Aviation Sales Specialist
Company Overview:
Pilot John International® (PJi®) stands at the forefront of the aviation industry by providing innovative, customer-driven solutions for aircraft maintenance equipment and supply needs. Pilot John International® (PJi®) is committed to being the premier global source for ground support equipment (GSE), aircraft parts, avionics and test equipment, consumables, and pilot supplies. With decades of experience and a dedicated team, we deliver unmatched service through expert guidance and responsive support to private and commercial aviation entities.
Position Overview:
Pilot John International (PJi®) is seeking a dynamic and results-driven sales professional with a strong desire to succeed in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment. The ideal candidate will be an outgoing, energetic self-starter with a proven ability to build and maintain relationships, multitask effectively, and collaborate with cross-functional teams. This role requires an approachable and coachable individual who thrives on providing exceptional service to customers in the aviation industry. Based at our Greenville, NC headquarters, the Aviation Sales Specialist will play a key role in expanding our customer base, nurturing existing relationships, and driving business growth.
Sales Skills Required:
The ideal candidate should have a strong foundation in sales skills, including the ability to build rapport quickly, negotiate effectively, and close deals efficiently, while demonstrating a customer-focused approach and a track record of meeting or exceeding sales targets. Additionally, they should possess exceptional organizational skills for tracking leads and managing pipelines to ensure consistent follow-up and progress toward sales goals.
No Aviation Background Needed:
An aviation background is not required for this position. The selected candidate will receive on-the-job training to ensure success. A passion for learning and the ability to adapt quickly are key to excelling in this role.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
To excel in this position, the candidate must successfully perform the following duties. Additional responsibilities may be assigned as necessary:
- Customer Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with existing customers while identifying opportunities to develop new partnerships.
- Business Development: Leverage core sales tools, including LinkedIn, Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, Asana, and Missive, to identify opportunities, manage leads, and achieve business objectives.
- Customer Needs Assessment: Understand and address customer pain points and specific requirements to deliver tailored solutions.
- Communication: Exhibit strong written, verbal, and presentation skills to engage effectively with customers and internal stakeholders.
- Time Management: Effectively prioritize and manage multiple sales activities, ensuring timely follow-up with leads, meeting sales targets, and achieving deadlines to drive business growth.
- Proactive Problem-Solving: Exhibit a strong sense of urgency, initiative, and creativity in identifying and addressing customer challenges, providing tailored solutions, and continuously improving the customer experience.
- Team Collaboration: Contribute to the success of the sales team by working cohesively with colleagues and supporting shared objectives.
- Customer Interaction: Deliver exceptional service to customers via telephone, email, and online chat, ensuring timely and accurate and timely responses to inquiries.
- CRM Management: Document customer interactions, opportunities, and feedback in the CRM to track performance and inform business decisions.
- Industry Knowledge: Stay informed about new products, manufacturing partners, and trends in the aviation industry.
- Issue Resolution: Monitor and report customer complaints and feedback to ensure continuous improvement in service delivery.
- Email Monitoring: Manage shared sales team inboxes and provide support to colleagues as needed.
Core Competencies
Successful candidates should demonstrate the following competencies:
- Communication Skills: Strong listening, comprehension, and articulation abilities, both written and verbal. Effective use of communication channels to keep stakeholders informed.
- Customer-Centric Approach: Display empathy, courtesy, and professionalism in handling customer needs and feedback. Proactively address issues and maintain high service standards.
- Dependability: Consistently meets deadlines, follows instructions, and takes accountability for actions while maintaining punctuality and reliability.
- Planning and Organization: Exhibit strong organizational skills, prioritize effectively, and adapt seamlessly to changes.
- Quality Focus: Commit to continuous improvement, measure key outcomes, and incorporate customer feedback into processes.
- Technology Proficiency: Quickly adapt to new technologies, troubleshoot issues, and utilize tools to increase productivity.
- Team Collaboration: Contribute to a supportive and productive team culture.
Qualifications
The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for success in this role:
- Proven ability to communicate effectively, both written and verbal, with customers and team members.
- Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills to engage professionally with customers, colleagues, and vendors.
- Exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to delivering outstanding customer service.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and demonstrate professionalism in all interactions.
- Capacity to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Flexibility to prioritize tasks and adapt to the dynamic needs of a fast-paced workplace.
- Willingness to travel as needed for business development and customer support.
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Management or a related field preferred.
- Minimum of 5 years of sales experience (7+ years in lieu of degree).
