Outside Sales Representative - Paint Specialist

Job DetailsJob Location: Crafty Beaver Lawrence - Chicago, IL 60640Salary Range: $40,000.00 - $45,000.00 Base+Commission/yearJob Category: Crafty Beaver Home CentersCrafty Beaver Home Center, a Nation’s Best Holdings, LLC company, is seeking candidates for our Outside Sales Representative – Paint Specialist position supporting our three Crafty Beaver locations.   We’re focused on people and relationships first and we’re passionate about customer service and continuous improvement. Are you looking to join a company that is focused on growth? If you enjoy working hard in a fast-paced environment, then join our growing team.   Company Description Nation’s Best operates a family of 61 locally branded lumber yards, hardware stores, and home centers across 18 states, guided by a people-first philosophy. By joining a growing network of business professionals, Nation’s Best enables its partners to achieve meaningful growth in their local markets through purchasing power, capital investment, improved associate benefits, and industry best practices. The company is known for fostering strong relationships and is committed to empowering its teams and the communities they serve. Role Description Nation’s Best is seeking a full-time Outside Sales Representative (OSR) – Paint Specialist supporting Crafty Beaver Home Centers. This is a primarily field-based role, with approximately 80% of time spent in the field and 20% supporting store operations across all three locations. The OSR – Paint Specialist is responsible for driving paint and related product sales by developing and maintaining strong relationships with painting contractors, builders, commercial clients, property managers, maintenance professionals, and retail partners. This role focuses on prospecting, job site visits, account growth, and providing consultative support to customers, including product selection, coatings systems, surface preparation, latex versus oil-based decisions, finish selection, color matching, new product updates, market trends, pricing, and delivery coordination. The OSR – Paint Specialist will prepare bids and product estimates based on customer blueprints and specifications, input orders, assist with accounts receivable collections, and collaborate closely with store, paint departments, and operations teams to ensure excellent service and follow-through. Travel will include regular job site visits as well as travel between all three Crafty Beaver locations to support paint sales growth and business needs. Success in this role requires strong field presence, disciplined account management, technical expertise in paint and coatings, and consistent achievement of sales and gross profit goals. Qualifications Proven experience in outside sales, account management, or relationship-based selling Strong communication, negotiation, and presentation skills Minimum 3 years of experience in sales, preferably in paint, hardware, building materials, or related industry Proven knowledge and experience with paint products, color matching, tinting, and product identification Experience preparing estimates and bids and comfortable reading blueprints and specifications Self-motivated, organized, and effective at managing time in a field-based role Results-oriented with the ability to serve customers with humility and steward Nation’s Best’s values Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities Willingness to travel locally, including job sites and between all three store locations Must have valid driver’s license and clean Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) High school diploma required; bachelor’s degree is a plus Compensation & Benefits The OSR – Paint Specialist role is compensated through a base salary plus uncapped commission, with commission paid monthly, and includes a monthly car and phone allowance. Nation’s Best also offers ongoing training and development opportunities, medical, dental, and vision benefits, 401(k) with discretionary company match, and company-paid life insurance for eligible full-time employees. What’s It Like To Work for Nation’s Best? Teamwork: All of our positions, in all of our stores, are hands-on. We work together, whenever necessary, to ensure a positive customer experience every time, every day. Support: We have local resources and a Dallas Support Team to help you along the way and to partner on projects, as appropriate. Autonomy: We empower entrepreneurial spirit in all our associates. Relationships: We believe the core of our business is the relationships we build. Continuous Improvement: We are focused on continuous improvement, ensuring expertise and solid best practices are shared across all of our divisions and stores. Efficiencies: We maximize efficiency through best-in-class technology and consistent business practices nationwide. Growth Mindset: We are focused on long-term growth, both in our associates and the company. Atmosphere: This is not a suit-and-tie environment. We roll up our sleeves and get the job done. Community Service: Our divisions and associates are committed to serving and contributing to the communities in which we live and work. Safety: We strive to provide a work environment that is safe and healthy for all of our associates and customers. We want everyone to go home in the same condition in which they came to work that day. Qualifications