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Supplier Advocate

This position is located in Chicago.

The Role:

One way to describe the job is a cross between a diplomat and a reporter for technology inventors and suppliers.

As Supplier Advocate, you will go to bat for companies that make anything from gel magnets to memory metal, from wireless power to flavor changing additives. Inventables shows these novel technologies to our customers in the hopes that they find something that can help differentiate their products. You help suppliers understand how Inventables can help them and then work with them to get their technology in the right format to show our customers.

Your primary responsibility will be to set expectations with the vendors and maintain good relationships. On a daily basis you'll be ordering technology samples and confirming information about technologies to make sure we are getting the best for our customers. You'll be working with inventors and suppliers to showcase their capabilities in the most accurate and useful way possible.

To make your job easier you will also be involved in making the technologies come to us on their own. We cast a wide net but it will be your job to make us into a technology magnet!

You:

You are the kind of person that knows how to make lemonade out of lemons. You can walk into hostile situations and make peace because you are a friendly, patient, and you understand where other people are coming from. You've always been a good listener and you have a way of talking to people that makes them want to help you. You like helping people because it gives you a warm fuzzy inside and you also think technology is pretty cool. When you look out the window of an airplane and see the engines and the wing you are always in awe of human ingenuity. You want to participate in this process by helping to connect manufactures and suppliers.

Requirements:

  • At least 3 years of customer service experience, preferably using some CRM software
  • A knack for turning "cold" calls into "warm" ones
  • College degree in a technical field a plus
  • An understanding of consumer product development and supply chains

Our Team:

Honesty and integrity - We are honest with each other, vendors, customers, and honest with ourselves. We acknowledge things as they are, not as we wish them to be.

A commitment to rational thinking - Decisions are based on logic and reason instead of emotions or intuition.

Responsibility - We take ownership over the outcome. We share the entrepreneurial spirit and play to win.

Excellence - As individuals we have higher expectations for ourselves than Inventables has for us. We are committed to personal excellence and self-improvement.

Curiosity - We are curious people that are always learning about new things and investigating new areas: from buying novel products at the grocery store to exploring new information technology.

Compensation:

Position is available to start immediately. Compensation includes competitive salary, performance based bonus, and equity options.
Benefits include:

  1. The opportunity to be a part of the core team of a growing, exciting start-up
  2. Health benefits
  3. Flex hours for nearly every professional employee
  4. Casual dress everyday
  5. Exploration budget to satisfy your curiosity
  6. Located in downtown Chicago in the heart of the River North restaurant and entertainment district

Growth:

Inventables is a growing start up company. In this position, as with all positions at Inventables, you will be the master of your own destiny. Your success will be determined by your performance. Success will open the door for future advancement both in compensation and responsibilities. This is the kind of company where you are encouraged to create opportunities for yourself. Your responsibilities will grow as your ability to handle this role improves over time.

Advancement Path: Director of Research, or a lateral move to Customer Success or Sales

About Inventables:

Founded in 2002, Inventables is making the sourcing and selling of materials and technologies simple. Thousands of product developers at companies including Colgate-Palmolive, Avon, Unilever, and Radio Flyer are working with Inventables. Products directly influenced by Inventables are already beginning to fill store shelves.

How to Apply:

Please fill out this survey to apply. All surveys are reviewed in person. If you have any questions please email jobs at inventables dot com.