Customer Care Specialist

DescriptionStateside Electronics (SSE) seeks a Customer Care Specialist (CCS) to join our wholly owned, 28-year-old, subsidiary company, Van Cleve & Associates (VCA) who exclusively focuses on selling audio and video security technology to the U.S government, and regional and local law enforcement agencies. The CCS functions as a frontline, account management and customer service representative who will grow, nurture and maintain successful relationships with our customers.If you enjoy selling new technology, supporting our government, and you are ready to take more ownership and self-satisfaction with your career by working with an org that appreciates your performance and positive attitude, then you’re ready to be part of SSE and VCA.In This Role You Will• Be a key presence in nurturing and growing our relationships and business with our Federal Government, equipment resellers, and law enforcement customers by providing technology solutions that will support their proactive surveillance, investigative, and technical surveillance counter measure (TSCM) efforts.• Address all product and system-related queries quickly (within normal business hours), work with the inside team to resolve any issues, and provide effective communication through the process.• Immerse yourself with technology and become comfortable demonstrating, influencing, and supporting it to customers.• Have a desire to learn what you represent and serve as a trusted advisor by adding value as a knowledgeable expert on the technology solutions we offer. Possess the ability to influence, inspire trust, establish credibility, and sustain it.• Periodically update other customer account team members with a short overview briefing on projects and technology; sharing ideas for similar activities with other customers that may lead to new opportunities.• Maintain the persona of an experienced professional, focusing on success in all engagements, providing expertise in mapping requirements to solutions that can be fulfilled and supported by VCA.• Work collaboratively with others at VCA and SSE to identify the necessary strategic long-term and short-term technical services and products to achieve the overall success of the company.• Manage key and house accounts that are primarily in the Mid-Atlantic region. You will be based in the greater DC area with willingness to travel occasionally within the local DC/MD/VA (DMV) area to customer and partner sites and occasionally 2-4x/year across the continental US for trade events/conferences as required.You’re a great fit if you have• 3+ years security products experience in relationship-growing inside sales and/or customer service skills focused on Federal Level Intelligence (e.g. collections, operations, digital innovation, and science & technology), or equivalent experience as a government civilian technically supporting federal government organizations in a security sales-related position.• Proven track record of achieving company goals, working on projects that generate at least $1m sales annually, and achieving key performance indicators. Detail oriented and positively (self-enjoyable) focused with a drive to succeed. Comfortable being an individual contributor yet possessing a demonstrated ability to foster collaboration and support of the team. Experience with maintaining a transactional sales pipeline and using a CRM system daily.• Tech-savvy acumen with working knowledge of security-oriented audio, video, RF, digital technologies combined with hands-on familiarity of operational apps including MS Office and commercial CRM. Willingness to learn new skills in a fast-paced environment.• Excellent communication and networking skills; you enjoy meeting new people and sharing with them the products and solutions that you represent.• Solid organization skills with the discipline to work independently. You are adept at managing multiple tasks, and you are clear on priorities or at least know what questions to ask when you want help/support to determine their importance level. Possess the ability to express a sense of urgency while still maintaining a positive attitude.• While not a requirement, having a current or previous security clearance is a bonus as we pursue new opportunities with our customer base. Be capable of qualifying for a clearance is essential including being a U.S. citizen.• Excellent logical problem-solving, strong interpersonal and communication skills, fluent in writing andspeaking English. Ability to provide remote work as required within different time zones.You’re interested in more details• This role is an individual contributor who is primarily focused on the security electronics industry – think pro video cameras, high-tech recorders, interesting mics, and other new tech equipment that supports security and safety. While not a requirement, you are a good fit if you have successful experience working with a security-related product distributor and you are interested in working in a more supportive environment.• The office you will support is based in Northern Virginia so you will reside in the greater DC area (DC/MD/VA).• Acceptable compensation is based on work experience. There is PTO, a 401K plan, and 50% health insurance premium paid. As we grow, we plan to add more benefits.• Our hours have flexibility, but ideally you should be available when our customers are available during the workday. Typically, no work on the weekend.• VCA is a well-established company that provides security-related audio and video technology to government agencies. VCA is an authorized reseller for 75+ top brands including Axis, iPro, Avigilon, HP, Cisco, and Dell. SSE is a privately held innovative product and services company based in the Seattle area. SSE produces custom LCD monitors for specific applications and is an IT managed service provider (MSP) who is an authorized partner with Microsoft, Cisco, Ruckus, and Ring Central. SSE has a unique and supportive culture that is Kaizen-based (continuous improvement).• SSE purchased VCA in 2022 and it has extended its work culture to VCA. SSE believes success is based on• communicating clearly without ambiguity• being thankful for our customers and managing their orders and projects with care• appreciating our supplier partners’ value and positively motivating their efforts daily• nurturing an encouraging work culture which inspires innovation• rewarding calculated risk-taking• actively seeking and celebrating win-win scenarios• each employee finding joy in their efforts throughout their workday• an obsession towards continual improvement – what can be done better, more efficient, more easily?