Salesperson in Sheet Metal Fabrication

A Salesperson in Sheet Metal Fabrication with experience in costing, PPAP (Production Part Approval Process), and new product development using advanced manufacturing equipment such as laser cutting machines, CNC bending machines, and shearing machines would have a specialized set of responsibilities. These responsibilities involve a combination of technical sales skills, project management, and deep understanding of the production processes. Below are the key responsibilities for such a role:

Sales & Business Development:

• Prospecting & Lead Generation: Identifying potential clients in industries that require sheet metal fabrication, such as automotive, aerospace, electronics, and construction.
• Client Consultation: Meeting with prospective and existing customers to understand their needs for sheet metal products, especially those that involve laser cutting, CNC bending, and shearing.
• Providing Solutions: Offering tailored fabrication solutions by combining product knowledge with advanced manufacturing capabilities to meet the client's requirements.
• Account Management: Maintaining strong relationships with existing clients, understanding their evolving needs, and working to expand the business with them.

Costing & Pricing:

• Estimating Costs: Accurately calculating the costs for custom sheet metal fabrication projects, taking into account material, labor, machine time, and any additional processes like welding, coating, or finishing.
• Cost Optimization: Working with engineering teams to identify cost-effective solutions without compromising on quality, often by optimizing part designs or selecting alternative materials.
• Quoting: Preparing and presenting detailed and competitive quotes to clients for new orders or repeat business.
• Negotiation: Negotiating with clients on pricing, terms, and conditions to close deals while ensuring profitability for the company.

PPAP (Production Part Approval Process):

• PPAP Documentation: Leading or assisting in the development and submission of PPAP documentation to clients (particularly for industries like automotive or aerospace), ensuring compliance with customer quality standards.
• Process Flow & Control Plans: Collaborating with engineering and quality teams to create process flows, control plans, and other required PPAP documentation.
• Approval Management: Coordinating the submission of the necessary samples, documentation, and testing results to gain customer approval for production runs.

New Product Development (NPD):

• Collaborating on Design: Working closely with the design and engineering teams to develop new products, ensuring that designs are manufacturable with available machinery such as laser cutters, CNC bending, and shearing machines.
• Prototyping: Assisting in the development of prototypes, providing input on design feasibility and manufacturability, and ensuring that prototypes meet both functional and aesthetic requirements.
• Feedback Loop: Collecting feedback from clients regarding prototypes and adjusting designs or processes as necessary to meet customer needs.
• Material Selection: Advising on the selection of materials (e.g., steel, aluminum, stainless steel) for new product designs, ensuring that the choice aligns with the functionality and budget.

Process & Production Knowledge:

• Understanding Fabrication Techniques: Deep knowledge of the sheet metal fabrication processes, including laser cutting, CNC bending, shearing, and other secondary operations.
• Manufacturing Feasibility: Providing input on the manufacturability of designs using advanced technologies like laser cutting, ensuring that the designs can be fabricated efficiently and cost-effectively.
• Machine Capabilities: Familiarity with the capabilities and limitations of machines (laser cutters, CNC benders, and shearing machines) and how they impact product design, cost, and lead times.

Project Management:

• Order Management: Overseeing the entire sales order process, ensuring that customer requirements are met from order placement through to final delivery.
• Coordinating with Production: Collaborating with production teams to ensure that the fabrication of parts follows the approved designs, specifications, and deadlines.
• Managing Timelines: Keeping track of project timelines to ensure on-time delivery and communicating any potential delays to customers promptly.

Customer Support & Technical Assistance:

• Pre-Sales Support: Providing technical expertise and support to clients during the early stages of the sales process, answering questions about manufacturing capabilities, materials, and processes.
• Post-Sales Support: Assisting customers with technical issues or concerns after product delivery, ensuring satisfaction and maintaining strong relationships.
• Troubleshooting: Addressing any issues related to product quality or performance and collaborating with internal teams to resolve them quickly.

Quality Assurance & Control:

• Ensuring Quality Standards: Making sure that the products meet customer requirements as well as internal quality standards. This might involve liaising with the quality control team to ensure proper inspection and testing.
• Continuous Improvement: Working closely with production teams to identify areas for process improvements, helping reduce defects, improve efficiency, and reduce costs.

Technical Documentation:

• Preparing Technical Proposals: Developing and presenting technical proposals to clients, including drawings, specifications, and detailed product descriptions.
• Product Specifications: Ensuring that all project documentation, including drawings, BOMs (bills of materials), and specifications, is accurate and clearly communicated.

Market Research & Trends:

• Industry Knowledge: Keeping up to date with industry trends, technological advancements in sheet metal fabrication, and competitor activities.
• Market Expansion: Identifying opportunities for expanding the company's reach into new markets or industries that could benefit from advanced sheet metal fabrication techniques.

Sales Reporting & Forecasting:

• Sales Pipeline Management: Maintaining an organized sales pipeline and forecasting future sales based on customer interest, project timelines, and historical data.
• Reporting: Providing regular sales performance reports to management, tracking key metrics like revenue, lead conversion rates, and project progress.

Health, Safety, and Compliance:

• Safety Standards: Ensuring that all products meet required safety standards and that the sales process includes discussions of safety requirements.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring that fabricated products comply with industry regulations and certifications (e.g., ISO standards, UL certifications).

The role of a salesperson in sheet metal fabrication requires a balance of technical knowledge, sales expertise, and project management skills. The salesperson needs to have a deep understanding of sheet metal manufacturing processes, such as laser cutting, CNC bending, and shearing, as well as experience with costing, PPAP, and new product development to provide valuable input at every stage of the sales cycle. Effective communication, technical problem-solving, and strong relationship-building skills are essential for success in this role.