Business Development Manager

Our client is a well-established contract manufacturer producing a range of electro-mechanical assemblies with a unique business unit specializing in water treatment systems.  They need a Business Development Manager of the water treatment industry to help them grow.  The focus of the role it to drive technical sales and new business growth from initial lead generation through closed sales across OEM, distributor, dealer, and private-label accounts, combining water treatment expertise with disciplined project management and CRM use.

You will report to the general manager.

Benefits:

• 2% to 3% commission on all sales, depending on margin, for 24 months (expect $20K to $40K the first year and significantly more after that)
• Health and Dental Insurance
• Life and disability insurance
• 401K with company match 
• paid holidays and vacation time
• Working from home when not traveling

What you will be doing:

Sales & Business Development:

• Own the full sales lifecycle—including lead generation, sample testing, quotations, and commercial proposals—while building new OEM, distributor, dealer, plumbing, and private-label accounts.
• Maintain an active, qualified Salesforce CRM pipeline with accurate stages, values, and close dates to support growth objectives.

Technical & Account Management:

• Serve as the technical expert for water softeners, filtration, reverse osmosis, control valves, tanks, and media, assisting customers with product selection, application testing, and troubleshooting.
• Manage key customer relationships through regular reviews, identifying expansion opportunities and translating customer needs into internal technical requirements.  They have new products that they are introducing to the marketplace. 

Internal Coordination & Strategy:

• Coordinate customer requirements, forecasts, and supply/timing risks with Engineering, Product Management, Operations, Purchasing, Quality, and Customer Service.
• Participate in account reviews with the General Manager to highlight key priorities and risks.
• Travel 30% 50% for customer visits, supplier meetings, and trade shows.
• Utilize AI productivity tools for research, planning, and market trend tracking.

What they are looking for:

• 5+ years professional experience working with residential/light commercial water treatment equipment sale, with and possessing technical knowledge including water chemistry, applications, and equipment sizing.
• Proven track record in full-cycle sales and customer relationship management.
• Strong organizational, communication, and follow-through skills.
• Proficiency in Salesforce CRM and AI productivity tools.
• Willingness to travel up to 50% to visit customers and trade shows.

Preferred Qualities:

• Hands-on expertise with softeners, filtration, RO, control valves, tanks, and media.
• Existing relationships and experience selling to OEMs, distributors, dealers, or private-label customers.
• WQA education, certification, or industry involvement.

Measurements of Success:

• Conversion of qualified leads into closed sales and achievement of annual revenue growth objectives.
• Qualified pipeline development, consistent opportunity follow-through, and Salesforce accuracy.
• Growth, retention, and satisfaction of key customer accounts.
• Quality of planning, forecasting, and cross-functional coordination.