We
offer:
-
a
sales position where you can be proud of what you are selling,
sell with integrity, AND be well compensated.
-
lots
of variety on the job, both physically and mentally, mixing shipping
and other responsibilities along with sales.
- lots
of potential to grow and advance.
We treat our
customers far above average (many call or email back just to express
their appreciation) and we are looking for an above-average
person to help us grow further, and to grow with us. Someone with
an above-average work ethic, integrity, and intelligence.
BUSINESS
ArmorUP L.P. is an internet-based, retail and wholesale distributor
of Body Armor. We provide ballistic protection to a diverse base
of customers, from the police and U.S. Military, to defense contractors,
war correspondents, export customers and private citizens. Starting
in 2001, we are a small business that has grown rapidly, and have
continued to grow through the recent recession, with zero long term
debt.
Our sales are
mail order, over the phone and email, but we pride ourselves on
a highly professional and personal standard of customer sales and
service. This has earned us a superior reputation in the marketplace,
and a loyal customer base that has kept our business strong through
word of mouth advertising. We plan to update our website, for further
growth in 2015.
For more information
on the business, see our homepage,
and our interview
with FOX News.
THE WORK
After training, and getting on top of product knowledge, the main
part of your time would be to respond to incoming phone calls and
email, for sales and customer service. Problem solving, consultative
sales conversations, sometimes technical, with customers calling from
our website, or established customer base. Definitely NOT high
pressure sales (and we are too busy to do cold calling).
The
other major part of the job is handling inventory and order processing
quickly and efficiently:
Shipping and
more routine "grunt work" would be a majority of your
time at first, gradually becoming a minority of your time as you
learn the ropes, and become more efficient.
IS THIS CAREER A GOOD FIT FOR YOU?
|
Pros
|
Cons
|
|
Meaningful
work.
Most
folks really appreciate professional help with equipment
that will give them peace of mind - and might just save
their life. It's particularly gratifying when a customer
tells us how we helped save his/her life (see our Testimonials).
If you
enjoy communicating with all kinds of people, in all kinds
of situations, and helping them solve problems, you will
really enjoy your time on the phone which is the primary
job.
|
You
will get your hands dirty from time to time.
"Grunt
work" is a minority of the time on the job after the
first few months, but this is definitely not a pure "white
collar" job.
|
|
Lots
of variety
In who
you talk to, and what you do.
Generally
very interesting work as you talk to many different
kinds of people to help solve their problem, in many different
situations, here in the U.S., and all over the world.
There
are a myriad number of different jobs to be done in a small
business, so you won't be tied to a desk all the time, and
will see lots of variety in the work.
You
definitely need to be able to shift your focus from one
task to another, as you wear a lot of different hats in
a small business.
|
Some
Heavy Lifting
Part
of the variety is lifting heavy boxes!
We sell
a lot of heavy items, which ship out daily (and when 3,000
lbs. of inventory arrives, it is all hands on deck!). You
must be comfortable with some physical effort every day.
|
|
Merit
Based Compensation
You
will be paid commensurate with your skill, effort and responsibility.
In a
small business your contribution will not go unnoticed.
|
Time
Pressure
...when
it gets busy, to keep up with incoming customer calls, follow-up
with customers, and meet deadlines.
The
more capably you handle the pressure, the more you will
make.
|
|
Long
Term Job Security
ArmorUP
L.P. is an established, debt-free business in a stable industry.
In a
small business, someone who makes a significant contribution
is not let go lightly, due to a slow quarter, or a call
from corporate HQ to "cut headcount"
We are
looking for a long term, stable employee to grow with.
|
Performance
Expectations
You
will be expected to quickly demonstrate an above average
work ethic, attention to detail, and ability to learn. In
a small business everybody needs to be pulling the wagon!
We
need to see a high level of performance at the simpler tasks
before we train for the higher level work.
|
|
Sharpen
your professional, consultative sales skills.
Lots
of one on one coaching to get to where you can offer expert
advice on Body Armor solutions, choices and tradeoffs for
customers.
Our
philosophy is soft
selling in a hard world.
|
Learning
Curve
It definitely
takes an interest in Body Armor, and a motivated
effort to get on top of all the product
knowledge before you can talk professionally to customers,
and earn bonuses. |
COMPENSATION
Compensation commensurate with performance, experience and responsibilities.
Tell us what you are looking for.
Starting / Training
Wage is $ 15 per hour. After
training, performance-based bonuses are a major part of the compensation,
and closely tied to the level of responsibility successfully handled,
and gross revenue attributable to your efforts.
Previous employees
have grossed $40 to $50,000 per year after getting through the learning
curve. Your compensation will be dependent on your contribution,
and is not fixed.
HEALTH INSURANCE
Section 105
Health Reimbursement plan available after 3 month initial period.
This plan provides a fixed amount per month to apply to the health
insurance plan that you choose, and can also reimburse out
of pocket health-care costs.
POTENTIAL FOR ADVANCEMENT
A go-getter
who demonstrates drive, competence and integrity will earn more
responsibility and compensation. Ideally we want someone with the
capability to gain the experience to work into larger quantity sales,
and take over some of the General Manager's responsibilities (and
then train and manage a new employee to take over shipping and inventory
responsibilities).
The long term
potential, for the right person, would be to buy in as a
part owner with a very attractive ROI. This would be a golden opportunity
to create long term wealth. Our interest would be to incentivize
a highly valued long-term employee to take on more responsibility
as an owner-manager with financial "skin in the game".
This would free up the General Manager's schedule to focus on growing
the business further. Our aim is also that objectives, such
as maximizing the long term value of the business, and minimizing
legal liability, are perfectly aligned.
LOCATION: Oak Hill / Southwest
Austin, Texas
HOURS: Core
office hours 8:00 to 5:00, Monday through Friday. Overtime required
depending on workload.
-
highly
motivated to serve the customer with
integrity, and pleasant on the phone - even under time pressure.
-
can
maintain a high level of attention to detail.
Mistakes
can be very costly,
so you must have the habit of double checking your work to minimize
mistakes. We deal in equipment for the protection of life,
so "dumb" mistakes are not acceptable.
-
A strong work ethic. Must be a self-starter
who can handle being left alone to get the job done, i.e., a
sense of urgency to get the job done without being prodded by
a supervisor. This is a fast-paced small business, we don't
have time for micro-managing.
-
Likely
a college degree, or equivalent professional work experience.
Must be a fast learner to get on top of all the product
knowledge, and become comfortable with many varied tasks and roles.
-
MUST
be comfortable and safe lifting boxes - which are often 60 lbs.
or more - from the ground up to the back of a tall
pickup truck.
-
able
to keyboard accurately and efficiently.
-
proficient
with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Not required,
but helpful:
- knowledge of
firearms, CHL or police / military experience.
- computer skills
such as Quicken, Photoshop, etc., etc.
- photography
skills
- Spanish fluency
HOW TO APPLY:
No phone calls or visits, please! (We are very busy on
the phone.)
Email
us your resume and a cover letter which:
1. tell
me what attracts you to this career, and
2. show me where you have demonstrated above average achievement,
attention to detail, or integrity in your work, education, sport,
hobbies and/or life,
3. Attachments are fine for resumes, but please use text
in the body of the email for your cover letter.
4. If you have letters of reference from previous employers, please
attach.
We will email
you a confirmation of receipt of your email. In our hiring process,
typically we follow-up with a few candidates by phone, then online
aptitude testing, and then a personal interview.
Thank you for
your time.
Nick
Taylor
General
Manager
|
Armor UP
L.P. dba 