Solution Consultant (Pre-Sales) EMEA (H/F)

As a Solution Consultant (Pre-Sales) at Ivalua, your primary responsibilities include collaborating with sales teams to support the pre-sales process. This involves conducting product demonstrations, answering RFI/RFP queries, and guiding potential clients through their purchasing journey. You will leverage your expertise in our SaaS platform and procurement processes to engage with clients effectively, translate their needs, and ensure they receive tailored solutions that address their specific business challenges.

To qualify for the Solution Consultant (Pre-Sales) position at Ivalua, candidates are expected to have a Master's degree in engineering or business. Additionally, a minimum of four years of experience in a Pre-sales or Tech-sales role within a complex software environment is essential. Candidates should possess in-depth knowledge of procurement-related processes and technologies, alongside strong communication skills in French and English, with Arabic being a bonus.

The Solution Consultant (Pre-Sales) plays a pivotal role in Ivalua's sales success by acting as the technical expert during the sales process. By understanding client challenges, presenting effective demos, and crafting insightful responses to inquiries, you directly influence the prospect's decision-making process. Moreover, your collaboration with sales leads ensures that client expectations are met or exceeded, fostering strong relationships and encouraging repeat business.

A typical day for a Solution Consultant (Pre-Sales) at Ivalua includes attending sales meetings, preparing for product demonstrations, and engaging with potential clients to discuss their procurement needs. You will also spend time collaborating with internal teams to refine product offerings based on market feedback, monitoring the roadmap for product developments, and engaging in ongoing training to stay updated on the latest features of the Ivalua platform, ensuring you can provide the best possible solutions.

At Ivalua, Solution Consultants (Pre-Sales) can expect a dynamic and inclusive company culture that values diversity and promotes continuous learning. The team's collaborative spirit is backed by a supportive atmosphere where innovation flourishes, and everyone's contributions are valued. Regular team-building activities, training, and a hybrid work model further enhance the work experience, making it a fulfilling place to grow your career.

In responding to this question, highlight your familiarity with various SaaS solutions, particularly in procurement. Discuss specific instances where you utilized your expertise to assist clients in identifying their needs and how you applied that knowledge to demonstrate the value of the product effectively, thus showcasing your alignment with the Solution Consultant (Pre-Sales) role.

When answering, describe your typical process for preparing and delivering product demonstrations. Include details like understanding the client's specific needs, tailoring the demo to focus on relevant features, and ensuring to engage the audience by encouraging questions throughout. This will demonstrate your thoroughness and adaptability in the Solution Consultant role.

Discuss your approach to relationship building, such as active listening, personalized conversations, and follow-ups. Emphasize the importance of understanding client challenges to establish trust and demonstrate your capability as a Solution Consultant (Pre-Sales) in addressing their needs effectively.

Mention critical skills like excellent communication, in-depth product knowledge, ability to understand and analyze client needs, and strong technical aptitude. Provide examples of how you've applied these skills in prior experiences, showcasing your suitability for the position at Ivalua.

Explain your methods for keeping abreast of industry trends, such as following relevant publications, attending conferences, or participating in webinars. This displays not only your proactive approach but also your commitment to continual growth as a Solution Consultant at Ivalua.

Provide a specific example that outlines a challenge you encountered and the steps you took to overcome it. Focus on your problem-solving skills, collaborative approach, and how the resolution benefited both the client and your team, showcasing the value you bring as a Solution Consultant.

Discuss your preparation strategy, including researching the client’s background, understanding their business challenges, and anticipating potential questions they may have. This illustrates your thoroughness and commitment to excellence as a Solution Consultant in embodying a client-centric approach.

Explain your approach to objection handling, such as actively listening, empathizing, clarifying their concerns, and providing demonstrations or testimonials that address those objections. By highlighting your negotiation skills, you enhance your candidacy for the Solution Consultant (Pre-Sales) role.

Share your experiences collaborating with various teams such as sales, marketing, and product development to address client needs effectively. Discuss how cross-functional teamwork adds value to your role as a Solution Consultant, highlighting your adaptability and communication skills.

Articulate your genuine interest in Ivalua's mission and how the role aligns with your career goals. Emphasize the company's innovative approach to procurement solutions and the opportunity to contribute to a significant industry transformation, showcasing your enthusiasm for the position.