Application Specialist

SMC; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

SMC Minneapolis seeks an Automation Application Specialist to provide technical expertise and guidance to clients implementing industrial automation. You will collaborate with sales, engineering, and customers to design, configure, and optimize automation solutions for manufacturing processes.

The role requires travel, strong presentation and training skills, CRM proficiency, and a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• Extensive industrial automation product knowledge.
• Experience with CRM and client training.

Responsibilities

• Participate in monthly conference calls and share success stories.
• Identify and close major revenue-producing projects.
• Understand customer products, requirements, and regulatory needs.
• Provide ongoing training to sales, customers and distributors.
• Deliver training sessions and workshops for client teams.
• Document and monitor sales activity in CRM.
• Assist sales with technical presentations for customers.

Skills

CRM proficiency

Client engagement

Technical presentations

Training delivery

Industry knowledge

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

CRM software

Job description

Purpose

As an Automation Application Specialist, your primary responsibility is to provide technical expertise, support, and guidance to clients in implementing industrial automation solutions. You will serve as a subject matter expert, assisting clients in optimizing their manufacturing processes, improving efficiency, and leveraging automation technologies effectively.

Responsibilities

• Participate in monthly conference calls and provide application success stories, share and distribute details to branch team
• Focus on identifying and closing major revenue‑producing projects
• Be involved with key accounts and their projects directly, understanding buying influences and technical requirements for specific products
• Identify all specifications and regulatory needs at the customer level and relay them accurately to the appropriate engineer or product specialist
• Provide continuous training to sales employees, customers and distributors on products and applications, including assisting with local training presentations
• Deliver training sessions and workshops to clients' engineering and operations teams on use and maintenance of automation systems
• Document and monitor sales activity in CRM system, including meetings and opportunities
• Assist sales employees in detailed technical presentations to all levels of customers, including lunch & learns, tent shows, mini panel expos, etc.
• Collaborate with clients to understand their unique manufacturing processes, challenges, and automation objectives
• Work closely with clients and internal engineering teams to design, configure, and customize automation solutions
• Stay abreast of competitive outlook, assist with gap analysis, industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in industrial automation
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and innovation within client operations, recommending new automation solutions or enhancements
• Collaborate with product development teams to provide feedback and insights for future product enhancements or new product development
• Provide guidance and best practices for operating, monitoring, and troubleshooting industrial automation equipment and software
• Provide technical support to clients during implementation phase, addressing system configuration, integration, and performance issues
• Successfully complete other duties as prescribed by sales management as necessary

Physical Demands / Work Environment

• Fast‑paced environment (includes both office and field work)
• Travel with some extended stay away from home
• Physically capable of lifting SMC products and displays up to 50 lbs.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree, or equivalent work experience
• Advanced industrial automation product and application experience with SMC or equivalent industry
• Experience with or knowledge of competitive product and applications
• Demonstrated ability to correctly apply and implement newest high‑tech products
• Extensive SMC Application knowledge or equivalent industry
• Extensive experience with various manufacturing products and processes, including (but not limited to) packaging, electronics, food, chemical, automotive and medical
• Fluid Power Pneumatic Specialist Certification preferred
• Proficient in CRM and ability to learn new programs and tools as required
• Clean driving record