Automation Sales Specialist

Sonepar USA; Irving (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare plans

Dental & vision

Paid time off

Paid parental leave

401(k) retirement savings with company

Job summary

Crawford Electric Supply, a Crawford subsidiary within the Sonepar family, is seeking an Automation Sales Specialist in Irving, TX to drive growth with OEM customers and lead automation design-in opportunities.

You will partner with Automation Application Engineers and the sales team to position PLCs, HMIs, drives, and related automation solutions across OEM machines; you will manage long sales cycles and shape platform selection.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, or related field; or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years in industrial automation sales, OEM development, or technical sales.
• Experience with machine builders or OEM customers preferred.
• Knowledge of PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, motion control and industrial communications.

Responsibilities

• OEM Account Development & Growth: Develop and expand relationships with OEM customers by identifying design-in opportunities, platform standardization initiatives, and long-term automation strategies.
• Solution-Based Sales Leadership: Lead the commercial sales process for automation opportunities, coordinating technical support from Automation Application Engineers while maintaining ownership of opportunity strategy, pricing, and closure.
• Platform Positioning & Design-In: Position industrial controls and automation solutions—including PLCs, HMIs, drives, motion, safety, and industrial networking—within OEM machine architectures.
• Sales Team Partnership & OEM Support: Partner with existing sales team members to support established OEM customers by providing automation expertise, assisting with design-in efforts, and identifying expansion opportunities while respecting existing account ownership.
• Market & Competitive Awareness: Maintain awareness of OEM market trends, machine standards, and competitive automation platforms to strengthen solution positioning and customer value.

Skills

Consultative selling

Relationship building

Long sales cycles

OEM customer focus

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Tools

PLC

HMI

VFD

Motion control

Industrial networking

Job description

There's a Place for You at Crawford Electric Supply.

A career at Crawford Electric Supply is more than a job. You're investing in a brighter, more sustainable future together and joining a team that makes a real difference for our customers. Crawford Electric Supply offers electrical products and services to contractors. If it helps bring electricity to an office, home, factory or other building - you can find it here. We operate throughout the southeast region of the United States, and are part of the Sonepar group, the world's #1 electrical distributor with over 45,000 associates around the globe.

Being "Powered by Difference" means we respect and value diverse perspectives. Crawford Electric Supply we offer a supportive culture and great benefits, and as part of the larger Sonepar group, we can offer exciting opportunities to grow your career.

Position:

Automation Sales Specialist

Location:

Irving, TX

About Crawford:

If you are looking for a company who is committed to building a relationship with you, who encourages having fun at work, who is powered by difference, and who is passionate about your future, it's time to apply at Crawford Electric Supply. Known in the electrical distribution industry for being a great place to work and build a career, Crawford prides itself on being a business partner rather than just an electrical supplier to its customers. Everyday Crawford associates provide the best customer experience while at the same time offering the widest variety of electrical products on the market. For the past 30 years, Crawford has built a culture of growth, opportunity, innovative thinking, and stability for its employees by truly living up to the company motto of, \"Whatever it Takes!\" through our mindset competencies below:

Adapt:

Effectively embrace new situation and people

Dare:

Appropriately challenge the status quo

Learn:

Learn from others, from mistakes, and self-improve

Responsibilities

Position Summary

The Automation Sales Specialist - OEM is responsible for driving growth of industrial controls and automation solutions with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). This role focuses on early engagement in the machine design lifecycle to influence platform selection, standardization, and longterm solution adoption. The specialist partners closely with Automation Application Engineers and the broader sales team to deliver scalable, repeatable automation solutions.

Duties & Responsibilities

• OEM Account Development & Growth: Develop and expand relationships with OEM customers by identifying designin opportunities, platform standardization initiatives, and longterm automation strategies.
• SolutionBased Sales Leadership: Lead the commercial sales process for automation opportunities, coordinating technical support from Automation Application Engineers while maintaining ownership of opportunity strategy, pricing, and closure.
• Platform Positioning & DesignIn: Position industrial controls and automation solutions-including PLCs, HMIs, drives, motion, safety, and industrial networking-within OEM machine architectures to support scalable and repeatable designs.
• Sales Team Partnership & OEM Support: Partner with existing sales team members to support established OEM customers by providing automation expertise, assisting with designin efforts, and identifying expansion opportunities while respecting existing account ownership.
• Market & Competitive Awareness: Maintain awareness of OEM market trends, machine standards, and competitive automation platforms to strengthen solution positioning and customer value.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in engineering, Business, or related field
  (or equivalent relevant experience)
• Experience: 5+ years in industrial automation sales, OEM business development, or technical sales. Experience working with machine builders or OEM customers preferred.
• Technical Knowledge: Working knowledge of industrial automation technologies including PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, motion control, and industrial communications. Familiarity with leading automation platforms and competitive solutions.
• Professional Skills: Strong consultative selling and relationshipbuilding skills with the ability to manage long sales cycles and influence early design decisions. Effective communication with both technical and commercial stakeholders.

Environment

Note: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed. Crawford is an equal opportunity employer

Crawford is a subsidiary of Sonepar USA.

What We Offer You

We offer great family-friendly benefits to full-time associates:

• Healthcare plans
• Dental & vision
• Paid time off
• Paid parental leave
• 401(k) retirement savings with company match
• Professional and personal development programs

• Opportunity to become a shareholder
• Employer-paid short- and long-term disability
• Employer-paid life insurance for spouse and dependents
• Robust wellness program
• Gym reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

We're proud to be a military-friendly company, and our many employee resource groups (ERGs) help you make connections and feel supported.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Sonepar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability unrelated to ability, marital status, family responsibilities, pregnancy, genetic information, sexual orientation, order of protection status, protected veteran or military status, or an unfavorable discharge from military service, or any other categories protected by federal, state or local law.

Sonepar and our family of brands are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, we will take the steps to assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. Accordingly, if a reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the position, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please call or email .

EEO is the Law

Applicants and employees are protected under Federal law from discrimination.

Pay Transparency Non-Discrimination Provision

Sonepar follows Executive Order 11246, including the Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision.

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