Sales Executive

DECA Manufacturing, Inc; Lexington Township (OH); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

DECA Manufacturing, Inc. is seeking a motivated Sales Executive to drive growth in the Lexington, Ohio area. The role focuses on finding and developing new manufacturing customers, building relationships with engineering and operations teams, and expanding select existing accounts.

You will work with the President/CEO and internal teams, with a hybrid in-office setup and travel to industry events as needed. A proactive hunter mindset and ability to shape DECA's sales approach are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, sales or related field.
• 3–7 years of B2B sales or business development experience.
• Experience selling into manufacturing or industrial environments.
• Experience leveraging CRM to generate leads and manage pipeline.
• Proven prospecting ability beyond inbound leads.

Responsibilities

• Identify and pursue new manufacturing customers.
• Prospect via phone, email, LinkedIn, referrals, and events.
• Build relationships with engineering, purchasing, and operations.
• Qualify opportunities based on fit, revenue, timing.
• Maintain CRM with pipeline details and next steps.
• Develop sales forecasts and provide pipeline updates.
• Attend 2–4 trade shows per year.
• Collaborate with President and teams on meetings, quotes, and negotiations.
• Grow business within select existing accounts.

Skills

Communication skills

Relationship-building

Prospecting

Independence

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, sales or related field

Tools

CRM software

Job description

Since our incorporation in 1976, DECA manufacturing has grown into a trusted future-focused supplier, with a diverse customer base and set of capabilities. We are located in a modern facility in Lexington, Ohio.

From adding sensors and automation, improving back office systems, and strategically building the DECA team; DECA is expanding its footprint, getting noticed, and supporting the local community. Cameron Haring, DECA's President, is a leader in the community and has been recognized by Forbes for how he is investing in DECA.

Core Products:

DECA routinely handles medium to large volume production runs but accommodates smaller volume orders and builds prototypes too. We are able to process a wide range of wire types and connector terminations. Our core specialties include:

• Large wire harness
• Box builds and systems integrations

Position Overview:

DECA Manufacturing is looking for a motivated Sales Executive to help drive our next stage of growth. This is a unique opportunity for someone who has built a foundation in industrial or manufacturing sales and is ready for more ownership.

Today, sales and business development are primarily handled by our President. We have strong customer relationships and significant growth opportunity, but no one dedicated to consistently getting into the market, identifying prospects, opening doors, and developing new business.

The role’s primary focus will be finding and developing new customers. We're looking for someone who enjoys the hunt — researching companies, making connections, starting conversations, asking good questions, and staying with an opportunity until it turns into business.

You'll work directly with our President/CEO and internal technical and operations teams as you learn DECA's business, customers, and manufacturing capabilities. Over time, you'll take increasing ownership of new business development while also helping grow select existing accounts.

For the right person, this is an opportunity to grow with the role. You won't be stepping into a rigid corporate sales structure or inheriting someone else's playbook. You'll have the chance to help shape how DECA approaches sales and business development as the company grows.

Key Responsibilities

• Proactively identify and pursue new customers that align with DECA's manufacturing capabilities.
• Prospect through phone, email, LinkedIn, referrals, networking, industry research, trade shows, and other channels.
• Develop relationships with engineering, purchasing, sourcing, operations, and other customer decision-makers.
• Ask thoughtful questions to understand customer needs, challenges, specifications, and upcoming projects.
• Qualify opportunities based on fit, revenue potential, timing, technical requirements, and likelihood of success.
• Manage opportunities through a 6-18 month sales cycle, maintaining consistent communication and clear next steps.
• Partner with the President and DECA's technical and operations teams on customer meetings, quoting, proposals, and negotiations.
• Identify opportunities to grow business within select existing customer accounts.
• Maintain an organized CRM and pipeline, including opportunity stage, value, next steps, expected timing, and probability.
• Develop sales forecasts and provide regular pipeline updates.
• Attend approximately 2-4 industry trade shows per year, along with periodic customer meetings and industry events.
• As you grow into the role, help improve DECA's prospecting strategy, sales process, messaging, and overall approach to business development.

Candidate Qualifications

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, sales or related field is required.
• Approximately 3-7 years of B2B sales, business development, account management, or related commercial experience preferred.
• Experience successfully selling into manufacturing, commercial, or industrial environments, selling products or services such as manufactured components, plastics, metals, industrial parts, equipment, maintenance/services, contract manufacturing, or similar technical solutions.
• Experience leveraging CRM systems to identify and generate leads, develop new business opportunities, and build and manage a strong sales pipeline.
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to prospect for new business, rather than relying solely on inbound leads or an existing book of accounts.

Skills & Attributes:

• Comfort communicating with engineering, purchasing/procurement, sourcing, operations, and other business and technical stakeholders.
• Ability to learn technical products and manufacturing processes and translate them into meaningful customer solutions.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Persistent, organized, curious, and comfortable working independently.
• Willingness to pick up the phone, make the introduction, ask for the meeting, and follow up.
• Comfortable working in a smaller, entrepreneurial company where you'll have direct access to leadership and the ability to make an impact.

Location & Travel

This position is based at DECA Manufacturing in Lexington, Ohio, near Mansfield. Spending meaningful time in the facility is important — you'll learn our products and capabilities faster by being close to the people who actually make them.

Full-time and primarily in-office is preferred. We are open to a hybrid arrangement for the right candidate, with a minimum of two days per week in the office.

Periodic customer travel and attendance at approximately 2-4 trade shows annually will be required.