So, I've talked before about how I have a dude job. I am in industrial sales and 90% of my customers are automotive suppliers. I am one of three women on a sales staff of over 40. Most of the sexist stuff I endure is nuanced and from customers. Mainly comments like "you really know what you're talking about," or "you're not who I was expecting," and I get a lot of qualifying questions - shit like "where's the engine?"
However, we have a new vendor that speaks down to me. He has been at this about 3 months and I'm in my 10th year at this company - 13th in the industry. He explains very basic terms to me (like residual value in a loan), has questioned my quotes and process, and just today, emailed me in red, bold, font as to what he expects me to do when he gets me the information I have been asking for for 3 days.
I wanted to respond to his red, bold email with the following but a male coworker suggested I might want to say this to him as opposed to putting it in writing. Thoughts?
I have noticed you have a habit of
explaining to me what my role in this process is or how I should present my
quotes. I know you’ve only been doing
this for a couple months so you haven’t known me long. Therefore, I wanted to reassure
you that as a 10th year associate at XCo., I am very comfortable and
knowledgeable when it comes to presenting product quotes and options.
I appreciate your help and look forward to receiving your new numbers.