Solutions Specialist

Sonepar Canada, Inc.; Hot Springs (AR); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

401(k) retirement savings with company match

Professional development programs

Employer-paid life insurance

Job summary

Sonepar Canada, Inc. is seeking an Automation Sales & Services Specialist in Hot Springs, Arkansas, responsible for driving sales growth in automation services, particularly focusing on Schneider Electric's offerings. The ideal candidate will have at least 5 years of experience in automation sales, strong technical skills, and the ability to develop effective sales strategies. The position includes providing customer support, developing sales plans, and collaborating with various stakeholders to enhance service delivery and market presence. A comprehensive benefits package is offered.

Qualifications

• 5 years’ experience with Schneider Electric services or equivalent competitive experience.
• Good presentation and communication skills in English; Spanish is a plus.
• Ability to analyze data trends for decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Drive business strategy for automation sales and services.
• Develop and implement sales plans to achieve growth.
• Provide pre-sale and post-sale technical support.

Skills

Technical writing

Professional selling skills

Negotiation techniques

Understanding market trends

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering

Tools

Programmable controllers

Industrial computers

Operations software

Job description

Position

Automation Sales & Services Specialist

Location

North/Central Arkansas

Job Summary

The Automation Sales & Services Specialist is responsible for driving the business strategy to accelerate growth in Automation related businesses including but not limited to Schneider Electric services such as modernization and upgrades, performance optimization, industrial repair, arc‑flash studies, drive startups, Powerlogic metering upgrades, replacement and upgrades of legacy power distribution systems, breaker and panel retrofit projects, as well as service plans for customers such as extended warranties for APC UPS systems and other SQD extended warranty offerings. The role also involves Schneider Electric and other automation component sales such as programmable controllers, I/O, safety, industrial computers, motor drives, system network design, operations software, and plant maintenance software. This position will create and execute a sales plan that meets or exceeds set sales goals for both accounts directly assigned as well as the overall Automation sales of the area of responsibility. It includes providing technical, marketing, and commercial leadership for sales growth, supporting the commercial plan for this business segment, and developing a competency plan to ensure support functions are adequately prepared to maximize share gain for this business in the assigned territory.

Responsibilities

• Area of responsibility includes locations within and adjacent to the Little Rock, AR market.
• The Automation Sales & Services Specialist serves as the key driver and business leader for the area of responsibility for all of Crawford’s Industrial Automation products and service offerings.
• This position must be able to articulate the value of Schneider Electric’s portfolio of Automation products and services and utilize outcome‑based selling strategies at all customer levels.
• Responsible for annual planning, forecasting, and driving the business strategy to accelerate business growth and sales performance in the assigned geography.
• Lead the commercial introduction of new products and services including:
• Set business goals,
• Identify customer targets,
• Drive marketing efforts,
• Provide technical, application, and industry training to distributor account managers for core products.
• Consult and advise customers on proposals and pricing strategies.
• Guide customers on the proper installation and configuration of core products, modernizations, and conversion to upgraded technology.
• Collaborate with Crawford and Schneider Electric Automation sales, specialists, and domain experts to sell core products.
• Provide pre‑sale and post‑sale support.
• Understand market trends, business drivers, KPIs, and competing forces and translate them into customer solutions.
• Build and maintain trusted customer relationships, while understanding the different personas within the customer (e.g., buyer vs influencer) as well as their business drivers.
• Develop, create, and implement account and territory plans, campaigns, and commercial programs for new and existing business.
• Act as a trusted partner to the aligned Schneider Electric (Square D) Automation Business Units (BUs), providing local market intelligence and constructive customer feedback.
• Interface with Schneider Electric’s Business Leaders and Technical Consultants to facilitate the resolution of quality and delivery issues when necessary and provide feedback to the appropriate Schneider Electric Specialist team relative to product or service gaps, as well as opportunities.
• Develop marketing and sales collateral on their products, services, and solutions relevant to their market for internal, partner, and customer use.
• Serve as a domain expert for this portfolio of products and services, maintaining and building technical and sales competency through both formal and informal training, as well as regular product updates and team meetings.
• Lead and support customer‑facing technical events.
• Respond in a timely manner to customer and sales requests, including outside of normal business hours.
• Travel as required within assigned geography including overnight, and to training and other events nationally for up to two weeks annually.
• Acknowledge and maintain compliance with applicable Sonepar, Crawford, and Schneider Electric focused vendor policies.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering or equivalent combination of skills, experience, or education.
• 5 years’ experience with Schneider Electric (Square D) automation services, products, and applications or equivalent experience with competitive products and solutions. (for Senior level; 1.5 to 5 years for Level II; 1 year for Level I)
• Ability to create professional proposals from customer specifications, follow process and approval procedures.
• Good technical writing, presentation, and communications skills with the ability to present topics to groups of customers and internal peers in English. Ability to converse in additional languages, especially Spanish, would be very desirable.
• Ability to determine data trends and utilize the information in the decision‑making process.
• Demonstrates professional selling skills, e.g., prospecting, negotiation techniques, preparing for professional meetings, handling customer objections, gaining committed customer relationships.
• Ability to identify and understand market trends and conditions, competitive forces, sales opportunities, and growth through strategic business planning.
• Willing to continuously learn and improve technical competency.

Preferred Qualifications

• Outcome‑based sales experience with an understanding of the important business drivers (key factors and activities that drive the operational and financial results) for industrial customers.
• Deep technical knowledge of programmable controllers, I/O, safety, industrial computers, system network design, design software, operations software, and plant maintenance software and able to articulate core product capabilities to customers in a way that is relevant to customer's industry and applications.

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.

What We Offer You

• 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)

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 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 843‑745‑2420 or email recruiting@sonepar‑us.com.

Applicants and employees are protected under Federal law from discrimination.

Sonepar follows Executive Order 11246, including the Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision. To learn more, click here.