Braun Board

Outside Sales Representative

Conner Industries Inc. · Chester, VA

Base
$75K
OTE
Not disclosed
Quota attainment
Not disclosed
Posted
4d ago

Why it matters: OTE tells you what you could earn. Attainment tells you how realistic it is.

Ask: “What percentage of fully ramped reps hit quota last year?”

Still open · checked 2h agoon Conner Industries Inc.'s careers page

The job

What you'd do
Sell custom wood packaging to industrial companies, growing a set list of customers and finding new ones through cold calls. You'll travel as needed and might relocate to open new regions.
Who you'd sell to
Not stated in the posting.Ask: “Who's the economic buyer, and who else is in the deal?”
Where deals come from
Mostly you. Expect a lot of outbound: cold calls, emails and LinkedIn.

The Braun Read

Ask hard questions

Too much is left unsaid. Make them answer before you invest.

Pay
Base is listed but not OTE. Ask what the variable is and how many people hit it.
Transparency
Says nothing about quota, attainment, deal size, territory or sales cycle.
Time on market
Open 4 days.
Company hiring
3 sales roles open, hiring at a steady pace.

Based only on what the posting says. Lights are a starting point for your first call, not a final judgment.

Questions to ask on the first call

Built from what this posting leaves out. How they answer tells you as much as what they say.

  1. 1.

    What percentage of fully ramped reps hit quota last year?

    OTE is what you could earn. This is how likely you are to earn it.

  2. 2.

    What percentage of reps on the team have been here more than 18 months?

    Tenure shows whether people stay long enough to get paid.

  3. 3.

    Has the comp plan changed in the last 12 to 18 months? What changed?

    A plan that changes every year means the goalposts keep moving.

  4. 4.

    Who sits with reps and reviews calls each week?

    Coaching is often what's behind a good or bad attainment number.

  5. 5.

    What's the OTE, and what did the median rep earn last year?

    Base is what you're guaranteed. OTE and the median show the upside.

  6. 6.

    Why is this role open? Did someone leave, or is it new?

    New headcount is growth. A replacement means someone left. Ask why.

› When the offer comes

Save these for later. They land better once they've said yes to you.

  1. 1.

    Can I see the full comp plan in writing, including clawbacks and accelerators?

    What's in writing is what gets paid. Read it before you sign.

  2. 2.

    Can I see the actual comp distribution for the team last year, not just the OTE?

    The spread shows what most reps really take home. OTE is just the target.

  3. 3.

    I'd be walking away from earned commission to join. Is there room for a sign-on bonus to help cover that?

    Leaving money behind is a fair reason to ask. The worst answer is no.

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Full posting
OutsideSales Representative $75k Base + Commissions Hybrid Work Options COMPANY Conner Industries, Inc. is a leading provider of custom wood packaging and integrated packaging solutions, serving customers across a wide range of industrial markets. Supported by our vertically integrated industrial lumber capabilities, we operate 18 manufacturing locations nationwide. With more than 40 years in the industry, Conner continues to deliver reliable, tailored packaging solutions that meet the demands of our customers. KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES The Conner Industries Outside Sales Representative position is ideal for an ambitious recent graduate or early-career professional seeking to build a successful career in sales and business development. This role provides hands-on training and mentorship in industrial lumber, packaging solutions, and consultative selling. The successful candidate will learn our business from the ground up while developing skills in customer relationship management, prospecting, and territory growth. With a base salary plus commission, the successful candidate will build a customer portfolio, grow their sales territory, and achieve strong earning potential through hard work and performance. Requirements DUTIES AND REQUIREMENTS - Learn the industrial lumber market and processes required to manufacture and sell industrial lumber - Understand and effectively present Conner’s manufacturing, service and quality capabilities that benefit our industry - Willing to take a hands-on approach in all aspects of our business - Utilize and maintain the Conner CRM and pipeline system - Create and build long-lasting customer relationships on multiple levels - Develop and negotiate customized pricing contracts while understanding risk/reward - Communicate internally with Conner Purchasing, Production, Transportation and Accounting - Close sales by telephone and face to face, traveling as needed - Manage account profitability and grow revenue and revenue base - Manage orders through production cycle and satisfy the customer - Demonstrated sales experience and ability to work effectively as part of a team - Self-Starter and eager to learn, motivated by the hunt and a desire to improve - Excellent verbal and written communication skills - Ability to prioritize and multi-task with a strong attention to detail - Ability to develop and give oral presentations to both small and large groups - Willing to travel; must have a dependable vehicle - Potentially relocate to develop new regions/markets - Experience in sales processes including cold calls, prospecting, target selling and account management - Analytical thinker with a strong emphasis on data gathering and analysis - Energetic, organized with ability to manage a wide range of projects and priorities QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE - Bachelor’s degree preferred - Coursework in business curriculum a plus - Minimum of 2 years of experience in sales or other customer-facing roles - Strong computer skills with experience in the Microsoft Office suite EEO Statement Conner Industries provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Conner Industries complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, and transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Benefits - Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision) - Retirement Plan (401k) - Life Insurance - Paid Time Off - Accrued Immediately, Available at 30 days - 8 Company Paid Holidays - Short Term & Long Term Disability - Tuition Reimbursement Program - Including Trade Schools - Training & Development
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