Regional Account Manager / Technical Sales Specialist

MDS Staffing; Eden Prairie (MN); Remote; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

MDS Staffing is seeking a Regional Account Manager / Technical Sales Specialist to lead automation projects for feed mills, agronomy, and grain facilities across the North Central region. You will guide capital projects, influence design choices, and shape solutions with engineering partners.

The role demands 15+ years in feed/automation, a relevant bachelor's degree, and deep PLC/HMI/SCADA expertise. Travel 25–50% is expected; Minnesota/Iowa/South Dakota preferred, with remote options available.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in feed mill, agronomy, grain handling, or industrial automation environments with capital projects.
• Bachelor's degree in Agribusiness, Animal Science, Feed Science, Agricultural Science, Ag Systems Technology, or related field.
• Technical expertise in automation and process systems including PLCs, HMI/SCADA, batching and bulk material handling, instrumentation, and electrical design.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior advisor supporting capital project planning and industry intelligence to strengthen market position.
• Influence automation specifications and project strategy with engineering firms and partners.
• Provide senior technical guidance on automation design, reviewing flows, control architectures, and integration strategies.
• Develop and execute a regional sales strategy to drive new business and grow existing accounts.
• Foster long-term relationships with customers by identifying improvements, product upgrades, and facility enhancements.
• Promote full range of offerings including controls, software, automation, and equipment to cooperatives, mills, and agronomy service providers.
• Create and deliver quotes, process flow diagrams, and documentation.
• Collaborate with Sales Engineering, Technical Sales, Controls Engineering, and Software Development teams.
• Participate in networking, industry events, and trade shows to strengthen brand and generate leads.
• Provide customer insights to leadership on trends and opportunities for product development.
• Maintain CRM activity and pipeline in tools like Salesforce.

Skills

Industry experience

Sales leadership

Automation expertise

PLC controls

HMI/SCADA

CRM Salesforce

Travel readiness

Electrical design

Education

Bachelor's degree in Agribusiness

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

Regional Account Manager / Technical Sales Specialist

This senior role requires 15+ years of experience in feed operations, feed mill automation, or related industrial automation. The position focuses on bringing deep industry knowledge to support feed mills, food process, agricultural and agronomy facilities, engineering partners, and millwright companies, in evaluating, designing, and implementing practical automation solutions. This role will serve as a technical and operational resource for customers and partners by helping influence automation strategies, providing expert guidance on facility processes and control systems, and collaborating with engineering firms and industry partners to develop effective project solutions. This sales role will support territory development by maintaining strong relationships across the industry, assisting with solution design, preparing system proposals and process documentation, and sharing field insights that help guide product development and long-term strategy.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as a senior advisor, supporting capital project planning, delivering technical education, and providing industry intelligence to strengthen marketshare position in the feed and agronomy sectors.
• Influence automation specifications and project strategy by engaging engineering firms and partners during conceptual and pre-bid phases to ensure solutions are incorporated into facility designs and project plans.
• Provide senior technical guidance on automation design, reviewing process flows, control architectures, and integration strategies while identifying risks and improvements.
• Develop and execute a regional sales strategy to drive new business and expand existing accounts in the feed, agronomy and grain handling sectors.
• Foster strong, long-term relationships with existing customers by identifying improvement opportunities, product upgrades, and facility enhancements.
• Promote full range of offerings-controls, software, automation, and equipment to cooperatives, feed mills, grain facilities, and agronomy service providers.
• Create and deliver quotes, process flow diagrams, and documentation.
• Collaborate with internal teams including Sales Engineering, Technical Sales, Controls Engineering, and Software Development.
• Participate in networking, industry events, and trade shows to strengthen brand presence and generate leads.
• Serve as a voice of the customer by providing insight and feedback to leadership on trends, customer pain points, and opportunities for product development.
• Maintain accurate activity and pipeline tracking within CRM tools such as Salesforce.
• Participate in weekly sales calls and cross-segment collaboration to ensure consistency across feed, grain, and agronomy efforts.

REQUIREMENTS

• 15+ years of progressive experience in feed mill, agronomy, grain handling, or industrial automation environments, with direct involvement in capital construction projects, facility retrofits, automation system implementation, and coordination across engineering and millwright teams.
• Bachelor's degree in Agribusiness, Animal Science, Feed Science, Agricultural Science, Ag Systems Technology, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Technical expertise in industrial automation and process systems, including PLC controls, HMI/SCADA platforms, batching and bulk material handling systems, instrumentation, motor controls, and electrical design, with the ability to interpret electrical schematics, P&IDs, mechanical drawings, and controls architecture diagrams to support complex project execution.
• Ability to present products, resources, and business model (core values) through various skills and strategies.
• Strong presentation, communication, and relationship-building skills with the ability to engage stakeholders across all levels.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) and CRM platforms (preferably Salesforce).
• Willingness to travel 25-50% across the assigned territory.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. unassisted and work in dusty, industrial/agricultural environments (climb ladders, stairs, kneel, twist, crawl, etc.).
• Must possess a valid U.S. driver's license and be eligible to travel to Canada.
• Follow and exhibit qualities of Empathy, Approachability, Integrity, and Perseverance.

This position can be based in on of our three offices, or fully remote. Given the assigned North Central territory, candidates must be located within the region to support customer travel. The ideal location is Minnesota, Iowa, or South Dakota, though other locations within the territory will be considered.