Ceiling Architectural Sales Representative - Chicago

USG is an industry-leading manufacturer of building products and innovative solutions. For over 125 years, Chicago-based USG has developed award-winning wall, ceiling, flooring, sheathing, and roofing products that enable customers to build outstanding spaces where people live, work, and play. With over 8,700 employees across North America and operations around the world, we are steadfastly committed to our core values: safety, innovation, quality, integrity, service, diversity, and efficiency.

We’re big enough that our professionals have the resources to make a difference, yet small enough that you’re not just a number. You’ll work on key initiatives and build strong relationships across the company that will position USG for growth into the future.

USG offers work-life balance, specialist and general/managerial career paths, promotion from within, exceptional benefits, and incredible long-term career opportunities for the right professional. Each year, we have hundreds of employees who celebrate milestone anniversaries with us.

The Architectural Sales Representative - Ceilings applies extensive product, technical, and application expertise to promote all Ceilings Division products to the specification community. The incumbent establishes strong relationships with top architects & designers in assigned territory. In addition, the incumbent collaborates effectively with local Ceilings Sales Representatives & Contractor Sales Representatives to influence customer decisions and close projects “from spec to sale.”

Ideal candidate will live within the Chicago metro area.

• Through effective selling, this position contributes to USG's short- and long-term growth in sales volume, gross profit and industry position, with a particular focus on Ceilings products

• Proactively builds relationships with the Architecture & Design community to write specifications that increase preference and demand for USG ceilings products and systems.

• Works closely with local USG Ceilings sales team & USG contractor representatives through the entire selling cycle to ensure we have the best chance of success.

• Uses sales tools such as  to track key jobs, identify/communicate leads, and locate greatest opportunities with customers

• Monitors competitive activity and strategically promotes USG’s product offering

• Actively launches/promotes/trains Architects & Designers on new ceilings products and specialty ceilings products while maintaining support of core ceilings products.

• Assists in answering all technical questions pertaining to ceilings including testing, applications, code and performance. Coordinates with contractor and technical resources when appropriate

• Applies Dimensions of Professional Selling tools and techniques throughout the entire sales process to provide an exceptional customer experience and added value

• Works closely with all shared services including Inside sales, Marketing, Business Unit, Sales Operations and Customer Service to ensure that customer interactions all occur with the highest level of service.

• Deep understanding of commercial building process and how they interact:
  Owner, General Contractor, Architect, Distributor & Sub-contractor.

• Ideal candidate has developed relationships within the specification community to drive awareness and repeat specifications for all ceilings related products.

• Ability to present at a high level, both virtually and in-person to the A&D community.

• Self-starter with very strong organizational, time management, and problem-solving abilities

• Computer proficiency required in MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).  is used daily to record and share information. Other industry related computer skills (CAD, REVIT, Sketch Up, Presentation software, etc.) are a plus

• Attends USG sponsored training courses to thoroughly understand value-proposition, positioning strength, and overall strategy and tactics of launching a new ceilings system

• Proven ability to identify key decision makers and build relationships. An adept networker

• Good listener. Strong written and oral communication skills. Interactive presentation skills. Good…