Automation Sales Specialist

Sonepar•Irving, TX

93d•Onsite

About The Position

Crawford Electric Supply is seeking an Automation Sales Specialist - OEM to drive growth in industrial controls and automation solutions with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). This role involves early engagement in the machine design lifecycle to influence platform selection, standardization, and long-term solution adoption. The specialist will collaborate closely with Automation Application Engineers and the broader sales team to deliver scalable, repeatable automation solutions. Crawford Electric Supply is committed to building relationships, encouraging fun at work, valuing diversity, and investing in employees' futures. They are known in the electrical distribution industry as a great place to work and build a career, focusing on being a business partner to their customers. Crawford has cultivated a culture of growth, opportunity, innovative thinking, and stability for its employees for the past 30 years, living by the motto, “Whatever it Takes!”

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Business, or related field (or equivalent relevant experience)
5+ years in industrial automation sales, OEM business development, or technical sales.
Working knowledge of industrial automation technologies including PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, motion control, and industrial communications.
Familiarity with leading automation platforms and competitive solutions.
Strong consultative selling and relationship-building skills with the ability to manage long sales cycles and influence early design decisions.
Effective communication with both technical and commercial stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with machine builders or OEM customers preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop and expand relationships with OEM customers by identifying design-in opportunities, platform standardization initiatives, and long-term automation strategies.
Lead the commercial sales process for automation opportunities, coordinating technical support from Automation Application Engineers while maintaining ownership of opportunity strategy, pricing, and closure.
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.
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.
Maintain awareness of OEM market trends, machine standards, and competitive automation platforms to strengthen solution positioning and customer value.