Sales and Management Trainee

Job Description

Sales and Management Trainee – COMET | Applied Industrial Technologies

The Tone:
This is a full-time role at Applied Industrial Technologies, located at various service center locations across the company’s footprint. Applied Industrial Technologies, founded in 1923, stands as a leading value-added distributor and technical solutions provider specializing in industrial motion, fluid power, flow control, automation technologies, and related maintenance supplies. This specific opportunity offers a challenging entry point into the sales and distribution of industrial components, designed to equip you with foundational knowledge from the ground up through its award-winning COMET program. Joining an organization with a strong performance and growth trajectory, this role is for individuals seeking a bright future within a company that deeply believes in developing its people, fostering an environment where fresh ideas and a passion for excellence are encouraged and rewarded.

The TL;DR
• Role: Early Career
• Type: Full-time
• Location: In-person, various service center locations

• Mission: Develop into a sales and management professional through a comprehensive training program to contribute to the company’s growth.

What You’ll Actually Do
• Training: Engage in a comprehensive 10-month personalized Career Opportunity and Management Employment Training (COMET) program, designed to fast-track your understanding of the industrial components sales and distribution business.
• Skill Development: Receive targeted product training combined with crucial soft skills development in sales, effective communications, and customer service excellence.
• Learning Methodologies: Participate in diverse training formats, including individualized coaching by experienced managers and peers, small group sessions, web-based learning modules, and hands-on, on-the-job experiences.
• Operational Immersion: Become familiar with Applied’s core sales and operations processes, utilize essential company technology, and integrate into a strong company culture emphasizing customer satisfaction, personal mastery, and collaborative team contributions.
• Career Progression: Lay the groundwork for a successful career path that has historically led to roles such as sales professionals, local managers, national account managers, regional managers, and even vice presidents within Applied.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Possess a Bachelor’s degree, indicating foundational academic achievement for this entry-level career opportunity.
• Experience: Maintain a valid driver’s license alongside a clean driving record, essential for potential travel associated with sales and customer interactions.
• Skills: Demonstrate a strong desire to build a career in sales, coupled with a results-oriented mindset, keen attention to detail, and effective time management abilities.
• Bonus: A Bachelor’s degree specifically in Business, Engineering Technology, or Communications is preferred; prior internship or related work experience in a customer-facing role; proven leadership skills; or a mechanical interest.