Howies Hockey
Business Development & Customer Service
Howies Hockey, Caledonia, Michigan, United States, 49316
Title
Business Development & Customer Service Representative
Reports to
Business Development & HR Director - Cameron Orchard
General Information Location : On Site - 6658 East Paris Ave, Caledonia MI 49316
Schedule : Monday through Friday (Full-Time)
Hours : 8 AM - 5 PM EST
Company Information – Who We Are Howies Hockey is a locally owned, fast‑growing business headquartered in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area since 2002, with a secondary distribution facility in Burlington, Ontario (just outside Toronto). We specialize in high‑quality hockey tape, accessories, apparel, and performance products. Today, Howies works with every team in the NHL and AHL, along with nearly every junior and collegiate program across North America.
In 2015, we launched our sister company,
Howies Athletics , expanding beyond hockey into all sports. Through this growth, we now supply sports medicine and performance products to MLB, NFL, MLS, and NBA teams, top Division I football programs (including the University of Michigan, Alabama, and Michigan State), and thousands of high schools nationwide. If an athlete needs tape or sports medicine products, our goal is to be their first call—and to earn lifelong loyalty to the Howies brand.
Across both brands, we pride ourselves on delivering world‑class products to pro shops, retailers, teams at every level, and international distributors. We are also rapidly growing our direct‑to‑consumer business through our website and Amazon. Our team‑oriented culture, industry‑leading customer service, and fast, accurate order fulfillment set Howies apart.
Position Information “One Thing”:
Take exceptional care of customers and prospective customers—strengthening the Howies brand and creating lifelong relationships.
Here at Howies, customer service is a priority, and this position serves as a direct connection between our team and the customers we serve every day. From helping out a hockey parent with a sweatshirt exchange to assisting an NHL equipment manager with an urgent order update, this position is critical to delivering a best‑in‑class customer experience. If you’re looking to work in sports with an internationally recognized brand in a fast‑paced, culture‑driven environment, this role offers the opportunity to grow and make a meaningful impact.
Customer Service – Online, Wholesale, & Retail
Answer incoming phone calls with a professional, positive attitude
Assist customers with order placement, exchanges, returns, product questions, shipping inquiries, and general information about the brand
Monitor and thoroughly respond to emails sent to our general email inboxes:
howie@howieshockeytape.com
howie@howiesathletictape.com
Build and maintain strong relationships with all wholesale customers by learning about their businesses, getting to know them personally, and providing personalized support
Collaborate with the sales team to support order entry, distribute wholesale accounts, ensure product fulfillment, and coordinate tracking on shipments
Leverage product knowledge, order history, and marketing initiatives to recommend and upsell relevant products to wholesale accounts when appropriate
Ensure all customer and order data is accurate and well‑organized within internal systems, and keep assigned sales representatives informed of account activity and opportunities
Assist walk‑in customers by leading facility tours, supporting booked team events, and creating a memorable on‑site experience
Identify and pursue new business opportunities with both prospective and existing customers
Skills & Core Competencies
Strong understanding of the Howies product catalog, including pricing, case quantities, specifications, and end‑user benefits
Working knowledge of shipping processes, including box sizes, weights, courier coordination, and shipping estimators
Proficiency with ERP/CRM systems (SalesPad) for
Creating orders, quotes, and invoices
Managing accurate inventory adjustments
Processing online and wholesale returns / exchanges
Accepting credit card information and processing payments
Advancing orders through fulfillment and logging upsell opportunities
Ability to track inventory, manage backorders, and support new product launches as inventory becomes available
Experience using ShipStation and related shipping tools to process online orders and generate cost‑effective shipping labels
Attention to detail when verifying pricing across multiple customer price levels
Strong time management skills to support same‑day shipping whenever possible
Clear and consistent communication with sales representatives regarding fulfillment issues or customer needs
Ability to serve as a collaborative bridge between the warehouse, sales team, and customers
General Responsibilities
Representing Howies Hockey & Athletics at tournaments, events, and tradeshows
Assisting with order fulfillment, including picking, packing, and shipping
Collaborating with management and marketing on new materials and campaigns
Supporting sales initiatives and brainstorming new growth opportunities
Assisting the marketing team with social media and content creation
Engaging daily and maintaining strong, positive working relationships across all departments
Contributing wherever needed to help Howies remain a best‑in‑class organization
Required Qualifications
Strong written and verbal communication skills with outgoing personality
Customer‑first mindset with proven ability to solve problems efficiently
Extremely organized with strong attention to detail
Ability to multitask effectively in a fast‑paced environment
Must be comfortable working cross‑functionally with multiple departments
Proficiency with computers and software like Gmail, Zoom, and Excel
Willingness to wear multiple hats and learn new skills when needed
Preferred Experiences
Previous work in customer service, sales support, or business development
Experience with retail, ecommerce, or wholesale distribution environments
Familiarity with ERP, CRM, or data management software systems
Exposure to shipping and distribution platforms like ShipStation
Knowledge of hockey, athletics, or sports medicine (or strong willingness to learn)
Background of working with B2B and B2C customers, teams, or dealers
Our Company Mantra At Howies, we truly believe in " Work Hard, Play Hard ". When we’re not taking care of customers, we’re enjoying time together as a team. That might mean heading to the driving range on a sunny afternoon, playing pickup basketball, throwing a baseball around, throwing a cornhole tournament, or grilling out as a company.
In the winter, you’ll find us watching Red Wings games in the break room—or heading downtown to catch the Griffins game at the Van. We work hard, support one another, and strive to create an office environment people are excited to show up to every day.
If you’re looking for a place where performance, teamwork, and fun all matter, Howies is the place to be.
APPLY NOW
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Business Development & Customer Service Representative
Reports to
Business Development & HR Director - Cameron Orchard
General Information Location : On Site - 6658 East Paris Ave, Caledonia MI 49316
Schedule : Monday through Friday (Full-Time)
Hours : 8 AM - 5 PM EST
Company Information – Who We Are Howies Hockey is a locally owned, fast‑growing business headquartered in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area since 2002, with a secondary distribution facility in Burlington, Ontario (just outside Toronto). We specialize in high‑quality hockey tape, accessories, apparel, and performance products. Today, Howies works with every team in the NHL and AHL, along with nearly every junior and collegiate program across North America.
In 2015, we launched our sister company,
Howies Athletics , expanding beyond hockey into all sports. Through this growth, we now supply sports medicine and performance products to MLB, NFL, MLS, and NBA teams, top Division I football programs (including the University of Michigan, Alabama, and Michigan State), and thousands of high schools nationwide. If an athlete needs tape or sports medicine products, our goal is to be their first call—and to earn lifelong loyalty to the Howies brand.
Across both brands, we pride ourselves on delivering world‑class products to pro shops, retailers, teams at every level, and international distributors. We are also rapidly growing our direct‑to‑consumer business through our website and Amazon. Our team‑oriented culture, industry‑leading customer service, and fast, accurate order fulfillment set Howies apart.
Position Information “One Thing”:
Take exceptional care of customers and prospective customers—strengthening the Howies brand and creating lifelong relationships.
Here at Howies, customer service is a priority, and this position serves as a direct connection between our team and the customers we serve every day. From helping out a hockey parent with a sweatshirt exchange to assisting an NHL equipment manager with an urgent order update, this position is critical to delivering a best‑in‑class customer experience. If you’re looking to work in sports with an internationally recognized brand in a fast‑paced, culture‑driven environment, this role offers the opportunity to grow and make a meaningful impact.
Customer Service – Online, Wholesale, & Retail
Answer incoming phone calls with a professional, positive attitude
Assist customers with order placement, exchanges, returns, product questions, shipping inquiries, and general information about the brand
Monitor and thoroughly respond to emails sent to our general email inboxes:
howie@howieshockeytape.com
howie@howiesathletictape.com
Build and maintain strong relationships with all wholesale customers by learning about their businesses, getting to know them personally, and providing personalized support
Collaborate with the sales team to support order entry, distribute wholesale accounts, ensure product fulfillment, and coordinate tracking on shipments
Leverage product knowledge, order history, and marketing initiatives to recommend and upsell relevant products to wholesale accounts when appropriate
Ensure all customer and order data is accurate and well‑organized within internal systems, and keep assigned sales representatives informed of account activity and opportunities
Assist walk‑in customers by leading facility tours, supporting booked team events, and creating a memorable on‑site experience
Identify and pursue new business opportunities with both prospective and existing customers
Skills & Core Competencies
Strong understanding of the Howies product catalog, including pricing, case quantities, specifications, and end‑user benefits
Working knowledge of shipping processes, including box sizes, weights, courier coordination, and shipping estimators
Proficiency with ERP/CRM systems (SalesPad) for
Creating orders, quotes, and invoices
Managing accurate inventory adjustments
Processing online and wholesale returns / exchanges
Accepting credit card information and processing payments
Advancing orders through fulfillment and logging upsell opportunities
Ability to track inventory, manage backorders, and support new product launches as inventory becomes available
Experience using ShipStation and related shipping tools to process online orders and generate cost‑effective shipping labels
Attention to detail when verifying pricing across multiple customer price levels
Strong time management skills to support same‑day shipping whenever possible
Clear and consistent communication with sales representatives regarding fulfillment issues or customer needs
Ability to serve as a collaborative bridge between the warehouse, sales team, and customers
General Responsibilities
Representing Howies Hockey & Athletics at tournaments, events, and tradeshows
Assisting with order fulfillment, including picking, packing, and shipping
Collaborating with management and marketing on new materials and campaigns
Supporting sales initiatives and brainstorming new growth opportunities
Assisting the marketing team with social media and content creation
Engaging daily and maintaining strong, positive working relationships across all departments
Contributing wherever needed to help Howies remain a best‑in‑class organization
Required Qualifications
Strong written and verbal communication skills with outgoing personality
Customer‑first mindset with proven ability to solve problems efficiently
Extremely organized with strong attention to detail
Ability to multitask effectively in a fast‑paced environment
Must be comfortable working cross‑functionally with multiple departments
Proficiency with computers and software like Gmail, Zoom, and Excel
Willingness to wear multiple hats and learn new skills when needed
Preferred Experiences
Previous work in customer service, sales support, or business development
Experience with retail, ecommerce, or wholesale distribution environments
Familiarity with ERP, CRM, or data management software systems
Exposure to shipping and distribution platforms like ShipStation
Knowledge of hockey, athletics, or sports medicine (or strong willingness to learn)
Background of working with B2B and B2C customers, teams, or dealers
Our Company Mantra At Howies, we truly believe in " Work Hard, Play Hard ". When we’re not taking care of customers, we’re enjoying time together as a team. That might mean heading to the driving range on a sunny afternoon, playing pickup basketball, throwing a baseball around, throwing a cornhole tournament, or grilling out as a company.
In the winter, you’ll find us watching Red Wings games in the break room—or heading downtown to catch the Griffins game at the Van. We work hard, support one another, and strive to create an office environment people are excited to show up to every day.
If you’re looking for a place where performance, teamwork, and fun all matter, Howies is the place to be.
APPLY NOW
#J-18808-Ljbffr