Area Manager for Great Company!

Airgas, Inc. (NYSE: ARG), through its subsidiaries, is the largest U.S. distributor of industrial, medical, and specialty gases, and hardgoods, such as welding equipment and supplies. Airgas is also one of the largest U.S. distributors of safety products, the largest U.S. producer of nitrous oxide and dry ice, the largest liquid carbon dioxide producer in the Southeast, and a leading distributor of process chemicals, refrigerants, and ammonia products. More than 11,500 employees work in over 900 locations, including branches, retail stores, gas fill plants, specialty gas labs, production facilities and distribution centers. Its national scale and strong local presence offer a competitive edge to its diversified customer base. For more information, please visit www.airgas.com  JOB DESCRIPTION: The primary function of this position is to manage and direct the sales activities for the Airgas strategic initiatives, which include sales of industrial gases, medical gases, specialty & bulk gases, welding supplies and safety and tool product lines in the assigned area.  The area sales manger will assist in coordinating sales by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and assist sales representatives  and branch managers with both maintaining and development of new customers.  The manager should expect to spend at least 90% of his / her time working with sales representatives, branch managers and their customers.  The manager should also be prepared to market directly with high profile customers where additional sales experience is required.  This position requires a proactive approach in assisting sales representatives with the identification and development of new customers.  The manager must be capable of assisting sales personnel in identifying customer needs, volume potential, price schedules, and discount rates and develop sales campaigns to accommodate goals of the company.   ESSENTIAL DUTIES: · Develops, coaches, and directs the efforts of the sales and branch personnel to achieve highest safety standards and performance.· Provide associates with communication regarding the company’s direction and other pertinent company information. · Assist employees in removing obstacles that impact their ability to accomplish their jobs.  Ensure that employee concerns are dealt with in a timely manner and elevated to the appropriate level when necessary. · Actively pursue and acquire, on an on-going basis, new and competitive accounts with emphasis on the Airgas strategic marketing areas. · Increases sales and total gross profit while controlling operating cost.  Assume P&L responsibility.· Ensures all customers receive quality customer service from company employees, ensures that existing customers are current on new products and processes and that all applicable product lines are promoted to the existing base.· Ensures customer inquiries related to billing problems, cylinder balances, order status, time of delivery, etc. are promptly and courteously handled; follows up as necessary.· Maintains and upgrades his / her selling skills and technical/product knowledge skills and ensures that associates receive similar training. · Ensures compliance with all company policies and procedures.· Ensures disciplinary issues and performance deficiencies are properly discussed, documented in a timely manner, and forwarded to individual’s personnel file.· Performs other duties as assigned by management. Other Duties as Required: This job description should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive standards of this position.  Incumbents are expected to follow any other reasonable instructions, and perform any other related duties, as may be required by their supervisor. Performance of this job in a safe manner and in keeping with established Airgas policies is a condition of employment. MINIMUM QUALIFCATIONS AND EXPERIENCE: The requirements below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. · 5+ years experience in welding industry and/or sales, preferably both.  · Computer literacy required with both Microsoft Word and Excel. · Minimum 2 years successful management of a sales team that exceeded plan.· Past record of achieving double digit sales growth on a yearly basis. · Able to work independently and under some pressure to meet deadlines and sales targets.· Must be able to work with a wide variety of people with different personalities and backgrounds.· Demonstrates full knowledge of all order-entry, data research, and other computer skills necessary to service customers.  · Able to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.· Able to write reports business correspondence, and procedure manuals.· Able to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups in a business setting.· Able to operate a calculator to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions proportions, percentages, area, and volume.· Able to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.· Able to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.· Able to drive or have access to transportation. Physical Demands   The physical demands are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. · Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. · Occasionally must work in outside weather conditions and in moderately noisy conditions. INTERESTED? APPLY NOW! click this link: http://www.airgas.com/content/hotjobs.aspx?id=9008001000000 Company: Airgas Location: Southern Colorado,CO Salary:  55,000.00 - 80,000.00 USD /year Status:  Full Time, Employee Relevant Work Experience:  5+ to 7 Years Career Level:  Manager (Manager/Supervisor of Staff) Education Level:  High School or equivalent