Business Development Manager

HAHN Group GmbH; Brooklyn Park (MN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Vision Insurance

HSA/FSA Options

Critical Illness Insurance

401K

Vacation/Sick/Holiday

Job summary

HAHN Automation Group US, Inc. in the United States is seeking a results-driven Business Development professional to own hunting new customers in manufacturing and automation sectors across the region.

You will build early relationships with decision-makers, qualify leads, and drive opportunities through RFQ/PO handoffs while collaborating with Engineering, Marketing, and Account Management. The role requires strong B2B sales skills, CRM discipline, and the ability to travel domestically and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with emphasis in Engineering, Business, Marketing, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• 5+ years of successful business development or technical sales experience, preferably in automation, industrial equipment, capital equipment, or manufacturing
• Proven track record of identifying, qualifying, and securing new business while consistently achieving sales targets through a proactive hunting approach
• Strong understanding of complex B2B sales cycles, including prospecting, lead qualification, proposal development, negotiation, and closing
• Demonstrated ability to build strategic relationships with executive decision-makers, technical stakeholders, and key influencers while establishing long‑term customer partnerships
• Strong commercial and business acumen with experience developing pricing strategies, negotiating commercial agreements, and managing customer proposals
• Ability to understand customer technical challenges and collaborate with Engineering and Applications teams to develop value‑driven automation solutions
• Experience conducting market research, analyzing industry trends, and identifying new business opportunities that support strategic growth initiatives
• Proven ability to collaborate cross‑functionally with Marketing, Engineering, Applications, and Account Management to drive customer acquisition and ensure successful opportunity handoffs
• Excellent written and verbal communication, presentation, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non‑technical audiences
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple opportunities, prioritize competing demands, and maintain accurate CRM and pipeline data
• Self‑motivated, results‑oriented professional who thrives in a fast‑paced environment, demonstrates professionalism and integrity
• A commitment to integrity, ethical and economical practices, and the organization’s mission

Responsibilities

• Own new customer acquisition within an assigned industry vertical
• Focus exclusively on Hunting: identifying, opening, and qualifying new customers
• Serve as the primary door-opener into target accounts not currently doing business with HAHN Automation Group
• Develop early relationships with customer decision-makers, influencers, and technical stakeholders
• Proactively identify and research potential leads through various sources
• Own lead qualification
• Collaborate with Marketing to develop and execute targeted campaigns to generate leads
• Responsible for turning leads into qualified RFQs which are owned through the L2Q process
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all lead activity in the CRM system and own the conversion of new leads in the CRM
• Develop offers for customers with target to receive PO. Focus on price setting, negotiation with customer and coverage of legal and commercial factors. Coordinate with Application Engineers.
• Handover of accounts to Account Managers after first PO ensuring a smooth process
• Collaborate with the Regional SVP to define and prioritize new business fields and market segments aligned with the regional strategy
• Develop preliminary go-to-market strategies for identified opportunities, including value propositions, target audience profiles, and potential messaging
• Identify potential strategic partnerships and alliances to accelerate market entry and expand reach
• Conduct thorough market research to identify target industries, key players, emerging trends, and competitive landscape within the region
• Build and maintain a target account list aligned with regional and industry growth strategy
• Analyze market data to identify unmet needs, pain points, and opportunities for HAHN solutions
• Develop and maintain a deep understanding of key regional regulatory environments and industry standards impacting factory automation
• Collaborate with Business Development leadership to define and prioritize new business fields and market segments aligned with the regional strategy
• Develop preliminary go-to-market strategies for identified opportunities, including value propositions, target audience profiles, and potential messaging
• Present findings and recommendations to the Regional SVP and Marketing team in clear, concise reports and presentations
• Support Account Managers by providing insights into target customer needs and challenges
• Assist in identifying key decision-makers and influencers within accounts that are handed over
• Share market intelligence and competitive information with the Account Management team
• Handover of opportunities after RFQ or PO to account management
• Travel required, including overnight travel – potentially domestic and international

Skills

Hunter mentality

B2B sales

Relationship building

Negotiation

CRM proficiency

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

The principal duties will include, but not be limited to:

• Own new customer acquisition within an assigned industry vertical
• Focus exclusively on Hunting: identifying, opening, and qualifying new customers
• Serve as the primary door-opener into target accounts not currently doing business with HAHN Automation Group
• Develop early relationships with customer decision-makers, influencers, and technical stakeholders
• Proactively identify and research potential leads through various sources
• Own lead qualification
• Collaborate with Marketing to develop and execute targeted campaigns to generate leads
• Responsible for turning leads into qualified RFQs which are owned through the L2Q process
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all lead activity in the CRM system and own the conversion of new leads in the CRM
• Develop offers for customers with target to receive PO. Focus on price setting, negotiation with customer and coverage of legal and commercial factors. Coordinate with Application Engineers.
• Handover of accounts to Account Managers after first PO ensuring a smooth process
• Collaborate with the Regional SVP to define and prioritize new business fields and market segments aligned with the regional strategy
• Develop preliminary go-to-market strategies for identified opportunities, including value propositions, target audience profiles, and potential messaging
• Identify potential strategic partnerships and alliances to accelerate market entry and expand reach
• Conduct thorough market research to identify target industries, key players, emerging trends, and competitive landscape within the region
• Build and maintain a target account list aligned with regional and industry growth strategy
• Analyze market data to identify unmet needs, pain points, and opportunities for HAHN solutions
• Develop and maintain a deep understanding of key regional regulatory environments and industry standards impacting factory automation
• Collaborate with Business Development leadership to define and prioritize new business fields and market segments aligned with the regional strategy
• Develop preliminary go-to-market strategies for identified opportunities, including value propositions, target audience profiles, and potential messaging
• Present findings and recommendations to the Regional SVP and Marketing team in clear, concise reports and presentations
• Support Account Managers by providing insights into target customer needs and challenges
• Assist in identifying key decision-makers and influencers within accounts that are handed over
• Share market intelligence and competitive information with the Account Management team
• Handover of opportunities after RFQ or PO to account management
• Travel required, including overnight travel – potentially domestic and international

Requirements

Education: Bachelor’s degree with emphasis in Engineering, Business, Marketing, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Experience: 5+ years of successful business development or technical sales experience, preferably in automation, industrial equipment, capital equipment, or manufacturing

Additional skills:

• Proven track record of identifying, qualifying, and securing new business while consistently achieving sales targets through a proactive hunting approach
• Strong understanding of complex B2B sales cycles, including prospecting, lead qualification, proposal development, negotiation, and closing
• Demonstrated ability to build strategic relationships with executive decision-makers, technical stakeholders, and key influencers while establishing long‑term customer partnerships
• Strong commercial and business acumen with experience developing pricing strategies, negotiating commercial agreements, and managing customer proposals
• Ability to understand customer technical challenges and collaborate with Engineering and Applications teams to develop value‑driven automation solutions
• Experience conducting market research, analyzing industry trends, and identifying new business opportunities that support strategic growth initiatives
• Proven ability to collaborate cross‑functionally with Marketing, Engineering, Applications, and Account Management to drive customer acquisition and ensure successful opportunity handoffs
• Excellent written and verbal communication, presentation, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non‑technical audiences
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple opportunities, prioritize competing demands, and maintain accurate CRM and pipeline data
• Self‑motivated, results‑oriented professional who thrives in a fast‑paced environment, demonstrates professionalism and integrity
• A commitment to integrity, ethical and economical practices, and the organization’s mission

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
As a member of HAHN Automation Group US, applicants must be able to interact safely in a manufacturing environment. This includes:

• Full body mobility with the ability to bend, stoop, climb, and lift or move 25 lbs. of weight
• The ability to walk within restricted areas of the company manufacturing plant
• Professional conduct in regards to hygiene and dress
• The ability to read and prepare business documents as well as conduct business over the telephone in a sometimes‑loud environment
• The ability to sit or stand for long periods of time
• The ability to travel to customer, supplier, and/or inter‑company sites via vehicle or airplane (both domestic and international)
• Valid driver’s license with driving record of acceptable risk as defined by HAHN Automation Group
• Must belegally authorized to work for any employer in the United States now and in the future without

HAHN Automation Group US, Inc. offers the following benefits options:

• Medical Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• HSA/FSA Options
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Short-term, Long-term Insurance, & Life Insurance
• 401K
• Vacation/Sick/Holiday

Organisation

The HAHN Automation Group is the global solution partner for factory automation. The company stands for industry-specific know‑how, an extensive project portfolio, and a global organization with a focus on providing service all from a single source. From manual stations to semi‑automated cells and full production lines, 1,800 employees across 22 locations worldwide work on custom solutions. In addition, the digital product portfolio helps manufacturers gain a competitive edge by increasing efficiency and paving the way to a smart factory. Customers in the Automotive, Consumer Goods, Electronics, and MedTech industries have benefited from our expertise for more than 30 years of providing experience and international innovation.