Program Manager - Early Career Sales Development Program

Addison, IL 60101
SunSource – Grow Our Own Sales Development Program /
Grow Our Own Sales Development Program /
On-site
SunSource and its family of companies represent 200+ locations and 3,000+ employees making up one of North America’s leading value-add industrial distribution companies.  We provide customers with products and solutions within Fluid Power, Fluid Process, Fluid Conveyance, General Industrial Components, and Industrial Service & Repair. www.sun-source.com

The Sales and Development Program Manager is responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing a comprehensive training and development program aimed at nurturing and developing new sales talent within the organization. This role focuses on enhancing the skills, knowledge, and performance of early-career sales professionals, ensuring they are equipped to contribute effectively to the company's growth objectives.

Experience, Education and Skills

    • HS Diploma or Equivalent
    • Bachelor degree preferred (Technical, Marketing or Business); 2 year Technical degree minimum
    • Minimum 5 years of increasingly responsible sales management experience with a proven track record of meeting and exceeding sales goals in an industrial or manufacturing environment preferred. 
    • Previous experience managing a sales development program for entry-level recent graduates is highly preferred.
    • Proven ability to coach, motivate, and manage a sales group to achieve their sales goals is required. 
    • Must be able to influence and persuade. 
    • 10-15% travel required.

Essential Functions

    • Program Development: Design and implement an engaging curriculum that includes sales techniques, product knowledge, customer relationship management, and negotiation skills. Establish clear learning objectives and performance metrics for program participants.
    • Recruitment and Onboarding: Collaborate with the HR team to identify and attract top talent for the program. Conduct onboarding sessions to familiarize new hires with company culture, values, and sales processes.
    • Training and Mentorship: Organize and facilitate training workshops, seminars, and role-playing exercises to enhance participants' sales skills. Pair participants with experienced mentors to provide guidance, support, and real-world insights.
    • Performance Monitoring: Track and assess the progress of program participants through regular evaluations and feedback sessions. Analyze performance data to identify areas for improvement and adjust training strategies accordingly.
    • Collaboration: Work closely with sales leadership to align program objectives with overall business goals and sales strategies. Foster a collaborative environment that encourages knowledge sharing and teamwork among participants. 
    • Continuous Improvement: Gather participant feedback and industry best practices to continuously enhance the program. Stay updated on sales trends and techniques to ensure the program remains relevant and effective.
    • Career Path Development: Assist participants in creating personalized career development plans and provide guidance on potential advancement opportunities within the organization.

Key Competencies

    • Individual Leadership/Influence: Using appropriate interpersonal styles and methods to inspire and guide individuals (subordinates, peers, and superiors) toward goal achievement; modifying behavior to accommodate tasks, situations, and individuals involved.
    • Technical Expertise: Applies and improves extensive or in-depth specialized knowledge, skills and judgment to accomplish a result or to serve one’s “customers” effectively. (Customers can be co-workers, peers or management as well as external consumers of a service).
    • Coaching / Training: Works to improve and reinforce performance of others. Facilitates their skill development by providing clear, behaviorally specific performance feedback and making or eliciting specific suggestions for improvement in a manner that builds confidence and maintains self-esteem.
    • Planning/Organization and Follow Up:  Establish a systematic course of action for self or others to ensure accomplishment of a specific objective. Sets priorities, goals and timetables to achieve maximum productivity.
    • Persuasiveness/Sales Ability: Using appropriate interpersonal styles and communication methods to gain acceptance of an idea, plan, activity, service, or product from prospects and customers.
    • Initiative: Asserting one’s influence over events to achieve goals; self-starting rather than accepting passively; taking action to achieve goals beyond what is required; being proactive.
We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer M/F/V/D. WE PARTICIPATE IN E-Verify. If you are an individual with a disability and require an accommodation to complete the application process, please contact recruiting@sunsrce.com to request reasonable accommodation. Only requests for accommodations in the application process will be returned.    Sun-Source | Privacy Policy