Automation Sales Engineer

Salary: Competitive + Bonus + Company Car + Benefits

Are you an experienced technical sales professional with a strong background in the process industries? We are looking for a Technical Sales Engineer to drive sales growth and strengthen customer relationships across the pharmaceutical, biotech, food & beverage, and other process sectors in Ireland.

This role combines hands-on technical expertise, customer relationship management, and team leadership responsibilities, offering the opportunity to lead a small sales team while driving business development in a fast-growing sector.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage and grow a portfolio of key process industry customers, identifying opportunities to increase sales and profitability.
• Take ownership of the full customer lifecycle: from identifying leads, presenting solutions, to converting opportunities and managing orders.
• Act as the internal Process Safety and Automation expert, supporting both customers and colleagues with technical guidance.
• Lead and motivate a team of sales professionals, including external sales engineers and internal support staff, overseeing performance management, development, and recruitment.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on marketing, business development, and sales initiatives.
• Maintain accurate customer records in CRM systems and generate sales reports as required.
• Travel across Ireland as required, with occasional travel to the UK and overseas.

Requirements:

• Minimum 5 years' experience in technical sales
• Proven track record in selling into pharmaceutical, biotech, food & beverage, or related process industries.
• Strong technical knowledge of process automation systems, including PLCs, control systems, safety relays, distributed control systems, and industrial security solutions.
• Experience managing multiple customer accounts (~€2m p.a.) and leading sales teams.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to discuss projects from the shop floor to boardroom.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and negotiation skills.
• Self-motivated, proactive, and able to work independently while collaborating effectively with a team.
• Full, clean driving license and willingness to travel.
• 3rd-level qualification in Sales, Engineering, or a related field.

Desirable:

• Familiarity with industrial safety regulations and standards (IEC61511, Machinery Directive).
• Experience using SAP or similar sales/business tools.
• Established network within the pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, or food & beverage sectors.
• Postgraduate business or commercial qualification.

What's on Offer:

• Competitive salary with performance bonus
• Company car & fuel card
• Flexible working and work-from-home options
• Private healthcare allowance
• Pension plan and dependent benefits
• Additional leave and employee assistance programs