Dusti Kaufmann

Dusti Kaufmann, Inside Sales Supervisor, Olympic Steel, Schaumburg, IL

Loves selling steel. Committed to Olympic Steel and our customers. Believes a positive attitude is an important part of every day.

Nineteen years ago, Dusti Kaufmann began her career at Olympic Steel in the Schaumburg, IL division. She has built her career as part of the Inside Sales department – starting as an Inside Sales Representative, then Sr. Inside Sales Representative, and in 2021, promoted to Inside Sales Supervisor. Dusti says she’s always been in inside sales because she “likes managing everything with the customer.”

Dusti is most proud of what she accomplished professionally in the seven-year span when she worked remotely for the Schaumburg division. She explains, “In 2011, I moved to Florida and Olympic Steel allowed me to do that while keeping my position as an Inside Sales Representative. I wanted to prove that it could be done [before remote work was more widely accepted], so I worked many hours over two time zones (lived in Eastern Time while working Central Time hours). I’m grateful Olympic Steel took a chance on me and proud that I was able to make it work, proving that I could support the business and my division successfully from afar.”

Dusti credits the guidance and support from two of the Schaumburg division’s General Managers over the years, Andrew Wolfort, now Vice President - Specialty Metals, and Damon Wos, current General Manager for the Schaumburg division. She says, “They taught me a lot, guided me along the way and helped me grow my career. They take the time needed to explain things and show people how to get work done.”

Getting things done is one of Dusti’s strengths. Working in Inside Sales is a demanding job and key to the success of the business. Dusti takes that seriously, saying that the Core Value she best represents is Accountability: “I hold myself accountable for everything. Making sure the job is done correctly from start to finish. And, I feel responsible for my team – working with them to make sure they have the tools they need to do their job.”

She adds that our Customer Satisfaction Core Value is also equally important to her and her team: “It’s critical to maintain great relationships with customers. As an Inside Sales Rep, you work hard to develop those relationships and you want to make sure they stay strong for a long time to come.”

Damon Wos says, “Simply put, from the commercial end, Dusti makes Schaumburg ‘go’. Her work ethic is second-to-none and her positive attitude is contagious.”

That positive attitude comes from doing what she loves…and that’s selling steel! She says, “It’s kind of a rush when you get a big order, almost like a roller coaster – quote it, hold your breath while you wait for the order, and finally, feel the excitement when you make the sale!”

Selling steel and mentoring her team make Dusti happy to come to work each day. She enjoys teaching people what she’s learned in her more than 20 years in the metals industry. And what she teaches them is great advice for anyone interested in building a great career at Olympic Steel, no matter what department they’re in: “Have a positive attitude, stay organized, be dedicated and make yourself available to others.”