Inside Sales Associate — Commercial Lighting

Inside Sales Associate

The Inside Sales Associate serves as the critical internal anchor and primary point of contact for our rep agencies. This is a dedicated inside role with no lead generation or cold calling. Instead, you will facilitate seamless project execution and sales support — expertly handling commercial project quotations, price file management, job crossovers, and lighting take-offs, as well as Bill of Materials (BOM) development and order tracking.

By delivering rapid technical support and building strong relationships, you will partner directly with Regional Sales Managers and the Director of Inside Commercial Sales to ensure a "best-in-class" experience for our clients from quote to delivery.

Commercial Project Quotations & Pricing

• Commercial Project Quotations: Review RFQs, drawings, and specifications to prepare and issue accurate, competitive commercial project quotations using agent-specific pricing models — helping partners close deals faster.
• Price File Management: Maintain, update, and audit product and agent-specific price files, discount schedules, and special pricing agreements to ensure pricing accuracy across every quote and order.
• Configure, price, and quote an itemized Bill of Materials (BOM), escalating pricing exceptions outside standard discount thresholds to the Director of Inside Commercial Sales.

Takeoffs & Product Crossovers

• Track Takeoffs: Review architectural and electrical drawings, reflected ceiling plans (RCPs), specifications, and redlined documents to perform accurate lighting fixture take-offs that support quote and order accuracy.
• Job Crossovers: Perform competitive product crossovers — translating competitor fixture types, spec sheets, and basis-of-design language into equivalent Solais solutions that meet project intent, budget, and specification requirements.
• Develop a deep understanding of the product portfolio to answer technical questions, proactively suggest alternative Solais solutions, and approach hurdles with a "how can we make this work" mindset.

Order Tracking & Inquiry Management

• Monitor order statuses closely (utilizing bi-monthly reports) to track planned vs. actual shipping dates; expedite critical orders and communicate potential delays early and efficiently.
• Analyze incoming requests to provide immediate answers or accurately route them to internal departments so we remain the first and last call our agents need to make.
• Log every quote inquiry over $5,000 into Net Suite as a tracked opportunity (product details, potential revenue, estimated close date, notes).

Account Support & Process Improvement

• Provide high-touch communication for high-producing agent accounts and escalated orders under the guidance of the Director of Inside Commercial Sales.
• Partner with leadership to constantly evaluate and improve internal processes related to price file governance, crossover documentation, quotation workflow, and agent/client relations.

• Bachelor's degree in business or equivalent professional qualification/experience.
• 2+ years of experience within the lighting industry (highly preferred due to the technical nature of take-offs, crossovers, and BOMs).
• Working knowledge of price file structures, discount/margin logic, and quote-to-order systems (Net Suite or similar ERP/CRM a plus).
• Demonstrated ability to read and interpret architectural/electrical drawings, RCPs, and written specifications.
• Strong, mature communication skills with a proven track record of tactful and professional interpersonal relationships.
• Exceptional organizational skills with a proven ability to meet strict project deadlines.

In this role, success means helping Solais continue to expand into the architectural and commercial lighting space by building exceptional relationships and quotation excellence.

After your first year, you will have:

• Mastered the Portfolio: Developed an intuitive knowledge of the Solais product portfolio, price files, and crossover logic to confidently guide partners and solve complex project challenges.
• Owned Your Territory: Gained a deep understanding of our commercial agents…