Job Opening
Auction Coordinator Job Description
Company/Market Overview:
Integrity Auctioneers is a growing auction company in central North Dakota. Based in Harvey, we serve sellers throughout central ND, and beyond. We reach bidders from around the globe. Integrity predominantly conducts online auctions, but we do live and simulcast auction events as well.
Integrity Auctioneers helps people live their best lives by efficiently connecting buyers and sellers.
We bring value to our clients and customers by:
- Being actively involved start to finish.
- Providing custom solutions for all items.
- Growing long-term relationships.
We serve sellers and bidders. We strive to listen to, understand and meet the unique needs of our sellers. We accurately showcase the quality of the items we sell. We execute the whole process with excellence and efficiency.
Integrity utilizes 3 main modes of auctions across a wide variety of assets:
- Timed Online-Only Auctions. Usually, these auctions have a soft close, so if a bid is placed on a lot in the final moments, then the time will be extended for that lot. Bidding is open for 1-2 weeks on these auctions.
- Live-Only Auctions. These are traditional live-cry auctions. Set up, call the church ladies for lunch and let’s have an auction.
- Live & Online Auctions (aka Virtual, Hybrid, or Simulcast). These auctions can have some variation but they incorporate online bidding with a live auction. Bidders can bid online prior to auction day on select items. Sometimes the online bidding will end prior to the auction. Sometimes an online bidder can bid until the auctioneer says “Sold” for that item on auction day.
Integrity conducts 5 main categories of auction events:
- Equipment Auctions: An equipment auction could be a line of farm equipment from one seller or an equipment consignment auction with multiple sellers who each typically consign 1-5 items.
- Real Estate Auctions: We sell land, residential and commercial property.
- Specialty Auctions: This usually features a specific asset type from one or more sellers. An example would be farm toys or railroad memorabilia, but it could be airplanes, classic cars or tractors.
- Transitional Liquidation Auctions: These are most often a timed online auction on the seller’s location and can involve an individual, couple or family liquidating the contents of a home or farmstead. These auctions may be prompted by significant life events such as death, divorce, downsizing or moving.
- Benefit/Fundraiser Auctions: Benefit auctions are used to raise money for a non-profit or cause. These are commonly live-only auctions held with a banquet.
Auction Coordinator Job Specific Information
The Auction Coordinator would mainly be working Transitional Liquidation and Specialty auctions. Depending on aptitude, skills and ability, the hire may assist with other categories of auctions. He/she may even be referred to other auction companies on a contract basis. Work is mainly on the road and sometimes at Integrity Auctioneers’ Harvey, ND location.
There will be a 90-day trial period for this position. Throughout that time, we will asses the success of the individual as auction event coordinator.
Wage: Depends on Experience.
Full-time position with some Saturdays.
Skills & Requirements
The auction coordinator:
- Must be at least 18 years old and have a High School Diploma or equivalent.
- Must have a mobile smartphone and possibly a laptop.
- Must have an email account (Gmail is preferred).
- Must have a valid drivers license.
- Must have experience backing up a pickup and trailer.
- Must be able to lift 50 lbs.
- Must have a basic knowledge of household items, antiques, vehicles, tools, etc. Guns, farm equipment, coins are a plus.
- Must have basic proficiency in English grammar and punctuation.
- Must have an understanding of photography.
- Must follow standard operating procedures for the job.
Expectations, Deliverables & Specific Tasks
The auction coordinator:
- Must be able to turn a messy house or shop into organized groups/items ready for cataloging
- Must take multiple pictures of every item/lot. Pictures must be clear and showcase the quality of the item.
- Must describe items/lots accurately and efficiently. Be sure to list/describe items of value in group lots. Research items when appropriate.
- Must proofread auctions: rotate pictures and make adjustments to descriptions.
- Must treat the buyers and sellers how you want to be treated especially on pickup days. Get to the location early and start grouping lots for buyers to pickup.
- Must be sure any unpaid invoices are settled prior to pickup and non-picker-uppers are contacted.
- Is expected to work whatever the weather.
- Is expected to work efficiently individually and in a team.
- Some specialty auctions will have shipping offered. This individual will help pack and ship auction items and use our shipping software.
- May have his/her phone number and email address posted to the auctions he/she has helped set up. You are expected to answer your phone when you can and return calls as soon as possible during business hours.
Skills you will gain/sharpen:
- Proficiency in utilizing technology to showcase items to a broad range of bidders.
- Interpersonal communication skills will be honed to facilitate the growth of long-term relationships with Integrity’s customers.
- Item identification and categorization for a diverse and broad range of items.
What does success in this role look like?
- Efficiently sort, clean (when applicable) and group items into lots. Minimize time. Maximize presentability of items. This is an art, not a science.
- Record information of anyone (buyer, etc.) who is a potential auction seller and forward the information to Ben.
- Reach efficiency targets for cataloging, sales and loadout.
- Communicate with Ben when you need help.
Please submit a resume, 3 work-related references and answers to the following questions to the email address provided below:
- On a scale of 1(know nothing) to 10 (I could do it all in my sleep), what is your familiarity with live auctions and online auctions. Particularly how Integrity Auctioneers does them?
- On a scale of 1 to 10, rate your organization skills and explain.
- What relevant experience do you have that qualifies you to be an auction coordinator?
- How will your skills and experience bring value to Integrity Auctioneers and our clients?
- On a scale of 1 to 10, how confident are you talking to strangers, especially strangers who owe you money? Explain.
Parties interested in applying for this position should contact Ben Stiegelmeier at ben@integrity.bid or 605-850-1330.
