Business Development Manager

Gradel Professional Search; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Gradel Professional Search client is a growing contract manufacturer specializing in precision metal fabrication, stamping, welding, and complex assemblies. They seek a quota-carrying Business Development Manager to build a pipeline across critical infrastructure, data center, and aerospace markets.

You will own the annual new-business quota, develop OEM relationships, and lead opportunities from initial engagement through production launch, coordinating with engineering, operations, and

Qualifications

• 5+ years of quota-based business development or technical sales experience in contract manufacturing.
• Proven track record meeting or exceeding new-business sales quotas.
• Experience selling into critical infrastructure, data centers, aerospace, or related markets.
• Ability to read customer drawings, specs, quality requirements, and production volumes.

Responsibilities

• Own and achieve an annual new-business sales quota.
• Develop and execute a business development plan for infrastructure, data center, and aerospace customers.
• Build a qualified pipeline through prospecting, networking, and outreach.
• Develop relationships with engineering, sourcing, program management, operations, and executives.
• Lead opportunities from RFQ through quotation, negotiation, award, and production launch.
• Maintain accurate pipeline, forecasts, and account plans.
• Collaborate with engineering and operations to ensure manufacturability and launch readiness.
• Serve as primary customer contact during new product introduction and production ramp.

Skills

Quota-based sales

Relationship development

Negotiation

Prospecting

Presentation

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

Our client is a growing contract manufacturer specializing in precision metal fabrication, stamping, welding, and complex assemblies. They are seeking a quota-carrying Business Development Manager to drive new business across the critical infrastructure, data center, and aerospace markets. This is a hunter-focused role responsible for building a pipeline, developing OEM and Tier supplier relationships, and leading opportunities from initial engagement through production launch.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and achieve an annual new-business sales quota.
• Develop and execute a business development plan targeting critical infrastructure, data center, and aerospace customers.
• Build a qualified pipeline through prospecting, networking, industry relationships, and targeted outreach.
• Develop relationships with engineering, sourcing, program management, operations, and executive decision-makers.
• Position the company’s precision fabrication, stamping, welding, and complex assembly capabilities around customer design, quality, cost, and production requirements.
• Lead opportunities from initial qualification and RFQ through quotation, negotiation, contract award, and production handoff.
• Maintain accurate pipeline, revenue forecasts, activity metrics, and account plans.
• Review customer drawings, specifications, volumes, and program requirements with engineering and operations to develop manufacturable solutions.
• Work with engineering, quality, operations, and supply chain to confirm capability, capacity, lead times, and launch readiness.
• Serve as the primary customer contact during new product introduction and ensure a smooth transition into production and account management.
• Represent the company at relevant industry events, trade shows, and customer meetings.

Requirements

• 5+ years of quota based business development or technical sales experience in contract manufacturing.
• Documented success meeting or exceeding new-business sales quotas.
• Experience winning business in critical infrastructure, data centers, aerospace, or related markets.
• Knowledge of precision sheet metal fabrication, stamping, welding, or complex assemblies.
• Experience managing opportunities from prospecting through quotation, negotiation, award, and program launch.
• Ability to understand customer drawings, specifications, quality requirements, and production volumes.
• Experience with ERP or MRP systems, quoting, sales forecasting, and pipeline management.
• Strong presentation, negotiation, communication, and relationship-development skills.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred; equivalent industry experience considered.
• Ability to meet applicable export-control requirements when required.

Relationships. Guidance. Success.

We work with Fortune 500 companies, global enterprises, private equity-backed organizations, and growth-oriented manufacturers, navigating hiring across complex operational and technical environments.