job description is a summary of the job duties and responsibilities and is not intended to cover all possible job duties and is subject to change at the employer’s discretion.
Employees must be able to perform the essential job duties and satisfy job requirements either with or without a reasonable accommodation.
Our History Border States is a leader in the electrical supply distribution industry with over 120 locations in 31 states.
Our employee-owners are second to none in delivering top-notch customer service and in demonstrating extra-ordinary people skills.
We are one of the largest independent electrical distributors in the United States providing products and services to the construction, industrial and utility industries.
Border States has a competitive benefit package and is a 100 percent employee-owned company.
Employee-ownership is a significant part of our culture and our success stems from the dedication of our employee-owners.
We practice open-book management and our employee-owners are empowered with clearly defined levels of authority to be innovative and decisive, allowing us to respond quickly to the needs of customers.
Employee-owners understand their roles in the success of the company and care about customers’ needs, which drives our focus on adding value to everything we do.
We recognize that not all customers are the same and each has specific requirements.
Our employee-owners understand these diverse needs and have the commitment, resourcefulness and flexibility to outperform all others.
Values As a Border States employee-owner, you’re responsible for living our mission, service philosophy and service standards.
Our Purpose We believe unstoppable businesses shouldn't go it alone.
We are owners - of relationships, of outcomes, of every moment these unstoppable businesses need to deliver.
Service Philosophy We earn customer loyalty and confidence by caring about their needs and adding value to everything we do.
Service Standards Border States employee-owners are competent, accurate, responsive, and engaged .
Your career Join an experienced team at one of the largest electrical distributors in the United States.
What are you waiting for? Border States has a competitive benefits package which includes but is not limited to: Health, Dental and Vision Benefits Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity FSA & HSA Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Disability Benefits 401(k) Retirement Plan Life Insurance Employee Assistance Program Paid Holidays Paid Volunteer Time Personal Leave time and more! Border States provides bonuses to their employee-owners upon the achievement of branch and company goals.
Equal Opportunity For All It’s not just the law.
It’s something we’ve believed in since our founding.
We value the diversity of all of our employee-owners and will always be an equal opportunity employer.
Drug Free/Smoke Free workplace