Sales Development Manager

Danfoss; Ames (IA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentoring and global opportunities

Flexible work arrangement

Inclusive work environment

401k matching and annual bonus

Paid vacation

Job summary

Danfoss seeks a Sales Development Manager to architect and lead complex, multi-technology deals in the off-highway and mobile machinery sectors. You will drive business development from early conversations to commercial agreement, partnering with account managers to meet customer needs and demonstrate Danfoss's capabilities in hydraulics, software, electrification, and autonomy.

You will connect customer challenges to cross-functional teams, build sustained relationships, and travel up to 40% to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field; 5+ years in technical sales or business development.
• Proven track record developing complex opportunities and managing long-term relationships.
• Strong understanding of off-highway/mobile machinery markets preferred.
• Working knowledge of hydraulics, electronic controls, software, or electrification.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management across all org levels.

Responsibilities

• Lead the commercial process for complex system solutions from opportunity identification to final agreement.
• Partner with customers and account managers to uncover business needs and position Danfoss as the solution provider.
• Translate customer requirements into winning technical concepts and align cross-functional teams.
• Orchestrate internal teams (Engineering, Product Management, Sales) for a seamless customer experience.
• Develop and manage a pipeline of strategic opportunities in off-highway and mobile machinery markets.

Skills

Technical sales

Business development

Solution selling

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or related field

Tools

CRM systems

Microsoft Excel

Job description

The Impact You'll Make

Are you a commercial leader who thinks like an engineer? As our new Sales Development Manager, you will be the architect of our most complex and strategic deals, translating our customers' toughest challenges into innovative, multi-technology system solutions.

This is not a traditional sales role. You will be a true business developer, leading opportunities from the earliest customer conversations all the way through to commercial agreement. You will be the central hub, connecting customer needs with Danfoss’s deep capabilities in hydraulics, software, electrification, and autonomy.

Your work will directly shape the future of the off-highway industry. You will build a pipeline of high-value, strategic partnerships that deliver sustainable growth and solidify Danfoss’s position as a premier solutions provider. You may travel up to 40% of the time.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead the entire commercial process for complex system solutions, from identifying the opportunity and building the business case to negotiating the final agreement.
• Act as a key strategic partner to our customers, working alongside our Account Managers to uncover their deepest business needs and position Danfoss as the ideal solutions provider.
• Translate complex customer requirements into winning technical concepts, aligning our cross-functional teams around a unified vision and value proposition.
• Serve as the central orchestrator for our internal teams, ensuring that Engineering, Product Management, and Sales are all aligned to deliver a seamless customer experience.
• Develop and manage a robust pipeline of strategic, high-value opportunities in the off-highway and mobile machinery markets.

What We're Looking For

• A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field, with at least 5 years of experience in technical sales, business development, or solution sales.
• A proven track record of developing complex customer opportunities, building compelling business cases, and managing long-term commercial relationships.
• A strong understanding of the off-highway or mobile machinery market is highly preferred.
• A working knowledge of complex systems involving hydraulics, electronic controls, software, or electrification.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build relationships and create alignment across all levels of an organization.

What You'll Get From Us

• We promote from within and support your learning with mentoring, training, and access to global opportunities.
• You’ll have flexibility, autonomy, and support to do your best work while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Your well-being matters to us.
• We strive to create an inclusive work environment where people of all backgrounds are respected, and valued for who they are.
• You’ll receive benefits like 401k matching, annual bonus, paid vacation, personal insurance, and more. These vary by country and contract, but they’re worth asking about—we think they’re pretty great.

Our Commitment to Transparency

Salary ranges listed reflect only primary location and currency. For local salary ranges and specific benefits in your preferred hiring location, please ask your Talent Acquisition representative for more information.

The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Any benefits listed do not promise or guarantee any particular benefit or specific action. They may depend on country or contract specifics and are subject to change at any time without prior notice.

Want to know more? Please visit our FAQ Page.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other protected category.