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Outside Sales Representative

Zekelman Industries · IL · $90,000–$125,000 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 10, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a big account you grew. What did you do that moved the needle?

What they are checking: Whether they've driven real growth through relationships and value, not just taken orders.

Tell me about a time a customer had a quality or delivery problem. How did you handle it with them and with the plant?

What they are checking: Whether they can work across departments to fix a problem while keeping the customer's trust.

How do you build technical credibility with a fabricator or engineer who knows steel better than you do?

What they are checking: Whether they're willing to learn the product deeply and know when to bring in technical help.

Tell me about a deal you lost. What did you learn?

What they are checking: Whether they reflect honestly on losses and adjust, rather than blaming price or the market.

What would you do

Walk me through how you'd build a territory plan in your first ninety days.

What they are checking: Whether they can balance growing current accounts with prospecting new ones in an organized way.

A distributor tells you a competitor's tube is cheaper per ton. How do you respond?

What they are checking: Whether they can sell on service, availability and technical value without going straight to price cuts.

This job involves a lot of travel. How do you manage your time and stay in touch with accounts you can't visit often?

What they are checking: Whether they can stay disciplined and responsive working remotely across a large territory.

About the work

What do you know about the HSS market, and who buys hollow structural sections?

What they are checking: Whether they've done homework on the product and the service centers, fabricators and specifiers who drive demand.

How do you prospect for new customers when you're selling a commodity-like steel product?

What they are checking: Whether they have a real method for finding and opening doors, not just waiting for inbound calls.

How do you think about tonnage goals versus margin when you're working a deal?

What they are checking: Whether they understand both financial and tonnage targets and how they can pull against each other.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Zekelman Industries.

You may not know our name, but you know our products. What we make is part the places where we live, work and play – all day, everyday. Zekelman is a family of companies — 100% domestic manufacturers — with a legacy dating back to 1877. We’re proud to be the largest independent steel pipe and tube manufacturer in North America and the leading innovator in multi-family housing development. We believe in what we build and what we build, builds the world around us. Hospitals, hotels, schools, bridges, airports and more. Come build a career you believe in. The Outside Sales Representative for Atlas Tube is responsible for developing and maintaining strong relationships with customers, which will allow them to focus on generating new and existing business, developing new accounts while growing current accounts. These actions will help achieve sales goals by providing technical expertise, exceptional customer service and the high-quality Atlas Tube HSS products. The Outside Sales Representative will report to the Regional Manager and work with sales management in setting goals, learning about the HSS market and working with all departments to achieve financial and tonnage goals. This position covers South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia . Candidates residing within the designated territory are strongly preferred. Job Requirements • Develop and maintain customer relationships through travel and regular communication. • Prospect for new customers and generate qualified sales leads. • Prepare daily, job, CRU, and project quotes. • Follow up on orders and coordinate with the Inside Sales Representative team through completion. • Provide customer service, technical support, and assistance with customer claims. • Conduct customer outcalls and telephone sales activities. • Monitor and communicate customer, competitor, and market intelligence. • Complete monthly territory reviews and maintain the pricing matrix. • Participate in goal setting and performance reviews. • Visit Atlas locations as part of the educational process. • Manage time effectively and perform other related duties as assigned. Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree in Business, college diploma, or equivalent experience. • Seven or more years of related business or sales experience. • Strong customer relationship-building and communication skills. • Ability to prospect for new business and grow existing accounts. • Strong quoting, follow-up, organization, and time-management skills. • Ability to provide technical support and resolve customer concerns. • Must be based within the assigned territory and able to travel throughout the region as needed. • Ability to work independently and collaborate with sales management, Inside Sales Representatives, and other departments. Compensation for this role is $90,000 - $125,000 plus bonus. Zekelman Industries offers competitive compensation and excellent benefits, including low-cost, high-quality medical and dental benefits.  In addition, we have an amazing tuition assistance program, a bonus plan, a 401(k) plan with a generous company match, immediate vesting, and much more. M/F/D/V We are Zekelman Industries. We manufacture superior quality tubular and related products, and provide outstanding service for our valued customers. We seek to continuously advance the skills and opportunities of our employees, utilizing the latest technology and management tools available to consistently increase profitability and the enterprise value of Zekelman Industries and of our customers.

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