Business Development Manager

Plastic Executive Recruiters; Edwardsburg (MI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Custom Plastics Manufacturing, a contract manufacturer serving OEM markets across North America, is seeking a Business Development Manager to drive new business growth.

The role focuses on selling engineered plastics solutions, developing customer relationships, coordinating with Engineering and Operations, and guiding programs from concept to production. Initial onsite presence preferred, then flexible work arrangement with cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• Five or more years of business development or technical sales experience within custom plastics manufacturing, contract manufacturing, or a related engineered manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop new business opportunities within OEM and industrial manufacturing markets.
• Build and maintain a qualified sales pipeline through prospecting, networking, customer visits, and strategic account development.
• Expand relationships with existing customers while identifying additional applications and programs.
• Develop commercial proposals, pricing strategies, and contract manufacturing opportunities.
• Manage the sales process from initial opportunity through production launch.

Skills

Consultative selling

Relationship management

Technical selling

Market development

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Engineering/Marketing

Tools

CRM software

Job description

Custom Plastics Manufacturing | Contract Manufacturing | OEM Markets

A custom plastics manufacturer is seeking a Business Development Manager to drive new business growth across North America. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys developing new customer relationships, identifying manufacturing opportunities, and working closely with engineering and operations to bring new programs from concept through production.

This position focuses on selling custom manufacturing solutions—not catalog products—to OEM customers requiring engineered plastic components and assemblies. Success requires understanding manufacturing capabilities, managing complex sales opportunities, and collaborating internally to develop competitive solutions.

This is a highly visible role with the opportunity to influence commercial strategy while remaining actively engaged with customers and prospects.

This position offers a collaborative manufacturing environment with regular interaction between Sales, Engineering, Estimating, Operations, and Customer Service. An initial onsite presence is preferred to build relationships and develop a strong understanding of the company's capabilities before transitioning to a more flexible work arrangement.

Responsibilities

• Develop new business opportunities within OEM and industrial manufacturing markets.
• Build and maintain a qualified sales pipeline through prospecting, networking, customer visits, and strategic account development.
• Expand relationships with existing customers while identifying additional applications and programs.
• Develop commercial proposals, pricing strategies, and contract manufacturing opportunities.
• Manage the sales process from initial opportunity through production launch.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Estimating to review customer drawings, specifications, and technical requirements.
• Coordinate internally with Operations, Customer Service, and Manufacturing to ensure successful program execution.
• Track pipeline activity, forecasts, and sales performance through CRM.
• Support sales strategy, market development initiatives, and territory planning.
• Maintain relationships with independent manufacturers' representatives where applicable.
• Travel approximately 10-20%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Marketing, or a related field preferred.
• Five or more years of business development or technical sales experience within custom plastics manufacturing, contract manufacturing, or a related engineered manufacturing environment.
• Experience selling one or more of the following manufacturing processes is strongly preferred: Blow molding, Injection molding, Thermoforming, Extrusion, Rotational molding, Custom plastics manufacturing
• Experience selling engineered components or contract manufacturing services to OEM customers.
• Demonstrated success generating new business through consultative, solution-based selling.
• Ability to understand engineering drawings, manufacturing specifications, and customer requirements.
• Experience preparing quotations, negotiating commercial agreements, and managing complex sales opportunities.
• Strong collaboration skills with engineering, manufacturing, and operations teams.
• Experience using CRM systems, forecasting, and pipeline management.
• Willingness to travel approximately 10-20%.

Blow Molding | Blow Mold Manufacturing | Contract Blow Molding | Blow Molded Products | Plastic Blow Molding | HDPE | High Density Polyethylene | Plastics Manufacturing | Plastic Products | Plastic Components | Industrial Plastics | Contract Manufacturing | Plastic Fabrication | Rotational Molding | Injection Molding | Extrusion | Thermoforming | Resin Processing | Polymer Manufacturing | OEM Manufacturing | Pricing Strategy | Contract Negotiation | Product Development