Meet… Jacob White! Jacob is a Sales Support Specialist with Standard Electric. He works out of our Champaign, IL location. Get to know Jacob!
Could you share a brief introduction about yourself, including your role at Standard Electric and how long you’ve been with us?
I am a Sales Support Specialist based out of our Champaign, IL location. I started with Standard Electric in January of 2022, so I am two and a half years in so far.
What inspired you to pursue a career in your field, and how did your journey lead you to Standard Electric?
In my past, I was in retail management, which I liked but the demanding hours, mostly nights and weekends, weren’t cohesive with the family life I was looking to start. I joined Standard Electric looking for a new start in a career where I could use the sales, customer service, and people skills I had acquired. I love working with people and solving problems, and this role provides opportunity for both. Every day is different and that keeps things interesting. I have learned a lot about the electrical industry, automation, and the distribution level of business.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I spend most of my days writing quotes, crossing products, and processing orders. My role is customer service/inside sales, so really making sure that our customers are taken care of and happy with their experience is the bulk of my focus. I also spend time tracking open customer orders, ensuring material is delivered on time and customers are notified of any delays there may be in delivery. Aside from that I am also on our Returns and Repairs Teams, where I help in acquiring Supplier RMAs for returns, and supplier quotes for repairs.
What do you love most about your job at Standard Electric? Is there a particular project or achievement that you’re especially proud of?
Quoting and then processing those high-dollar orders is always fun, but what really engages me is the opportunity to make someone’s day a little better. Whether internally or with a customer, what really drives me is receiving a raving email or hearing the excitement or joy over the phone, after my hard work has paid off. Whether it is finding parts for a down customer, making a tight delivery window possible with creative thinking, or simply making a customer laugh, having the opportunity to bring some positive energy into people’s lives every day is really what keeps me passionate and is what I love most about my job.
How would you describe the culture at Standard Electric? What makes it unique or special to you?
I haven’t had, or have heard of, a more caring and family-oriented company than Standard Electric. I stated previously that one of the reasons I left my old job was to have more family time, as my wife and I were starting a family. I really couldn’t have gotten luckier with were I ended up. Standard Electric really makes it a point to make everyone feel cared about, feel like part of the family (being the family-owned company it is) and empowers their employees to have a well-balanced work-home life. I think because of this, the overall culture at Standard Electric is very friendly, supportive, and helpful. We have a culture committee, which I am part of, that ensures all of our branches, spread across several states, all feel like one cohesive team.
Working with a team often brings diverse perspectives. Can you share an example of how teamwork has led to success in a project or initiative at Standard Electric?
Just recently I (in Champaign, IL) worked with our warehouse team in Milwaukee, WI late on a Thursday afternoon to send a driver to pick up product from a local supplier that had just become available. I had been working for two weeks with the supplier to expedite this product; as soon as I heard it was in, I contacted the Milwaukee warehouse and worked with them to coordinate the pick-up of this material and the immediate shipment of this material, so it could be delivered the next day to our customer. This all worked out smoothly, thanks to the great teamwork we have, and our customer was very happy as they were able to meet their deadline.
Moving beyond work, what do you like to do in your free time? Any hobbies or passions you’re willing to share?
I have a two-year-old daughter; being a dad is my biggest passion. Watching her grow and developing our bond is my greatest happiness. Whether it’s playing with her toys, running around outside or simply laying on the couch together watching Bluey, I really can’t think of anything else I’d rather be doing at this point in my life. After we lay her down for bed, I like playing video games with the boys, watching horror movies with the wife, or watching a podcast on YouTube.
Do you have any skills or talents that most people at work might not know about? How do these contribute to your personal or professional life?
I spent a lot of my youth in the Boy Scouts and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout; this has helped me in a lot of ways in my personal and professional life, from leadership to problem-solving, and beyond. Overall, I am a “jack of all trades, master of none” type of guy; I like learning a little bit about a lot of different things.
As you look to the future with Standard Electric, what are you most excited about or looking forward to in your role or the company’s direction?
I am very happy and grateful to have found my place at Standard Electric. I have learned a lot about the industry, distribution, and products. I am excited to continue my growth within Standard Electric, into new roles and positions, gaining new responsibility and experience, all while being part of this great family-oriented company.