Client Relations Specialist - BDCS

Department: LSD Agriculture and Food Laboratory
Position covered by the Collective Agreement with USW Local 4120

If you are a current employee of the University of Guelph you must apply on the internal Career Page in order to be considered as an internal applicant. 
Career Opportunities (sapsf.com)

General Purpose

The Business Development & Sales team is responsible for maintaining, growing, and driving the revenue base of Laboratory Services, with a focus on the Agriculture & Food Laboratory (AFL).  The team makes daily decisions on what services to offer our current and new clients and takes the steps necessary, both internally and externally, to ensure we successfully secure external revenues.

Duties and Responsibilities

As a “first contact” position for the AFL, this position is one of the “faces” of the organization, and their client interactions has a direct bearing on the perception of the laboratory. As a representative the AFL, the successful applicant will possess unwavering commitment to client service and demonstrate a positive, dynamic, outgoing approach in interactions with clients, co-workers and laboratory representatives.

Additional duties include: problem solving and providing appropriate solutions to clients concerns and complaints; tracking and follow-up of outstanding inquiries; documenting FAQ’s to aid in assisting clients; updating and maintaining databases for costing, pricing, quotations, client and template information to ensure accuracy; monitoring external electronic bid bulletin boards and retrieving relevant opportunities; assisting with preparation of competitive bid responses; monitoring/recommending operational improvements; preparing external client communications; conducting market research; and, organizing client education seminars; providing support for marketing events and enquiries ensuring all insurance, equipment and materials are ordered; liaising with external marketing companies to assist in preparation of marketing materials while meeting the University and Lab Services requirements; and ascertaining the laboratory testing needs of clients and making relevant recommendations; and other duties as assigned.

The incumbent will be fully trained at Sample Reception to step in during times of unplanned staffing absences, vacations, or peak volumes and will need to be proficient at logging in samples efficiently and accurately into our computer system.

Requirements

• Two year Community College graduation from a relevant program plus one to two years of related experience in a client-centred setting, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• Demonstrated experience working effectively in a high-pressure, time-sensitive work environment;
• Sound judgement and appreciation of confidentiality
• Computer proficiency (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Publisher, CorelDraw, Photo Shop, Dream Weaver, html,  Acrobat, etc.) and working knowledge of laboratory workflow, SOP’s and business computer systems including Sapphire, LIMS, OMNI, and Sage
• Excellent teamwork capabilities, combined with excellent interpersonal and communication skills to effectively relay/gather information, monitor projects, and enforce deadlines
• Strong background in agriculture and food diagnostics on a practical level.

Must be or willing to be Rabies vaccinated.

Hours of work: 35 hours/week, Monday-Friday and/or Tuesday-Saturday, and must be flexible to work extended hours when required.

Employee Type: Regular 
Position Number: 10484021 
Classification: USW, Local 4120 Salary: Band 5  
USW Local 4120 Wage Grid

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

Posting Date: 07/16/2025  
Closing Date: 07/23/2025