Business Development Manager

LHH; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

LHH in Detroit, MI is seeking a Business Development Manager to identify, develop, and secure new business opportunities while expanding key customer relationships. You will collaborate with internal sales, operations, and leadership to craft solutions that meet manufacturing requirements and support revenue goals.

The ideal candidate brings steel industry know-how, technical sales expertise, and strong communication skills to negotiate and drive the full sales cycle from first contact to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of progressive sales, business development, account management or related commercial experience.
• Experience within steel, metals, manufacturing, industrial, or related B2B environment strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success developing new business and expanding existing customer relationships.
• Strong understanding of industrial products, manufacturing processes, and production methods.
• Ability to translate technical customer requirements into practical commercial solutions.
• Exceptional verbal, written, presentation and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong negotiation and relationship-management capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Identify, develop, and secure new business opportunities within targeted markets and customer segments.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with existing customers while identifying opportunities for account growth and expansion.
• Prospect for new customers through networking, market research, referrals, industry contacts, and other business development strategies.
• Meet with prospective and existing customers to understand their requirements, challenges, and purchasing objectives.
• Develop and present customized solutions, proposals, and presentations that align company capabilities with customer needs.
• Partner with internal teams to ensure customer requirements can be effectively supported.
• Monitor sales activity, pipeline development, revenue opportunities, and profitability objectives.
• Research market conditions, industry trends, competitors, and emerging opportunities to identify growth areas.
• Identify new markets, applications, and segments where products and processing capabilities provide value.
• Negotiate commercial terms and move opportunities through the sales cycle.
• Strengthen relationships to increase lead generation, market share, and customer retention.
• Maintain understanding of products, services, production capabilities, competitive position, and value proposition.
• Track and communicate business development activity and market intelligence to leadership.
• Represent the company professionally at meetings, events, and trade shows.

Skills

Steel industry knowledge

Technical sales

Relationship building

Business development

Account management

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Engineering

Job description

The Business Development Manager will be responsible for identifying, developing, and securing new business opportunities while maintaining and expanding key customer relationships. This individual will work closely with internal sales, operations, and leadership teams to develop solutions that meet customer requirements while supporting revenue and profitability objectives.

The ideal candidate will bring a combination of steel industry knowledge, technical sales expertise, relationship-building ability, and business development experience. This person should be comfortable engaging with customers, understanding their manufacturing and material requirements, presenting solutions, negotiating opportunities, and driving the sales process from initial contact through implementation.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify, develop, and secure new business opportunities within targeted markets and customer segments.


• Develop and maintain strong relationships with existing customers while identifying opportunities for account growth and expansion.


• Prospect for new customers through networking, market research, referrals, industry contacts, and other business development strategies.


• Meet directly with prospective and existing customers to understand their requirements, challenges, and purchasing objectives.


• Develop and present customized solutions, proposals, and presentations that align company capabilities with customer needs.


• Partner with internal sales, operations, engineering, and leadership teams to ensure customer requirements can be effectively supported.


• Monitor sales activity, pipeline development, revenue opportunities, and profitability objectives.


• Research market conditions, industry trends, competitors, and emerging opportunities to identify areas for growth.


• Identify new markets, applications, and customer segments where the company's products and processing capabilities can provide value.


• Negotiate commercial terms and work collaboratively to move opportunities through the sales cycle.


• Strengthen internal and external relationships to increase lead generation, market share, and customer retention.


• Maintain a strong understanding of the company's products, services, production capabilities, competitive position, and overall value proposition.


• Track and communicate business development activity, opportunities, customer feedback, and market intelligence to company leadership.


• Represent the company professionally at customer meetings, industry events, trade shows, and other business development activities.


• Support the continued development and execution of sales and marketing strategies designed to achieve company growth objectives.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will be a proactive, relationship-driven sales professional who combines strong business development capabilities with an understanding of steel, metal processing, manufacturing, or a closely related industrial environment.

The individual should be comfortable working independently to identify opportunities while also collaborating closely with internal teams to develop technically and commercially viable solutions for customers.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Engineering, or a related field preferred.


• 5+ years of progressive sales, business development, account management, or related commercial experience.


• Experience within the steel, metals, manufacturing, industrial, or related B2B environment strongly preferred.


• Demonstrated success developing new business and expanding existing customer relationships.


• Strong understanding of industrial products, manufacturing processes, and/or production methods.


• Ability to understand technical customer requirements and translate them into practical commercial solutions.


• Exceptional verbal, written, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.


• Strong negotiation and relationship-management capabilities.


• Demonstrated business and financial acumen, including an understanding of revenue, margins, pricing, and profitability.


• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple opportunities and priorities simultaneously.


• Ability to conduct market research, analyze trends, identify opportunities, and develop actionable business strategies.


• Self-motivated and proactive approach with the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and evolving environment.


• Ability to build credibility and strong relationships with customers, prospects, internal stakeholders, and senior leadership.