Business Development Manager - Industrial

Claire Plais - Domitille Vielle; United States; Remote; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the industrial and manufacturing construction sectors is seeking an Industrial Sales and Estimating Manager. This pivotal role involves driving growth through strategic sales, estimating, and cultivating client relationships. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical background in construction, along with proven sales experience, to successfully manage projects from proposal to execution.

Qualifications

• 5–7+ years of estimating and sales experience in industrial/manufacturing construction.
• Proven success in crafting and closing competitive bids.
• Strong analytical skills and excellent communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic sales plans within assigned markets.
• Translate technical drawings into accurate proposals.
• Ensure smooth hand-off from Sales to Operations.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

B2B sales instincts

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Estimating and take-off software

Project management tools

Job description

The Industrial Sales and Estimating Manager plays a pivotal role in driving growth within the industrial and manufacturing construction sectors. This role leads the charge in scoping, pricing, and pitching high-impact construction projects while cultivating long-term, trust-based relationships with key clients. Equal parts technical expert, relationship-builder, and strategic thinker, this individual will manage the entire lifecycle from identifying prospects through final proposal delivery and turnover to operations.

The successful candidate combines technical construction knowledge with sales acumen, leading cross-functional efforts to secure new business and position the company as a trusted partner in sectors like Automotive, Battery, Data Centers, and more.

Key Responsibilities:

Sales Strategy & Client Engagement

• Develop and execute strategic sales plans within assigned markets and accounts.
• Identify and engage key stakeholders in target organizations—establish deep, lasting client relationships.
• Attend client meetings, pre-bid conferences, and design reviews to refine scope and address technical concerns.
• Lead marketing and promotional initiatives, working cross-functionally to develop materials aligned with industry needs.

Estimating & Proposal Development

• Translate technical drawings and numerical data into accurate, persuasive proposals.
• Scope, price, and pitch industrial construction projects to maintain a strong sales pipeline.
• Leverage experience in sectors like Automotive, Battery, and Data Center construction to inform pursuit strategy and proposal positioning.
• Analyze architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, and process-equipment drawings to create clear, complete scopes of work.
• Build detailed cost models—including labor, materials, equipment, and subcontractor quotes.
• Assemble complete bid packages with schedules, value-add options, assumptions, exclusions, and clarifications.
• Draft clear, compliant proposals that communicate complex technical information in accessible language for clients and decision-makers.

Subcontractor & Supplier Coordination

• Solicit, evaluate, and negotiate subcontractor and supplier bids for value and reliability.
• Develop and maintain strong vendor relationships to ensure timely, cost-effective pricing.

Sales Analytics & Handoff to Operations

• Track upcoming projects through industry intel and database monitoring.
• Analyze win/loss data to improve estimating and proposal approaches.
• Implement best practices in proposal development, estimating accuracy, and risk mitigation.
• Ensure smooth hand-off from Sales to Operations, setting projects up for successful execution.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related technical field.
• 5–7+ years of estimating and sales experience in industrial/manufacturing or heavy-industrial construction sectors.
• Proven success in crafting and closing competitive, profitable bids.
• Prior experience selling construction services or solutions in manufacturing environments.
• Background in equipment installation, process-plant environments, or value engineering preferred.
• Strong analytical skills—able to dissect complex drawings, spot hidden costs, and model various scenarios.
• Excellent communication skills—capable of writing persuasive proposals and delivering presentations to executive audiences.
• Proactive self-starter who thrives under deadlines in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Solid B2B sales instincts and client management skills.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Experience with estimating and take-off software (e.g., Bluebeam, PlanSwift, Trimble).
• Familiarity with project management tools and CRM platforms.
• Advanced Excel modeling a strong plus.

Certificates & Licenses

• Valid driver’s license with clean driving record required.

Work Environment & Travel

This role may involve travel to client sites, industry events, and project locations. Expect a mix of office-based strategy, client-facing interaction, and field insight.

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