Workforce Profiles look at the people behind Workforce WindsorEssex’s 120+ In-Demand Jobs. Each week, we talk to a different professional for an inside look into their work.
Electrozad Supply is the largest independently owned electrical wholesale distributor in Southwestern Ontario. They offer a full range of electrical and electrical-related products from premier manufacturers in Canada and the United States. One of the “accessories to success” for their large scale sales is Grid Minga, an account representative with Electrozad. He helps to facilitate the sales for products “as small as a lug or nut, or as big products as PLCs (programmable logic controllers) drives, servos, and motions.”
This role is one of the most in-demand in Windsor-Essex, requiring technical understanding, relationship building and follow through. You can see more of our list of in-demand jobs HERE.
We met with Grid at Electrozad Supply and spoke to him about his experience:
What do you do here?
I work as an Account Manager for Electrozad which is a sales focused role that is in charge of growing accounts and maintaining existing customers. Essentially, the main goal is to make people happy while servicing their business, finding solutions to their problems, delivering new ideas to incorporate into their designs, and promoting success to their business while keeping their focus on your company.
What does your day-to-day look like?
It’s unique. Essentially, you cycle through your early morning email rush and prioritize items that are imperative for the customer, while delegating other concerns throughout your team. After completing this correspondence, the job often takes you on the road to visit the customer. You get involved by walking through their plant, sitting in offices, and being part of their day to day. The unique thing about this job is that you’re rarely doing the same thing twice, and that’s one of the reasons I pursued this field.
How did you get into this role?
I attended the University of Windsor and took a double major in Criminology & Sociology in order to pursue a career in law enforcement. After graduating, I had a change of heart and felt that it wasn’t the right choice for me anymore. I had previous experience in sales by having worked in a restaurant, a big box electronic store, and even in the automotive industry at one point. Electrozad had a job posting for a sales position, and a close friend forwarded the posting and strongly recommended the company. I interviewed and landed the job. Fast forward a year and a half and here we are.
Do you get to keep learning in this job?
The learning, fortunately, is never ending. You will always continue to learn due to the industry’s focus on doing more with less. There are a lot of courses where you are sent away for days in order to learn electrical components, industrial standards, and other information that may be necessary. The learning is something that never stops here.
What is the best part of your job? What is the most challenging?
My favorite part about the job is dealing with customers on a day to day basis. It makes my career entertaining and exciting because no two days are ever the same. It’s an exciting moment to see a customer land a really big project, and to see the final outcome when it’s complete. You had a little bit to do with that product. You are part of something bigger. What can be most challenging is the time management aspect. The job has a lot of demanding situations. You have to ensure that sure you handle things accordingly, and when time permits, provide assistance to those who need it.
What advice would you have to someone starting out?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. I think it is important nowadays more than ever with the generation gap in the industry to take the opportunity to always ask questions. This is an ageing industry and the best thing I can do as a young adult is to acquire as much knowledge from the rest of the guys who have 20 to 30 years tenure here. Utilize your management, ask them questions, ask for assistance. Also, don’t lock yourself into one linear path, be open to change. Understand that you may have a plan for yourself, but life has a way of working itself out. Explore them and see how those opportunities can grow and flourish.
