Founding Sales Development Representative

Clera; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Clera in Austin, TX is seeking a founding SDR to build the U.S. sales pipeline from the ground up, working directly with the CEO to reach waste fleet owners through research-driven outreach rather than high-volume automation.

You will research and craft outreach lists, run discovery calls, book meetings at industry events, and help shape the U.S. sales playbook, with an in-office schedule of 4–5 days per week and eligibility to work in the United States without visa sponsorship.

Qualifications

• 1 to 2 years of B2B sales experience (SDR, BDR, AE, or similar role), ideally selling software.
• Proven outbound prospecting: cold calls, email, and LinkedIn outreach that booked meetings with decision-makers.
• Self-directed approach to research, writing your own outreach and owning a number rather than following sequences handed to you.
• Experience running discovery calls and qualifying B2B prospects.
• Based in the Austin, TX metro or genuinely open to relocating; the role is in-office 4 to 5 days a week.
• Authorized to work in the United States without visa sponsorship.
• Comfort with prospect research tools such as LinkedIn Sales Navigator or similar platforms.
• AI-native mindset: uses AI tools in your own workflow or has sold AI or automation products.
• Prior exposure to waste management, logistics, transportation, or fleet operations is a plus but not required.
• Experience prospecting at industry trade shows or in-person events is a bonus.

Responsibilities

• Research and build outreach lists using cold calls, email, and LinkedIn to connect with fleet owners and operations leads.
• Help define the U.S. target market and prioritize prospects.
• Develop knowledge of waste and trucking industry processes to explain cost savings through better route planning.
• Join every meeting you set, sharpening discovery and qualification skills with the CEO.
• Represent the company at industry events: prospect ahead of time, book meetings on the floor, and follow up.
• Feed market insights back into messaging and qualification criteria to shape the U.S. sales playbook.

Skills

Outbound prospecting

B2B sales

Research & outreach

Discovery calls

Relationship building

Tools

LinkedIn Sales Navigator

Job description

About the Role

This is a founding SDR seat at an early-stage, Y Combinator-backed AI logistics startup focused on the waste management and fleet scheduling space. You will build the U.S. sales pipeline from the ground up, working directly alongside the CEO to reach waste fleet owners through genuine, research-driven outreach rather than high-volume automation.

What You'll Do

• Research and build your own outreach lists, using cold calls, email, and LinkedIn to connect with fleet owners and operations leads.

• Help define the U.S. target market and decide which prospects to prioritize.

• Develop deep knowledge of the waste and trucking industry, including depots, skip hire, roll-offs, and how better route planning drives real cost savings.

• Join every meeting you set, running them alongside the CEO to sharpen discovery and qualification skills.

• Represent the company at industry events: prospect ahead of time, book meetings on the floor, and own follow-up.

• Feed market insights back into messaging and qualification criteria, helping to shape the U.S. sales playbook.

What We're Looking For

• 1 to 2 years of B2B sales experience (SDR, BDR, AE, or similar role), ideally selling software.

• Proven track record of outbound prospecting: cold calls, email, and LinkedIn outreach that booked meetings with decision-makers.

• Self-directed approach to research, writing your own outreach and owning a number rather than following sequences handed to you.

• Experience running discovery calls and qualifying B2B prospects.

• Based in the Austin, TX metro or genuinely open to relocating; the role is in-office 4 to 5 days a week.

• Authorized to work in the United States without visa sponsorship.

• Comfort with prospect research tools such as LinkedIn Sales Navigator or similar platforms.

• AI-native mindset: uses AI tools in your own workflow or has sold AI or automation products.

• Prior exposure to waste management, logistics, transportation, or fleet operations is a plus but not required.

• Experience prospecting at industry trade shows or in-person events is a bonus.

Compensation & Benefits

Base salary: $55,000 to $75,000 annually. On-target earnings: $85,000 to $115,000. No visa sponsorship is available.

Location

On-site in Austin, Texas, 4 to 5 days per week.