Panel Shop Business Developer — Data Center & Industrial

Wesa Automation; Elgin (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Wesa Automation seeks a motivated Account Manager- Panel Shop to expand our control panel fabrication business by acquiring new customers and developing relationships. You will identify opportunities, qualify prospects, and collaborate with estimating and technical teams to craft proposals.

The role focuses on high-volume panel builds for data centers, OEMs, and industrial markets, requiring strong business development skills, clear communication, and a basic understanding of electrical control

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in business development, sales, outside sales, account management, or a related customer-facing role preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to prospect for and develop new business.
• Strong communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Comfortable making cold calls, conducting outreach, networking, and initiating conversations with prospective customers.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently while managing a sales pipeline.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple prospects and opportunities throughout different stages of the sales cycle.
• Ability to understand customer needs and communicate those needs effectively to internal estimating and technical teams.
• Basic understanding of electrical control panels, industrial automation, electrical systems, or manufacturing preferred.
• Experience in data centers, OEM manufacturing, industrial automation, electrical construction, panel fabrication, electrical distribution, or a related industry is a plus.
• Strong follow-up and negotiation skills.
• Willingness to learn technical products, applications, and panel shop capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Identify and develop new business opportunities for the panel shop through proactive prospecting, research, networking, and outreach.
• Research target companies, industries, and upcoming projects to identify potential customers and sales opportunities.
• Establish and develop relationships with building owners, hyperscalers, general contractors, OEMs, engineering firms, and other potential customers.
• Focus on opportunities involving high-volume, repeatable, or standardized control panel builds.
• Engage with customers at various stages of the project lifecycle, including early design/specification and projects with completed designs.
• Build relationships with prospective customers with the goal of becoming a preferred panel fabrication partner.
• Understand customer requirements, project scope, timing, and application to effectively qualify opportunities.
• Work closely with the estimating team to develop project budgets and customer proposals.
• Coordinate internally to ensure proposals accurately reflect customer requirements and project scope.
• Present proposals and serve as the primary point of contact throughout the sales process.
• Follow up consistently on proposals and customer inquiries.
• Coordinate negotiations between customers and internal estimating or technical teams when necessary.
• Maintain ownership of customer relationships after the sale and identify opportunities for repeat and additional business.
• Maintain accurate records of prospects, opportunities, activities, and customer relationships within the company's CRM or sales tracking system.
• Monitor industry and competitive trends to identify new markets and opportunities for growth.

Skills

Business development

Sales

Account management

Cold calling

Communication

Negotiation

Relationship building

Job description

Wesa Automation seeks a motivated Account Manager- Panel Shop to expand our control panel fabrication business by acquiring new customers and developing relationships. You will identify opportunities, qualify prospects, and collaborate with estimating and technical teams to craft proposals.

The role focuses on high-volume panel builds for data centers, OEMs, and industrial markets, requiring strong business development skills, clear communication, and a basic understanding of electrical control