Client Operations Software Advisor (Remote)

<strong>Grow Your Career at Connection&nbsp;</strong><br /><br /><strong>Join a team where you make the difference. Enjoy a culture grounded by working together. Join a team whose future is bright. Your career opportunities are limitless.</strong>

Chicago, IL

Connection

<strong>Founded in 1982, Connection delivers valuable IT services and advanced technology solutions to business, government, education, and healthcare markets. Today, we serve our customers through our staff of highly trained Account Managers, our team of on-staff experts, and our efficient procurement websites. We are also proud to offer custom-configured computer systems from a ISO 9001:2015 certified technical configuration lab at our distribution center in Wilmington, OH.</strong><br /><br /><strong>Our company has over&nbsp;<a href="https://www.connection.com/content/about/certifications-and-authorizations?cm_sp=content-_-about-us-_-certifications-and-authorizations">2,500 technical certifications</a>&nbsp;that ensure our experts can solve any customer need, no matter how complex. Additionally, our GlobalServe offering delivers global procurement solutions through our network of 500 suppliers in 174 countries.</strong> https://www.connection.com/

keywords: position summary,sales,collaboration,communication,software standards,software proposals,customer service,software education,orders,renewals,qualifications,technology,business knowledge,problem solving,skills

Full-time

Overview: <br />Working under minimal supervision of the Client Operations Special Services Supervisor, referring only exceptional problems and issues for management review or approval, the Client Operations Software Advisor utilizes advanced knowledge of the complexities of software products to advise and make decisions related to the logistical and operational needs of client quotes and orders for Account Managers.&nbsp;The Software Advisor works with the sales teams to manage and maintain client standards, special pricing, and any client issues until resolution as it relates to software. <br /><br />The Advisor makes strategic decisions on catalog pricing and product recommendations to the client based on the client's contractual agreements with the software publishers. The Advisor works alongside the Inside Account Managers (IAM) and Enterprise Account Executives (EAE) to strategically maximize margins. The Software Advisor proactively responds to or delegates client requests and tasks with little to no guidance, ensuring timely completion. The Software Advisor works directly with the software publishers to ensure the latest information is properly communicated to the sales teams and clients. <br /><br />The Advisor works with Connection product specialists to manage and update client contracts as needed. And proactively contacts sales teams and clients to ensure the client is within publisher requirements in case of an audit. The Advisor manages the client portal to ensure client visibility to expiring licenses and maintenance, ensuring expiring contracts are updated.
Responsibilities: <br /> <p><strong><u>Software Standards:<br /><br /></u></strong><u></u></p> <ul> <li>Strategically and proactively manages the customer's standard catalog making strategic decisions on pricing and product availability.</li> <li>Works with the client, IAM, and EAE to provide the client with SW product that is applicable to the client's business needs and policies.</li> <li>Updates SW parts pricing and discontinued parts in catalog by referencing internal reports as well as updates provided by the manufacturers through product roadmaps and proactively notifies client of possible replacement.</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><u>Software Proposals:<br /><br /></u></strong></p> <ul> <li>Proactively works with publisher to determine the best pricing options and advises clients on the best opportunities per their contracts and current products.</li> <li>Builds initial proposal templates for the sales teams to utilize based on the software contract agreements and pricing provided by the publisher.</li> <li>Assists the sales teams with understanding their client's software contracts and provides the parts and pricing for the products within the client's specific contract level</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><u>Customer Service:<br /><br /></u></strong></p> <ul> <li>Manages client order escalations thru to resolution working with necessary internal and external teams.</li> <li>Assists in resolving any issues by working as a liaison between the client and the Publisher.</li> <li>Assists order processing team with any order rejections and completes any tasks to resolve the issue.</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><u>Software Education:<br /><br /></u></strong></p> <ul> <li>Works with the software publishers to gather the latest information on available programs and provides training to the sales teams and to clients.</li> <li>Trains the Client Operations Advisors and IAMs to make sure they have proficient knowledge of these programs and understand how to quote and order for their clients properly.</li> <li>Provides mandatory training sessions on software for all new hires.</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><u>Software Order Entry:<br /><br /></u></strong></p> <ul> <li>Ensures the sales teams and Client Operations Advisors are properly processing and gathering all necessary contract information for proper order entry as it pertains to Software</li> <li>Works with the software suppliers to ensure that information provided is correct and processes</li> </ul> <br /> <p><strong><u>Renewals:</u></strong></p> <ul> <li>Proactively helps manage client's software contracts and provides proactive strategic quotes to the sales teams for renewals of expiring products.</li> <li>Update the Catalog to reflect the renewal options and pricing.</li> </ul> <br /> <p><strong><u>Order Tracking:</u></strong></p> <ul> <li>Assists the warranty team in tracking down licenses and software entitlement certificates when needed.</li> </ul>
Requirements: <br /> <p><strong><u>Job Qualifications:<br /><br /></u></strong></p> <ul> <li>Minimum years of career experience to qualify for role: 7 years</li> <li>Includes a minimum of five years of work experience in sales operations in a technology sales company, this could be manufacturer, reseller, or distributor level working with enterprise clients.</li> <li>Total years of career experience in order to be fully proficient: 10 years</li> </ul> <br /> <p><strong><u>Technology Skills:</u></strong></p> <ul> <li>Working knowledge of the IT reseller industry.</li> <li>Advanced technical knowledge as it relates to different Software Programs and Applications.</li> <li>Intermediate Microsoft Office skills to include Excel for creating and using spreadsheets</li> <li>Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Outlook for email to include working with a shared email box with ability to multi-task in a high-paced environment with multiple messages arriving at once.</li> </ul> <br /> <p><strong><u>Business Knowledge:</u></strong></p> <ul> <li>Experience with Software Publishers Special Pricing Letters and contracts for Enterprise clients</li> <li>Understanding of the top Software publishers, tools, and websites with the ability to navigate the publisher's tools and programs that leads to increased productivity and higher client satisfaction</li> </ul> <br /> <p><strong><u>Other Competencies:</u></strong></p> <ul> <li>Organized state of mind with ability to document activities, anticipate problems, plan schedules, and monitor performance according to priorities and deadlines</li> <li>Decisive with ability to make a prompt determination and substantiate decision if challenged.</li> <li>Articulate with ability to express oneself clearly and professionally in oral communication</li> <li>Excellent written communication skills with ability to compose professional business communications via email, letter, and proposals.</li> <li>Good listening skills with ability to receive information completely and understand what is being said</li> <li>Quick study with ability to master a situation or learn new things with minimum direction or training</li> <li>Problem solver with ability to identify and efficiently resolve issues using good judgment.</li> </ul>