Her Story
About Jodi
Jodi Bunlong is an accomplished sales and account management professional with more than 25 years of experience in the metal distribution industry. Based in Yucaipa, California, she currently serves as a Territory Account Manager at Samuel, Son & Co., where she supports customers across a wide range of manufacturing sectors. Known for her expertise in business development, territory growth, strategic planning, and consultative sales, Jodi has built a reputation for consistently exceeding sales goals while developing long-term client relationships. Her extensive background includes managing both B2B and B2C accounts, negotiating contracts, overseeing procurement processes, and driving profitable growth throughout her territory.
Jodi’s career reflects a remarkable progression through the metals industry. She began her professional journey as an inside sales representative and steadily advanced into leadership-focused account management roles. Prior to joining Samuel, Son & Co., she spent more than a decade with Industrial Metal Supply, where she specialized in technical sales of carbon steel, aluminum, and stainless steel products for industries such as aerospace, automotive, military, construction, food processing, and signage manufacturing. Earlier in her career, she worked with AEP SPAN, educating engineers, contractors, and design professionals on steel building products across Southern California and Nevada. Her deep understanding of metal manufacturing processes, customized aluminum extrusions, and mill operations has made her a trusted advisor to customers and industry partners alike.
Widely recognized for her relationship-first approach to sales, Jodi has earned the nickname “The Metal Girl” through her dedication to customer service, integrity, and professional networking. She operates her territory with an entrepreneurial mindset, taking personal ownership of customer success and business results. A member of the Association of Women in Metal, she has been honored as Salesperson of the Year for two consecutive years and consistently ranks among the top performers in her organization. Beyond her professional achievements, Jodi is known for her competitive spirit, commitment to personal growth, and passion for building meaningful connections both within and outside the metals industry.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jodi
01What do you attribute your success to?
My customers will tell you they buy from me because they like me. I'm not just a car salesman - I care about them, and they know they can trust me. If they need me, I'm available 24-7 to them. I offer something that my competitors don't. I run my territory like my own business, and when something goes good, it's my face. When something goes bad, it's my face. I like to keep my name and my integrity high. I never promise something that I can't deliver. I'm huge at networking - that's how I built my brand. The biggest compliment is that customers buy from me because they like me.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Never promise something that I can't deliver. I'm not just going to take an order just to take the order. I always make sure that if I promise something, I'm going to deliver. If I can't do it, I'm not going to say I will and then not be able to commit to it.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Know your stuff. Period. As a woman in a male-dominated industry, you can get in the door faster as a woman, obviously, but if you don't know your stuff, you're going to lose their trust and respect. Men will test you, so you need to know your stuff thoroughly. I learned this going into this industry very young and green - as a woman, we can get in the door, but if you don't know your stuff, you're going to lose their trust and respect.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The market is absolutely my biggest struggle right now. All the tariffs have affected my industry - I sell aluminum and stainless steel, so domestically we have to buy. Everyone's afraid to commit to large buys now, so they're doing smaller buys, which has affected our industry. The war and all the economic stuff has had an impact. But on the opportunity side, aerospace and defense right now are the biggest opportunities in the field.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I always deliver on my promises - if I promise you something, I'm going to deliver. If I can't do it, I'm not going to just say I will and then not be able to commit to it. I don't want to take an order just to take the order. My customers know they can call me for everything, even if I don't sell it. I'm going to steer them in a way that is going to help them find that material. Always being helpful to the customer is key - I'm their go-to.
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