Grow Our Own (GO2) Industrial Sales Development Program

Job Description

Industrial Sales Development Program – Account Manager Trainee | SunSource

The Tone:
This is a full-time development program at SunSource, located in sales development hubs such as Chicago, Houston, Minneapolis, and other company locations, with required relocation. SunSource and its family of companies are one of North America’s leading value-add industrial distribution companies, employing over 4,000 individuals across 270+ locations. This role is a significant investment in developing recent graduates and early-career professionals, providing a structured path to a full-time Account Manager position where you will build customer relationships and solve complex industrial challenges.

The TL;DR
• Role: Development Program
• Type: Full-time
• Location: In-person Chicago, Houston, Minneapolis, and other company locations, with required relocation
• Pay: $50,000–$65,000 yearly
• Mission: To develop recent graduates and early-career professionals into successful industrial sales Account Managers by providing comprehensive training and real-world experience.

What You’ll Actually Do
• Participate: Engage in a structured 12-month training program at one of the designated sales development hubs.
• Learn: Master consultative outside sales, territory management, and customer relationship development techniques.
• Collaborate: Work alongside experienced Account Managers during customer visits and joint sales calls to gain practical insights.
• Build: Cultivate relationships with new and existing customers and formulate product recommendations and technical solutions that enhance productivity.
• Practice: Gain hands-on experience with prospecting, quoting, negotiating, and successfully closing business transactions.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Entry-Level. Associate, technical, or bachelor’s degree in Industrial Distribution, Engineering, Business, Supply Chain, Sales, Manufacturing Technology, or a related field is preferred.
• Experience: No prior industrial sales experience is required.
• Skills: Commitment to an outside sales career; mechanical curiosity and an interest in learning how industrial systems and equipment work; strong communication and interpersonal skills; competitive mindset, strong work ethic, and a desire to succeed in a performance-driven environment.
• Bonus: Internship experience in manufacturing, distribution, engineering, customer service, or sales; ability to begin employment in Summer, Fall, or Winter 2026; valid driver’s license and ability to travel as needed, including occasional overnight travel; willingness to relocate for approximately 12 months during training and again for permanent placement upon program completion.