Sales Associate

At Greenbrier, we do the hard work that matters. The Greenbrier Companies (NYSE:GBX) is powering the movement of products around the world as a leading designer, manufacturer and supplier of freight rail transportation equipment and services.

Greenbrier’s heritage of hard work and industrial innovation is celebrated at every level of our organization. We structure our business to support teams that deliver innovative solutions for our customers while positively impacting the world around us.

Greenbrier’s success begins with people. We believe in supporting our global workforce through our unwavering attention to Safety, Quality, Respect for People and Customer Satisfaction. Our IDEAL commitment is rooted in these values, which promotes Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access, and Leadership, creating a culture where employees are fulfilled and feel good about coming to work every day. A diverse, qualified, and engaged talent base is the key to our success.

Summary

The Sales Associate plays a critical role in supporting functional sales for wheels, parts, and repair services across the United States. This individual will be instrumental in developing, establishing, and maintaining key account relationships; expanding customer coverage in the assigned territory; and enhancing the commercial team’s ability to identify and secure new business opportunities. The position demands a strategic and solutions-oriented professional who can drive growth while ensuring long-term client satisfaction.

Duties and Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform the following essential duties. Other duties may be assigned to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Develop and execute a comprehensive strategic sales plan for delivering GRS Repairs’ portfolio of products and services to targeted customers within the rail industry, meeting defined targets for revenue, market share, customer satisfaction, and other key performance indicators.
• Proactively utilize company sales management tools to ensure accurate reporting, pipeline monitoring, and consistent sales development efforts.
• Lead new account acquisition by contacting senior-level executives and promoting Greenbrier’s equipment and services; focus on securing new accounts with an emphasis on long-term client engagement.
• Maintain and strengthen existing customer relationships, ensuring sustained commercial partnerships while resolving conflicts and addressing evolving customer needs and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with internal departments—including warranty, manufacturing, leasing, repair & services, asset management, pricing, contracts, and marketing—to deliver competitively priced, comprehensive solutions that support long-term organizational success.
• Implement actionable sales strategies including accurate forecasting, account mapping, and opportunity identification.
• Efficiently qualify prospects using a structured selling methodology, targeting both current and prospective clients.
• Cultivate strong relationships with industry partners, service providers, internal stakeholders (GRS Parts & Wheels), and external suppliers; stay informed on industry-specific requirements, technical specifications, regulatory standards, competitor offerings, and pricing strategies.

Qualifications

The following generally describes the requirements to perform the assigned duties successfully.

Minimum Qualifications

• Proven ability as a solutions-oriented problem solver, with a strong curiosity about customer operations, fleet characteristics, supply chain logistics, and a talent for creating timely, strategic solutions aligned with Greenbrier’s business goals.
• Strong analytical skills and business/customer service acumen.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively for client engagements and internal company functions.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills are essential, including the ability to confidently present to both internal stakeholders and external clients.
• Ability to balance a hands-on, detail-oriented approach with effective delegation when appropriate.
• Skilled in negotiation and focused on fostering long-term, mutually beneficial client relationships.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; however, equivalent work experience in a comparable role will be considered in lieu of formal education.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here represent those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform basic functions.

• This is a remote position located in Chicago, Illinois, a client-facing role requiring independence, self-direction, and resourcefulness.
• Must be comfortable working in a less-structured, entrepreneurial environment, capable of adapting to changing priorities.
• The individual must be self-motivated and results-driven with a high level of accountability and professionalism.

Physical Activities and Requirements 

Frequency Key

Not Applicable: Activity does not apply to this occupation

Occasionally: Occupation requires this activity up to 33% of the time (0- 2.5+ hours/day)

Frequently: Occupation requires this activity from 33% - 66% of the time (2.5- 5.5+ hours/day)

Constantly: Occupation requires this activity more than 66% of the time (5.5+ hours/day)

Working Postures

• Sit: Frequently
• Stand: Occasionally
• Walk: Occasionally
• Bend: Not Applicable
• Kneel/Squat: Not Applicable
• Crawl: Not Applicable
• Climb: Not Applicable
• Reach Forward: Occasionally
• Reach Upward: Not Applicable
• Handling/Fingering: Frequently

Lift / Carry Requirements

• 5-10 lbs: Occasionally
• 10-25 lbs: Not Applicable
• 25-50 lbs: Not Applicable
• 50-75 lbs: Not Applicable
• 75+ lbs: Not Applicable

Push / Pull Requirements

• Up to 10 lbs: Occasionally
• 10-25 lbs: Not Applicable
• 25-50 lbs: Not Applicable
• 50-75 lbs: Not Applicable
• 75+ lbs: Not Applicable

EOE including Vet/Disability

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Greenbrier makes reasonable accommodations in the application and hiring process for individuals with known disabilities, unless providing accommodation would result in an undue hardship. Any applicant believing that he or she may need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact Greenbrier Human Resources at careers@gbrx.com or call us at 503-684-7000.
 
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Email communication from The Greenbrier Companies (Greenbrier) will always come from a corporate email address that ends in @gbrx.com or from our applicant tracking system, iCIMS, after you have created a secure account and submitted your application. During the application process, you will create a secure account in our secure applicant tracking site that ends with “-gbrx.icims.com”. In this portal, we will ask you to provide your contact information, past employment history, education history and other job-related information.