Full-Time
Business Development Manager
Updated on 8/20/2026
SunSource
1,001-5,000 employees
Fluid power distribution with engineering support
No salary listed
Phoenix, AZ, USA
Hybrid
Hybrid role in Phoenix; up to 20% travel may be required.
Bachelor's
 Business & Strategy (1) |
|---|
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- At least 5 years of experience in business development, technical sales, or a related role, preferably within industrial automation.
- Strong mechanical and electrical aptitude with a basic understanding of industrial and factory automation.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools, including PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and SharePoint, and CRM software.
- A valid driver's license.
- Research and analyze market trends, set up sales calls, identify customer needs, and monitor competitor activities to uncover business opportunities.
- Prospect potential clients through cold calling, networking, referrals, and industry events.
- Cultivate and maintain relationships with clients, stakeholders, and technology partners.
- Conduct 12–16 in-person sales calls per week, including joint sales activity with technology partner sales representatives when appropriate.
- Develop in-depth knowledge of industrial automation products and services and communicate their value to clients.
- Create and deliver business presentations to showcase products and services and generate client engagements.
- Negotiate terms, pricing, and contracts with clients and close deals to meet sales targets.
- Track and analyze key performance indicators and prepare regular reports to assess progress and inform business decisions.
- Meet monthly with the Area Sales Manager to review the sales pipeline and assess project needs.
- Participate in monthly departmental meetings to discuss sales performance and data.
- Present successful deals to the team and share insights about potential business opportunities.
- Attend product and sales training sessions and travel occasionally as required.
- Collaborate with the marketing team on campaigns and promotional activities to increase brand visibility and attract new clients.
- Participate in process-improvement meetings with supporting teams to streamline and enhance sales operations.
- A bachelor's degree or higher in Business Administration, Marketing, Engineering, or a related technical field.
- Experience within the industrial automation industry, including electrical or pneumatic automation and controls.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to engage diverse audiences and craft professional correspondence.
SunSource distributes fluid power components and systems to OEMs, MROs, and mobile industrial equipment users. It provides design and engineering support, supply chain optimization, productivity solutions, value-added services, and repair capabilities. The products are delivered through a national network with strong local presence, combining technical expertise with customer service to offer cost-effective, maintenance-reducing solutions. SunSource differentiates itself through its long track record (85+ years), comprehensive engineering and repair services, and a focus on helping customers boost productivity while lowering operating costs. The company aims to deliver high-quality products and services, foster growth for its associates and partners, and build lasting customer relationships through technical support and reliable service.
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Windsor, California
Founded
2001
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- CD&R announced SunSource's acquisition on May 20, 2026, validating strategic value.
- SunSource closed Vytl Controls on January 30, 2026, expanding flow-control revenue.
- Vytl broadens exposure to chemical, downstream energy, and marine end markets.
What critics are saying
- CD&R's May 2026 buyout adds leverage and pressure for faster cash generation.
- Vytl integration spans three businesses; failures hit service quality within 12 months.
- Applied Industrial Technologies and Parker Hannifin squeeze margins through broader catalogs and pricing power.
What makes SunSource unique
- MDM ranked SunSource No. 1 in Hose & Accessories, No. 2 in Fluid Power in 2025.
- SunSource runs 240 North American locations, blending local service with national scale.
- Vytl Controls adds valves, actuators, instrumentation, and repair services across industrial end markets.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
Paid Vacation
Paid Sick Leave
Paid Holidays
401(k) Company Match
Tuition Reimbursement
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↑ 5%1 year growth
↑ 5%2 year growth
↑ 5%SunSource acquires Vytl Controls from middleground capital. Vytl was formerly known as PVI Holdings and further strengthens SunSource's flow control capabilities. Fluid power, process, conveyance and industrial automation components distributor SunSource has acquired Vytl Controls Group from private equity firm MiddleGround Capital. MiddleGround announced its sale of Woodlands, TX-based Vytl - previously known as PVI Holdings - in a Jan. 30 news release. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. SunSource actioned the acquisition through an undisclosed subsidiary. Vytl Controls Group operates globally in the distribution, service & repair and design and manufacturing of flow control solutions servicing MRO applications across chemical, downstream energy, marine and other industrial end markets. The company offers both third-party and private lavel products, complemented by in-house engineering and repair services. Vytl operates through three business units: * Setpoint Integrated Solutions, a distributor of valves, actuators, and instrumentation primarily serving the chemical and downstream energy markets; * W&O Supply, a global distributor of technical flow control products and solutions to the military and commercial maritime sectors; and * AT Controls, a designer and manufacturer of valves, actuators, and process control accessories for a wide range of industrial applications. MiddleGround rebranded the company from PVI Holdings to Vytl to unify the company's operations and integrate an improved go-to-market structure. "The Vytl team has effectively operated and integrated these three businesses from a leadership, systems and organizational perspective to expand their collective capabilities," MiddleGround Founding and Managing Partner John Stewart said. "Achieving this outcome amid a complex economic environment reflects the strength of the management team and demonstrates the application of our hands-on, operationally focused investment approach." MiddleGround emphasized its investments in Vytl's centralized technology, strengthened leadership and corporate functions, and standardized processes across operations - positioning Vytl as a comprehensive flow control platform connecting suppliers and customers. "MiddleGround has been a valued partner to Vytl over the past several years," Vytl CEO Matt Bate added. "Their deep operational expertise and strategic guidance have been instrumental in supporting our efforts to strengthen relationships across the process solutions value chain. We're excited to build on this foundation by advancing our unified go-to-market strategy, broadening our product offerings and exploring opportunities in additional end markets and geographies." MiddleGround acquired Vytl in July 2022 through its second fund, MiddleGround Partners II, which closed in August 2021 with $800 million of committed capital. Vytl represents the firm's fifth portfolio company exit since inception and the second exit from MiddleGround Partners II, LP. Solomon Partners served as lead financial advisor to MiddleGround Capital and Vytl Controls Group, with Baird serving as co-advisor and Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP acting as legal counsel. Debevoise & Plimpton LLP acted as legal counsel to SunSource in connection with the transaction. SunSource's national footprint includes more than 240 locations across North America. Founded in 1922, the company was No. 1 on MDM's 2025 Top Distributors List for Hose & Accessories, No. 2 for Fluid Power and No. 15 for Industrial Supplies.
MiddleGround Capital has completed the sale of Vytl Controls Group to an affiliate of SunSource, a value-added industrial distributor. Financial terms were not disclosed. Headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas, Vytl operates globally in distribution, service and manufacturing of flow control solutions serving chemical, energy, marine and industrial markets. The company operates through three business units: Setpoint Integrated Solutions, W&O Supply, and AT Controls. During MiddleGround's ownership, Vytl implemented a unified strategy, centralised technology, strengthened leadership and standardised processes across operations. MiddleGround acquired Vytl in July 2022 through its second fund. This marks MiddleGround's fifth portfolio exit since inception and second from MiddleGround Partners II. Solomon Partners served as lead financial advisor, with Baird as co-advisor.