Solar Sales Consultant - Greater Peoria-West Central Illinois

Harvest Solar, an equal opportunity employer, is a Michigan-based company that provides cost-effective renewable energy for agriculture, commercial, and utility customers yielding more energy independence by utilizing solar energy. We believe in energy independence and a sustainable future for our children and grandchildren. Our purpose is to empower people to create and use renewable energy by providing them with the best‐in‐class service, products, and experience.

We are seeking a Solar Sales Consultant to drive the sales of solar systems in Illinois. The successful candidate will live in the area they service, be willing to meet face to face with customers within that area and educate the customer on the benefit of solar energy. Harvest Solar provides a business-use vehicle to support home visits, cold calling, and other business travel in addition to providing the necessary equipment to establish a home office.

Salary

The base salary for the position is $41,400.00 supported by a sliding scale commission between 4 and 2 % based on discounts. A stipend is available for the first 90 days of employment to assist you in building a customer base. Your ongoing sales performance is subject to quarterly and annual bonus programs.

If you have a valid state driver’s license, 1 to 2 years of outside sales experience, and are interested in Solar Sales, read on! OR apply now by sending your cover letter and resume to hr@harvestsolar.com.

Purpose of Position

The Solar Sales Consultant is responsible for the origination of new business by identifying customer prospects, developing solar energy proposals, and executing all transactions required to consummate a sale and that meet the company sales goals. The position requires direct customer interaction to manage the customer through the entire sales process and beyond ensuring superior customer service and referral opportunities. The position will primarily focus on rural residential, agricultural, and small business opportunities.

Major Responsibilities of Position

• Becoming an expert in the technical aspects of the product.
• All sales processes and customer relations within the designated sales geography, including obtaining all signed agreements and payments.
• Conduct site surveys and assessments, gathering complete information to be used for proposals, interconnection agreements, local utility agreements, and other required applications and forms.
• Prepare and make sales and informational presentations directly for end users, focus groups, trade shows and related events representing the area.
• Developing and implementing plans for products and services that determine and meet customer requirements.
• Negotiate and close sales.
• Aggressively build a portfolio of long-term customers within the area.
• Interaction with the central office (President, Sales and Marketing, Technical Support, Finance and Construction teams)
• Participate in the company's strategic marketing, business development activities and development of creative ideas to increase customer awareness.
• Meet with and report to supervisor on a regular basis.
• Work with local utilities for interconnection applications.
• Work with local townships and counties for zoning and permitting applications.
• Maintain a proactive, outgoing, positive, and social persona.
• Other duties, responsibilities, and activities as assigned.

The successful candidate will have: (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Attributes)

• Ability to represent Harvest Solar in a professional manner to owners, contractors, vendors, tradeshow attendees, and any other contacts outside the Harvest organization.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, clients, employees, and the public.
• Ability to take full ownership of projects and ensure their success even if it means going above and beyond the norm to accomplish them.
• Ability to organize work and tasks to drive results; expected to perform multiple tasks well and in a timely manner, managing several projects at once.
• Ability to interpret relevant industry codes / processes and understand products in a sales and administrative capacity.
• Willingness to pursue industry certifications and further education.
• Ability to understand and act effectively in a changing environment as both the industry and organization grow.
• Ability to understand and support a small expanding business by recognizing problems and bringing solutions to the forefront.
• Willing to work hours necessary to support the accomplishment of organizational goals.
• Ability to provide regular, consistent, and meaningful information.
• Listens carefully to others and ensures message is understood and ensures important matters are shared with appropriate parties.
• Fluent use of Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.), email etiquette and ability to learn design software.
• Willingness to pursue industry certifications and further education.
• Ability to work well individually and as part of a team.

Educational and Certification Background

• Valid State Driver’s License, required
• High school diploma or GED, required. Associate degree (or greater) in a relevant field preferred (engineering, math, physics, business, etc.).
• 1-2 years’ work experience in sales required. In person, outside sales, preferred.
• Basic knowledge of the solar PV markets, preferred

Work Environment

• Day travel expected up to 80% of the time with occasional overnight travel required. Transportation costs are covered through expense reimbursement. Hotel and food per diem available through reimbursement for overnight stays.
• Office Environment 20% of the time: This position will work remotely to complete administrative tasks when reporting to headquarters is not efficient.
• Construction Setting as needed: Job Site terrain and outdoor work with exposure to weather fluctuations in addition to construction site hazards.

THE ABOVE STATEMENTS ARE INTENDED TO DESCRIBE THE GENERAL NATURE AND LEVEL OF WORK PERFORMED BY INDIVIDUALS ASSIGNED TO THIS POSITION. THEY ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF ALL RESPONSIBILITIES, DUTIES AND REQUIREMENTS.

Benefit Offerings

Harvest Solar employees are eligible for the following benefits programs:

Immediately After Hire

• Nine Paid Holidays per Year. Including: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve.
• Paid Vacation: Vacation time is accrued each week at a rate of 1.5384 to achieve 80 hours in the calendar year. Unused vacation can be paid out and/or up to 40 unused hours can be rolled over at year end.

The First of the Month after the Date of Hire:

• Health Insurance. The premiums are a shared expense with 80% covered by Harvest Solar and 20% covered by the associate via a weekly payroll deduction. Premiums are based on level of coverage, i.e., Associate only, Associate & Spouse, Associate & Child(ren), Family).
  • Option 1: UnitedHealthcare, Choice Plus HSA 2000 Plan
    • Members can seek care from in-network and out-of-network providers.
    • Preventive care covered 100% when received in-network.
    • Tier 1 Providers provide members the greatest value.
    • HSA compatible health plan. An HSA is a tax-deductible savings account used in conjunction with the health plan. Contribution limits are determined by the IRS. Harvest Solar will make the following weekly deposit into your HSA account based on the coverage options: Associate: $10.64; Associate & Spouse: $27.25; Associate & Child(ren): $21.65; Family: $37.55
  • Option 2: UnitedHealthcare, Choice Plus 500 Plan
    • Members can seek care from in-network and out-of-network providers.
    • Preventive care covered 100% when received in-network.
    • Tier 1 Providers provide members the greatest value.
    • Not an HSA compatible health plan).
• Dental Insurance The premiums are a shared expense with 80% covered by Harvest Solar and 20% covered by the associate via a weekly payroll deduction. Premiums are based on level of coverage, i.e., Associate only, Associate & Spouse, Associate & Child(ren), Family).
• Vision Insurance: The premiums are a shared expense with 80% covered by Harvest Solar and 20% covered by the associate via a weekly payroll deduction. Premiums are based on level of coverage, i.e., Associate only, Associate & Spouse, Associate & Child(ren), Family).
• Group Life Insurance: $50,000.00 of group life insurance, with and Accident Death clause. Premiums are covered by Harvest Solar
• Group Short Term Disability: 60% of your earnings, with a $1,000.00 weekly maximum, are available for injury or illness after a seven-day waiting period. Premiums are covered by Harvest Solar.
• Voluntary Supplemental Programs: Accident, Critical illness, and Hospital Indemnity are available at the associate’s expense. Plans are organized through Allstate and premiums are paid through payroll deduction.

At 90 Days of Employment:

• Paid Time Off (PTO): 40 Hours are available each year on January 1. PTO Is available to assist you in managing your time off work for personal appointments. PTO does not rollover, nor is it paid out at the end of the year, unused PTO is forfeited. In the first year of employment available hours are prorated based on your date of hire.

The First of the Month After 90-Days of Employment:

• Harvest Solar 401k Plan: Associates are auto enrolled at a 3% deferral rate. The plan is administered by Vestwell. Auto enrolled contribution is invested in a “Retire-On-Time” plan. Once enrolled, the associate may make changes that include:
  • Increasing the Deferral Rate to the Applicable IRS Limits: A company match is available. When the associate defers 3%, Harvest Solar matches 3%. When the associate defers 4%, the Harvest Solar the first 3.5%. When the associate defers 5%, Harvest Solar matches the first 4%.
  • Changing the Account Type: Both a pre-tax and Roth account is available.
  • Changing the Investment Type: The plan offers standard plans to address risk or age of retirement, or the associate can customize their own investment.