Automation Specialist Lead - Industrial Controls And Automation

Please review the full job posting including the required skills and experience to understand the expected qualifications for this role.
Automation Specialist Lead
Schedule: Monday - Friday
Location: Mankato, Rochester, La Crosse or Eau Claire office
POSITION OBJECTIVE: Responsible for supporting the sales efforts of the company for automation related product lines. While they may have no assigned accounts, the primary specialist responsibility is sales and bottom line growth. They achieve this by providing application problem solving, customer technical support, customer training, in-house training and marketing support.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Direct sales-based activities:
  • Joint and individual calls with line sales people to introduce new products.
  • Presentations to groups of customers to describe technical features.
  • Can break-down complex technology into simple words simple terms.
  • Application needs evaluation in order to develop "customized solutions" to the customer's problems.
  • Build quotations and bills of material for technical products.
  • Assist salespeople in identifying high-potential target accounts.
• Indirect sales-based activities:
  • Develop and conduct "in-house" how to sell my products training for sales and customer service groups.
  • Advise on proper descriptions in company business system.
  • Manage catalog and support materials for sales activities.
  • Provide catalog assistance to customer service and inside sales groups.
• Customer technical support:
  • Provide customer-based product training or seminars.
  • Assist customers with needs and application analysis.
  • Assist customers in trouble shooting activities.
  • Act as "front line" support for programming, configuration or set-up questions.
  • Attend manufacturer and industry led technology updates as needed.
• Internal technical support:
  • Answer technology questions from sales and customer service people.
  • Develop and conduct technology training and product training classes for sales and customer service departments. Automation Specialist Lead 2 Job Description Revision 5/14
  • Keep abreast of new standards and government regulations.
• Vendor relations:
  • Attend vendor planning/review/targeting meetings.
  • Coordinate sales and technical support activities with local vendor team.
  • Suggest training topics for local vendor sales people.
  • Provide information to management team for vendor rating meetings as needed.
  • Assist in negotiating special pricing on sample and demos.
• Secondary responsibilities:
  • Assist marketing in developing the appropriate marketing materials for sale brochures, events and other promotions.
  • Review all inventory slated for scrapping for potential salability or use as demo equipment.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• EDUCATION: Bachelor Degree or equivalent experience.
• EXPERIENCE: 4+ years application experience and 3+ years in specialist role.
• KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ACTIVITIES: Good listening, writing skills. Strong presentation skills (groups & 1-on-1). Coaching, limited management skills. Very strong computer skills. Understands product features, applications and problem solving. Recognizes and assumes responsibility of sales team. Understands competitive positioning, market level prices, product mixes. Manages some areas of the vendor relationship. Seeks out new technologies and recruits suppliers. Manages Demo and Sample budget for technology group.
• GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • Must have a valid driver's license
  • Limited travel

About Viking Electric and Sonepar USA
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Sonepar is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer encouraging diversity in the workplace. 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, gender expression, gender identity, transgender, sex stereotyping, order of protection status, protected veteran or military status, or an unfavorable discharge from military service, and other categories protected by federal, state or local law.
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