Matt Grussing
Matt Grussing, Director of Sales - Fabrication, Olympic Steel, Corporate
Believes in breaking down silos. Fosters teamwork to support a positive work culture. Says you get more when you give more.
Matt Grussing came to Olympic Steel with over 10 years of the experience in design and engineering leading product teams. He went back to school to earn a business degree, then applied for a position at Olympic Steel. He started in the quality department at our Minneapolis, MN location before moving into sales. He moved from Inside Sales Representative to Regional Sales Manager, with a couple different sales roles in between. Matt says his time managing the inside and outside sales teams gave him valuable experience.
He explains, “Managing the Inside Sales Team is the hardest job [I’ve had] at Olympic Steel. Everything runs through that team and it’s important to understand how all the pieces fit together to keep things running smoothly. I gained a lot of experience in that role mentoring the team and sharing what I know. As the Regional Sales Manager, I learned to adapt my management style and be an asset to my team by supporting their efforts to increase and expand our business.”
After years in sales for MN, Matt moved into the General Manager role at Minneapolis (Plate). In that role, he worked closely with operations. When the Fabrication Team was being developed, Matt was asked to join as the Director of Sales – Fabrication, bringing him full circle and offering an opportunity to be at the forefront of a major area of growth for the Company.
Matt says his proudest moment with Olympic Steel can’t be narrowed down to a single event. “It’s probably when I realized Olympic Steel is where I want to be - when I first moved into outside sales. Then, when I managed teams and was able to help build a division’s culture and grow the team - watching others grow professionally and succeed in their career is extremely rewarding,” he says.
“Career opportunities and mentorship are engrained in Olympic Steel,” Matt says. “From the start, our leadership has always been available to give advice and share their experiences. I also learned so much by talking to other managers and leaders in the organization.”
When asked which Core Value he best represents, Matt said Teamwork stands out to him. “The Fabrication Team encourages teamwork – break out of the silos because we’re all working toward the same goal. I grew up playing sports, so I’m a team player, but as a manager, I learned to develop the team as a group who works together.”
Teamwork is also an important aspect of how Matt tackles challenges. He says, “I’m never afraid to ask for help or advice, especially when the challenge is too big for one person. When you work together as a team to face a challenge, you also get to share in the reward of accomplishing the goal!”
Matt enjoys the variety of work his job provides and he especially enjoys developing good working relationships that make it all worthwhile. When asked for his advice to others who also want to build a fulfilling career, he says this: “Listen to those who have been there before you. Be a sponge. There is a lot more to learn about the business than the material. Don’t be afraid to accept challenges as opportunities and always give more to get more.”
