Lead Solutions Specialist - Industrial Controls and Automation

Position

Automation Sales Specialist – OEM

Location:

Houston, TX

Crawford Electric Supply offers electrical products and services to contractors and serves the southeast region as part of the Sonepar group.

• OEM Account Development & Growth:
  Develop and expand relationships with OEM customers by identifying design-in opportunities, platform standardization initiatives, and long-term automation strategies.
• Solution-Based Sales Leadership:
  Lead the commercial sales process for automation opportunities, coordinating technical support from Automation Application Engineers while maintaining ownership of opportunity strategy, pricing, and closure.
• Platform Positioning & Design-In:
  Position industrial controls and automation solutions—including PLCs, HMIs, drives, motion, safety, and industrial networking—within OEM machine architectures to support scalable designs.
• Sales Team Partnership & OEM Support:
  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.
• Market & Competitive Awareness:
  Maintain awareness of OEM market trends, machine standards, and competitive automation platforms to strengthen solution positioning and customer value.

• Education:
  
  Bachelor's degree in engineering, Business, or related field (or equivalent relevant experience).
• Experience:
  
  5+ years in industrial automation sales, OEM business development, or technical sales. Experience working with machine builders or OEM customers preferred.
• Technical Knowledge:
  Working knowledge of industrial automation technologies including PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, motion control, and industrial communications. Familiarity with leading automation platforms and competitive solutions.
• Professional
  
  Skills:
  
  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.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) statements apply. Sonepar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, sex, age, disability, or other protected characteristics. Reasonable accommodations available. Contact recruiting for accommodations.