Sales Development Associate

About the Role

Bunzl Distribution's Sales Development Associate (SDA) Program is designed to accelerate your career through hands-on training, mentorship, and real-world business experience. As a Sales Development Associate, you will join a cohort of peers and participate in an intensive 12-month training program based in St. Louis, Missouri. The goal is to position you to successfully move into a Sales Representative role.

• Location: St. Louis, MO (training period)
• Program Length: 12 Months
• Post-Program Placement: Sales territory assignment anywhere within the United States
• Compensation: Competitive salary and relocation/living stipend for the training period

Key Responsibilities

• Participate in all phases of the Sales Development Associate Program.
• Learn Bunzl's products, customers, distribution operations, and sales processes.
• Develop consultative selling, prospecting, relationship management, and account growth skills.
• Work alongside experienced sales professionals and business leaders to gain hands-on experience.
• Build strong customer relationships through exceptional service and responsiveness.
• Identify opportunities to increase sales and profitability within assigned accounts.
• Present products, promote new solutions, and support customer business growth.
• Collaborate with internal teams including customer service, operations, purchasing, and sales leadership.
• Attend sales meetings, customer visits, training sessions, and professional development activities.
• Successfully complete all program requirements and training milestones.
• Prepare for transition into a field sales territory upon graduation from the program.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Bachelor’s degree required, ideally in Business, Marketing, Professional Selling, Communications, or a related field.
• Expected graduation between December 2026 and May 2027, or recent graduate with a bachelor's degree. The program starts in July 2027.
• Strong interest in building a long-term career in sales.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated leadership through internships, student organizations, athletics, work experience, or community involvement.
• Self-motivated, competitive, and driven to achieve goals.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently while also thriving in a team environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Excel, and Word.
• Willingness to relocate to St. Louis, Missouri for the duration of the training program.
• Willingness to relocate to a sales territory anywhere within the United States upon successful completion of the program.
• Must be able to travel, with overnight stays a minimum of 2-3 nights per week.

Qualifications

• Graduating in 2027 or recent graduate with a bachelor's degree.
• Strong interest in a sales career.
• Leadership experience.
• Adaptability and willingness to relocate.

Why Bunzl?

• Structured sales development curriculum.
• Cohort-based learning with other recent graduates.
• Exposure to leaders and decisionmakers across the business.
• Hands-on sales training and real customer interaction.
• Career path into an outside sales territory and beyond.
• Nationwide opportunities for advancement.
• Comprehensive benefits and employee development programs.
• Opportunity to build a career with a global distribution leader.
• Medical, Dental & Vision Benefits effective the 1st day of the month after 30 days.
• Paid Time Off - Vacation, Sick, Holidays and Personal Time.
• 401K with generous company match.