Industrial Automation Account Manager Trainee – Sales Development Program

Applied Controls, Inc.; Exton (PA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Medical, dental, vision

401(k)

Paid vacation

Job summary

Applied Controls is offering a structured 12-month GO2 Industrial Sales Development Program in Malvern, PA for recent graduates and early-career professionals. You will gain hands-on training, dedicated mentorship, and real-world customer experience while learning from experienced sales and technical professionals.

There is a clear path to a full-time Account Manager role, where you will manage your own territory, build customer relationships, and help solve complex industrial challenges.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with an engineering focus preferred.
• Interest in outside/field sales and building customer relationships.
• Internship experience in manufacturing, distribution, engineering, industrial automation, or sales is a plus.
• Mechanical curiosity and interest in how industrial systems and equipment work.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential.
• Competitive mindset, strong work ethic, and desire to succeed in a performance-driven environment.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel, including overnight travel.
• Willingness to relocate for 12 months during training and relocate again for permanent placement.

Responsibilities

• Participate in a structured training program at our Applied Controls office in Malvern, PA.
• Learn consultative outside sales, territory management, and customer relationship development.
• Receive product and application training from experienced technical and sales professionals.
• Work alongside Account Managers during customer visits and joint sales calls.
• Build relationships with new and existing customers and develop product recommendations.
• Gain hands-on experience with prospecting, quoting, negotiating, and closing deals.
• Receive ongoing coaching, mentorship, and professional development throughout the program.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Sales mindset

Work ethic

Travel readiness

Relocation willingness

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor's degree with engineering focus

Job description

Applied Controls, a SunSource company, is a high-tech automation distributor and solutions provider. We educate and support local manufacturers in implementing emerging technologies to reduce costs, increase productivity and improve safety. Our offerings range from industrial computers and software, Robotics, Machine Vision, and Motion Control. Our goal is to increase productivity to keep manufacturing in America successful and prosperous. www.appliedc.com

Ready to Launch Your Sales Career?

Don't settle for an entry-level job that simply gives you a place to start. Build a career with a company that will invest in your development. The Grow Our Own (GO2) Industrial Sales Development Program is a 12-month, structured training program designed for recent graduates and early-career professionals who want to build a successful career in industrial technical sales.

You'll gain hands-on training, dedicated mentorship, and real-world customer experience while learning from experienced sales and technical professionals. Most importantly, you'll have a clear path to a full-time Account Manager role, where you'll manage your own territory, build customer relationships, and help solve complex industrial challenges.

No previous industrial sales experience is required. We're looking for motivated, curious individuals who enjoy building relationships, solving problems, and want to build a long-term career within SunSource and our family of companies.

Why GO2?

• Comprehensive classroom, technical, and hands-on training
• Dedicated mentorship and coaching from experienced sales professionals
• Exposure to multiple industrial technologies, products, and markets
• Real customer interaction and outside sales experience
• A clear path to a full-time Account Manager position
• Long-term career growth opportunities across SunSource's nationwide network of companies

What You Will Do

• Participate in a structured training program at our Applied Controls office in Malvern, PA.
• Learn consultative outside sales, territory management, and customer relationship development
• Receive product and application training from experienced technical and sales professionals
• Work alongside experienced Account Managers during customer visits and joint sales calls
• Build relationships with new and existing customers and develop product recommendations and technical solutions that improve productivity
• Gain hands-on experience with prospecting, quoting, negotiating, and closing deals
• Receive ongoing coaching, mentorship, and professional development throughout the program

What You Will Need

We're looking for individuals who are interested in sales, motivated to learn, enjoy solving problems, and thrive in a relationship-driven environment.

• Desire a career in outside/field sales
• Bachelor's degree with an Engineering focus is preferred for this role
• Internship experience in manufacturing, distribution, engineering, industrial automation, or sales is a plus
• Mechanical curiosity and an interest in learning how industrial systems and equipment work
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Competitive mindset, strong work ethic, and desire to succeed in a performance-driven environment
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel as needed, including occasional overnight travel
• Depending on location/position, willingness and ability to relocate for 12 months during training and relocate again for permanent placement upon successful completion of the program

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation: $55,000–$65,000 + potential for additional bonus
• Relocation assistance, where applicable
• Medical, dental, vision, 401(k), paid vacation, and company holidays
• Technical training and ongoing professional development
• Career advancement opportunities across SunSource and our family of companies
• Upon successful completion of the program, promotion to Account Manager, with eligibility for commission and other incentives

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. If you are an individual with a disability and require an accommodation to complete the application process, please contact [e-mail] to request reasonable accommodation. Only requests for accommodation in the application process will be returned from this email address. This employer uses E-Verify. Sun-Source | Privacy Policy #appliedcontrolsassc

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.