Sales Development Associate - Distribution | 2027 Cohort
About The Position
Bunzl Distribution is hiring a Sales Development Associate for its Class of 2027 cohort. The role begins with an intensive, 12-month training program based in St. Louis, Missouri. Associates learn about Bunzl’s products, customers, distribution operations, and sales processes while developing professional selling skills, building relationships with leaders, and gaining hands-on business experience. The program is intended to prepare participants to move into a Sales Representative role in a sales territory after graduation. Bunzl supplies disposable products such as paper products, packaging, food service disposables, janitorial and sanitation products, safety supplies, and PPE. After the program, territory assignments may serve customers in markets including grocery, food processing, industrial manufacturing, hospitality, restaurants, entertainment, and distribution. Training takes place in St. Louis, and successful graduates may be assigned to a sales territory anywhere in the United States. Compensation includes a competitive salary and a relocation/living stipend during training.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree required; ideally in Business, Marketing, Professional Selling, Communications, or a related field.
- Expected graduation between December 2026 and May 2027, or recent graduate with a bachelor's degree.
- Strong interest in building a long-term career in sales.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Demonstrated leadership through internships, student organizations, athletics, work experience, or community involvement.
- Self-motivated, competitive, and driven to achieve goals.
- Strong organizational, problem-solving, and time management skills.
- Ability to work independently and thrive in a team environment.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Excel, and Word.
- Willingness to relocate to St. Louis, Missouri, for the training program and to a sales territory anywhere in the United States after successful completion.
- Ability to travel, including overnight stays at least 2–3 nights per week.
Responsibilities
- Participate in all phases of the Sales Development Associate Program.
- Learn Bunzl's products, customers, distribution operations, and sales processes.
- Develop consultative selling, prospecting, relationship management, and account growth skills.
- Work alongside experienced sales professionals and business leaders to gain hands-on experience.
- Build customer relationships through exceptional service and responsiveness.
- Identify opportunities to increase sales and profitability within assigned accounts.
- Present products, promote new solutions, and support customer business growth.
- Collaborate with customer service, operations, purchasing, and sales leadership.
- Attend sales meetings, customer visits, training sessions, and professional development activities.
- Complete program requirements and training milestones.
- Prepare to transition into a field sales territory upon completing the program.
Benefits
- Medical benefits effective the first day of the month after 30 days.
- Dental benefits effective the first day of the month after 30 days.
- Vision benefits effective the first day of the month after 30 days.
- Paid time off, including vacation, sick, holidays, and personal time.
- 401(k) with a generous company match.
- Competitive salary and relocation/living stipend during the training period.
- Structured sales development curriculum and hands-on sales training.
- Ongoing professional development and opportunities for career advancement.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
