USFS Member - Adult Figure Skating Bronze Medalist
Traveling!
Outdoor Activities- Fishing and Hiking
Katelyn Watson
Jersey City
Summary
Results-driven professional with extensive experience in sales and client engagement within the optics industry. Skilled in analytical problem-solving and motivational training, fostering long-lasting client relationships that enhance customer loyalty and drive repeat business.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
US Sales Manager Optics
Heraeus Quarzglas
Buford, GA
08.2022 - Current
- Led sales team in achieving quarterly targets through strategic planning and execution.
- Analyzed market trends to identify growth opportunities and adjust sales strategies accordingly.
- Developed training programs for new sales representatives, enhancing product knowledge and customer engagement skills.
- Fostered strong relationships with key clients, resulting in increased customer loyalty and repeat business.
- Collaborated with marketing department to align promotional campaigns with sales objectives, driving revenue growth.
- Implemented CRM system improvements, streamlining sales processes and improving data accuracy for reporting.
- Conducted performance reviews for team members, providing constructive feedback to enhance individual contributions.
- Handled customer relations issues, enabling quick resolution, and client satisfaction.
- Increased sales revenue by developing and implementing effective sales strategies.
- Built long-lasting client relationships through excellent customer service and consistent followups.
- Drove continuous improvement initiatives within the sales process to increase efficiency and effectiveness across the team.
- Managed key accounts with strategic planning and relationship building, resulting in increased customer loyalty and repeat business.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors and suppliers, ensuring the best pricing and terms for company profitability.
- Attended industry events and conventions to explain sales opportunities.
- Conducted comprehensive market research to identify new opportunities and trends.
- Built relationships with customers and community to establish long-term business growth.
- Developed compelling presentation decks to gain approval for ideas and communicate results.
Inside Sales Engineer II
Hamamatsu Photonics
Bridgewater, NJ
01.2021 - 08.2022
- Developed tailored solutions to meet customer requirements in photonics applications.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to streamline sales processes and enhance product knowledge.
- Conducted technical presentations and demonstrations for prospective clients, highlighting product features and benefits.
- Analyzed market trends to identify new opportunities for growth within the photonics sector.
- Led training sessions for junior sales staff on product specifications and effective selling techniques.
- Provided ongoing support to customers post-sale, ensuring satisfaction and fostering long-term relationships.
- Played a vital role in fostering a positive work environment that promoted teamwork, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Managed a diverse portfolio of accounts while maintaining a high level of organization and attention to detail.
- Assisted customers in troubleshooting product issues and provided timely technical support.
- Utilized creative problem-solving skills to overcome technical challenges in the sales process.
Applications Engineer
Thorlabs
Newton, NJ
09.2019 - 01.2021
- Developed and implemented solutions for optical systems, enhancing product functionality and user experience.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to troubleshoot application issues, improving response time and customer satisfaction.
- Conducted technical training sessions for staff on application features and best practices, increasing overall team competency.
- Mentored junior engineers in troubleshooting techniques and application development methodologies, fostering professional growth within the team.
- Assisted sales teams with pre-sales technical support, helping close deals with prospective clients effectively.
- Provided exceptional customer support, addressing client concerns and providing timely resolutions to technical issues.
- Developed custom optical solutions for clients, improving overall satisfaction to meet project objectives.
- Exposure to broad range of industry applications due to the breadth of the Thorlabs Catalog
- Interfaced with optical manufacturing colleagues to understand and address feasibility
Adjunct Professor - Optical Sciences
Sussex County Community College
Newton, NJ
09.2020 - 12.2020
- This was a program I was referred to teach while working at and through Thorlabs
- Developed and implemented engaging course materials that enhanced student learning experiences.
- Facilitated interactive discussions, promoting critical thinking and active participation among students.
- Assessed student performance through detailed evaluations, providing constructive feedback for improvement.
- Collaborated with faculty to align curriculum with academic standards and institutional goals.
- Purpose was to teach and convey optical specifications and how they translate to optical system performance
- Students were future optical technicians
Physics Research Assistant
Arkansas State University
Jonesboro, AR
08.2017 - 09.2019
- Conducted literature reviews to support research initiatives and enhance project understanding.
- Assisted in data collection and analysis using statistical software to ensure accuracy of results.
- Developed presentations summarizing research findings for faculty meetings and academic conferences.
- Collaborated with faculty on grant proposals, contributing to project design and methodology sections.
- Conducted literature reviews to support hypothesis development and identify gaps in existing knowledge.
- The research was to propose a novel way to determine the coherence of a pulsed laser without a reference laser.
- Laser alignment, Hamamatsu Streak Camera, and Mathematica were used to conduct the research
Education
Bachelor of Science - B. S. Physics
Arkansas State University
Jonesboro, AR05-2019
Skills
- Motivational skills
- Product knowledge
- Sales expertise
- Sales presentations
- Client relationship management
- Account management
- Rapport and relationship building
- New business development
- Analytical problem solver
- Lead generation
- Order management
- CRM software
- Territory management
- Vendor management
- Consultative sales
- Key account management
- Pipeline management
Affiliations
APOMA Member
Interests
Timeline
US Sales Manager Optics
Heraeus Quarzglas
08.2022 - Current
Inside Sales Engineer II
Hamamatsu Photonics
01.2021 - 08.2022
Adjunct Professor - Optical Sciences
Sussex County Community College
09.2020 - 12.2020
Applications Engineer
Thorlabs
09.2019 - 01.2021
Physics Research Assistant
Arkansas State University
08.2017 - 09.2019
Bachelor of Science - B. S. Physics
Arkansas State University