Minneapolis - Application Specialist
Territory: Minneapolis
About the role
As an Application Specialist, your primary responsibility is to provide technical expertise, support, and guidance to clients in implementing industrial automation solutions. You will serve as a subject matter expert, assisting clients in optimizing their manufacturing processes, improving efficiency, and leveraging automation technologies effectively.
Responsibilities
- Participate in monthly conference call and provide application success stories, share and distribute details to branch team
- Focus on identifying and closing major revenue producing projects
- Be involved with key accounts and their projects directly, including being acquainted with the various buying influences at these accounts and the technical requirements for the introduction of specific SMC product
- Identify all specifications and regulatory needs at the customer level; and be able to relay their needs accurately and completely to the appropriate SMC Engineer or Product Specialist
- Provide continuous training to sales employees, customers and distributors on products and applications; this may include assisting the SMC training group with local presentations of training courses, with regular cadence
- Deliver training sessions and workshops to clients' engineering and operations teams on the use and maintenance of automation systems
- Document and monitor sales activity in SMC’s SalesConnect system, including meetings and opportunities as invited user or team member to the respective CRM entry
- Assist sales employees in detailed technical presentations to all levels of customers, lunch & learns, tent shows, mini panel expos, etc.
- Successfully complete other duties as prescribed by sales management as necessary
- Collaborate with clients to understand their unique manufacturing processes, challenges, and automation objectives
- Work closely with clients and internal engineering teams to design, configure, and customize automation solutions
- Stay abreast of competitive outlook, assisting with gap analysis, industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in industrial automation
- Identify opportunities for process improvements and innovation within client operations, recommending new automation solutions or enhancements
- Collaborate with product development teams to provide feedback and insights for future product enhancements or new product development
- Provide guidance and best practices for operating, monitoring, and troubleshooting industrial automation equipment and software
- Provide technical support to clients during the implementation phase, addressing system configuration, integration, and performance issues
Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree, or equivalent work experience
- Advanced industrial automation product and application experience with SMC or equivalent industry
- Experience with or knowledge of competitive product and applications
- Demonstrated ability to correctly apply and implement our newest “high tech” products
- Extensive SMC Application knowledge or equivalent industry
- Extensive experience with various manufacturing products and processes, including (but not limited to) the following: packaging, electronics, food, chemical, automotive and medical
- Fluid Power Pneumatic Specialist Certification preferred
- Proficient in CRM and the use of computers and ability to learn new programs and tools as required
- Clean driving record
- Physically capable of lifting SMC products and displays up to 50 lbs.
- Fast paced environment (includes both office and field work)
- Travel with some extended stay away from home
Benefits
SMC offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees, including medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) retirement savings; paid time off and paid holidays; life and disability insurance; and other employee benefits and programs.
Pay
The expected salary range for this position is $74,259–$114,648 annually. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, skills, qualifications, geographic location, and other job-related factors. This position is also eligible to participate in SMC's Sales Incentive Program (SIP) and includes a company-provided vehicle with company-paid maintenance and fuel.