Product Manager - Automation

Flexibility Option:

Job Req Id: 31554

Description:

Be part of a growing, successful company in an exciting and challenging field. Border States is 100% employee-owned, which means you’re empowered to make decisions, find solutions and receive rewards for your hard work.

This position will be located in: Fargo, ND or Bismarck, ND, or Grand Forks, ND, or Dickinson, ND, or Williston, ND, or Sioux Falls, SD, or Minot, ND

Application Deadline: March 18, 2026 or Posted Until Filled

Please note that the position may be filled before or after the listed application deadline. Applications will only be accepted while the posting remains active.

Job Summary

Supports the day-to-day operations of Account Managers, Customer Service Reps, and customers by providing product, application, and technical support and service. Regularly supports automation customers and makes joint sales calls with Account Managers to secure orders and perform other sales support functions for technical products and services. Consults with customers on product and system applications in your area of responsibility.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions

- Supports the day-to-day operations of Account Managers, Customer Service Reps, and customers by providing product, application, and technical support and service

- Works closely with Border States’ sales and marketing staff to meet and exceed sales and gross profit objectives.

- Regularly supports automation customers and makes joint sales calls with Account Managers to secure orders and perform other sales support functions for technical products and services which includes but is not limited to providing customers field support by phone or other means, application support, repair service, training, and other services as required.

- Consults with customers on product and system applications.

- Provides customers with timely follow-up on quotations, technical inquiries and other requests.

- Inputs TCCM cost savings documentation that is relevant to the assigned customer base.

- Provides continuous contact and interaction with customer’s engineering staff, contractors and consultants.

- Provides specific or specialized product support for branches and customers.

- Actively participates in the marketing, planning, and sale of Border States’ technical products and services, including Schneider Electric Automation Products.

- Participates in and advises management on the implementation and success of marketing plans and strategies.

- Provides input to other sales and marketing staff on customer needs and concerns regarding pricing, products, competition, procedures, and market potential.

- Evaluates new products and makes recommendations on stock levels for new and existing products.

- Leads customer and BSE employee training on new and existing automation product lines and applications in specified product areas.

- Designs, develops and/or maintains database and documentation files such as engineering and technical records, TCCM savings, customer parts database by SKU including technical reference information (guides, specifications and standards), product and vendor files, technical reference library, and customer information file.

- Evaluates and manages regions demo equipment and makes suggestions for new products in specified product areas.

Non-essential Functions

- Provides input to the pricing and purchasing departments on product evaluations and code descriptions, inventory management, pricing developments, and other related functions.

- Ensures existing demos are in functional condition.

- Performs product updates and new product launches for branches and customers as required.

- Attends and assists with sales meetings, trade shows and training programs as needed.

- Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor or designate.

Qualifications

- Minimum of a four-year technical or engineering degree preferred or the equivalent in work experience.

- Prefer the knowledge and technical competence in understanding electrical and hi-tech industrial products and applications including industrial automation software and hardware.

- Minimum of three-years of prior electrical distribution and quotations experience preferred with a comprehensive knowledge of BSE product lines and applications, alternate product substitutes, and supplier pricing policies.

- Ability to read, write and speak in English preferred.

- Prefer strong working knowledge of PC for Windows, Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Access and PowerPoint), Internet, Email and SAP software.

Skills and Abilities

- Consistently provides responsive, quality service to meet and exceed customer expectations.

- Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication and customer service skills are preferred with the ability to effectively plan and organize.

- Excellent customer service skills include being competent, accurate, responsive and engaged.

Physical Requirements

Frequency at which you would carry/lift in a typical day:

Occasionally 0 – 33% Frequently 34 – 66% Continuously: 67 – 100%

- Lift from Waist:

- < than 10 lbs. - Not at all

- 10 to 25 lbs. - Not at all

- 26 to 50 lbs. - Not at all

- 51 to 75 lbs. - Not at all

- 75 to 100 lbs. - Not at all

- 100+ lbs. - Not at all

- Lift from Floor:

- < than 10 lbs. - Frequently

- 10 to 25 lbs. - Frequently

- 26 to 50 lbs. - Frequently

- 51 to 75 lbs. - Not at all

- 75 to 100 lbs. - Not at all

- 100+ lbs. - Not at all

- Carried for Distance:

- < than 10 lbs. - Not at all

- 10 to 25 lbs. - Not at all

- 26 to 50 lbs. - Not at all

- 51 to 75 lbs. - Not at all

- 75 to 100 lbs. - Not at all

- 100+ lbs. - Not at all

Physical Activity

Frequency at which you would do the following in a typical day:

- Sitting (a continuous period of being seated) - Continuously

- Standing (for sustained periods of time) - Frequently

- Walking (moving about on foot to accomplish tasks) - Frequently

- Bending/stooping (downward and forward) - Frequently

- Crawling (moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet) - Not at all

- Climbing/Walking Stairs (ascending or descending) - Frequently

- Reaching (extending arms in any direction) - Frequently

- Crouching/squatting (bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine) - Occasionally

- Kneeling (bending legs at knee to come to rest on knee(s)) - Occasionally

- Balancing (maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling) - Occasionally

- Repetitive motion (substantial movement (motions) or the wrists, hands, and/or fingers) - Frequently

- Pivoting (movement in any direction with one foot, keeping the other in contact with the floor) - Occasionally

- Pushing/Pulling (using upper extremities to press against or draw or tug) - Occasionally

- Grasping (Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm) - Frequently

- Fingering (picking, pinching, typing; working with primarily fingers and not whole hand) - Frequently

- Talking (expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word) - Continuously

- Driving (the control and operation of a motor vehicle) - Frequently

- Desk work (work usually performed at a desk) - Frequently

- Use of a computer - Frequently

- Use of a telephone - Continuously

- Hearing (Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels) - Continuously

- Exposure (to adverse weather & temperature conditions) - Occasionally

- Travel (travel needed to perform job duties) - Frequently

Additional Information

This job description is a summary of the job duties and responsibilities and is not intended to cover all possible job duties and is subject to change at the employer’s discretion. Employees must be able to perform the essential job duties and satisfy job requirements either with or without a reasonable accommodation.