Counter Sales Associate

Company Overview

Watkins, a NEBCO Company, provides high-quality concrete and masonry building materials to residential and commercial markets across Nebraska and the surrounding region. With decades of experience serving the construction industry, Watkins is fundamental to building Nebraska, with operations in Omaha, Lincoln, Grand Island, and Kearney.

Watkins‑Lincoln is looking for a Counter Sales Associate to join our team. The person in this position provides excellent customer service by assisting customers promptly and courteously with their questions, purchases, and efficient processing of orders. This position may be required to work Saturday hours. The employee must abide by Company Safety Program and Policies while performing duties safely.

• Establish and maintain good relations with customers by providing courteous, efficient, and professional service.
• Develop a working knowledge of products manufactured and/or distributed by Watkins.
• Answer telephones professionally and pleasantly, assist customers, take orders, and provide excellent customer service.
• Ensure accuracy, efficiency, and attention are given to the customer in a professional and responsive manner.
• Enter and retrieve data on computer system, including customer orders, sister company transfers, quotation information, inventory and pricing.
• Handle customer service inquiries, provide product information, pricing, and complaints resolution in a professional and responsive manner. Maintain accountability of customer inquiries until answered, solved, and closed.
• Continuously update product knowledge through available resources and stay informed about inventory and applicability.
• Assist sales staff with sales quotes, mailings, or account research as needed. Provide product/job quotes as appropriate.
• Handle customer complaints and concerns and ensure the problem is corrected to the customer’s satisfaction.
• Know and follow credit card and check authorization policies and procedures; identify warning signs of bad checks, poor credit, and business risks.
• Conduct oneself in a professional and ethical manner at all times; treat external and internal customers and associates with courtesy and respect.
• Assist customers in identifying the specific product they need, suggest alternatives, and up‑sell related products when appropriate.
• Stock displays and shelves with proper products, assure items are priced and literature is up to date; keep showroom stocked, clean and neat.
• Ensure SDS forms are maintained and up to date for accurate information and immediate review.
• Keep mailings, price lists and sales history updated on computer as needed.
• Maintain neat, clean and professional personal appearance.
• Generate delivery and pick‑up orders for cash sale customers and charge accounts.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• High School education or equivalent GED, one‑year college or technical school certificate preferred.
• Six months related experience in construction merchandising, customer service, or sales; or
• Equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

• Valid Driver’s License.

Attendance is required Monday through Friday, 7:00 am‑5:00 pm, with one hour for lunch. Employees may be required to work according to business needs and support activities during non‑busy times.

• Previous demonstrated customer service experience.
• Knowledge of the construction product line handled, including application, operational and safety features, benefits, accessories, and comparison with similar products.
• Ability to perform basic arithmetic using whole numbers, fractions and decimals; compute rate, ratio, percent and square footage.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Programs (Excel, Word, Outlook).
• Capability of learning and using related computer programs, such as Lawson or SAP.
• 10‑key calculator skills and ability to accurately key information to the computer.
• Flexibility in work assignments.

• Maintain a good attendance record.
• Strong customer‑service attitude and ability to deal directly with customers for…