Industrial Automation Sales Manager
Posted Sep 16, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026
Likely interview questions for this role
Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.
About your past
Tell me about a time you led a team of technical people who knew more about the product than you did.
What they are checking: Whether they can lead experts with respect while still setting direction and holding people accountable.
Tell me about a new automation customer you developed from scratch. How did it start?
What they are checking: Whether they have actually opened new accounts, since business development is a main duty of this role.
What would you do
How would you build an automation business plan for the Green Bay territory in your first year?
What they are checking: Whether they can turn market knowledge into a concrete district plan with targets and tactics.
A big manufacturer wants a solution from a supplier that Graybar does not carry. How do you respond?
What they are checking: Whether they can find a creative path that keeps the customer while staying aligned with key supplier partners.
One of your sales engineers is great technically but weak with customers. How would you develop them?
What they are checking: Whether they can coach soft skills and build the automation team the posting describes.
How would you train branch sales staff so they can spot automation opportunities in their own accounts?
What they are checking: Whether they can spread automation knowledge across the district through tools and training programs.
About the work
Tell me about the automation and control products you have sold or supported, such as PLCs, drives or HMIs.
What they are checking: How deep their automation knowledge goes, since they will lead technical specialists and sales engineers.
What does it mean to drive specifications, and how have you gotten your products written into a project spec?
What they are checking: Whether they know how to influence engineers and integrators early, which decides who wins automation orders.
How do you build pre-sale and post-sale support so customers keep coming back?
What they are checking: Whether they see service after the order as part of winning the next automation project.
What trends in industrial automation do you think will matter most to manufacturers in this region?
What they are checking: Whether they follow the market closely enough to spot opportunities and risks for the district.
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Practice this out loudThe full job description
As published by Graybar.