Business Development Manager
Sharpe Engineering & Equipment, Amherst, NY, United States
Overview Sharpe Engineering & Equipment is seeking an experienced Business Development Manager to drive growth by identifying, pursuing, and securing new customer relationships across the food & beverage industry. This outward-facing sales leader will focus on opening doors with prospective clients, developing early-stage opportunities, and expanding Sharpe's footprint across process, packaging, automation, and compliance solutions.
You'll work closely with Engineering, Controls, and Project Management to uncover client needs, shape high-level technical solutions, and transition new customers into long-term partnerships. This role is critical to Sharpe's growth strategy and reflects our Core Values: Integrity, Collaboration, Responsibility, Commitment to Stakeholders, and People-Centric Focus.
Key Responsibilities New Business Development: Identify, target, and pursue new customer opportunities aligned with Sharpe's ideal client profile
Develop and execute prospecting strategies across targeted markets, identified geographies, and customer segments
Initiate and manage early-stage conversations with decision-makers and influencers
Qualify leads and opportunities based on technical fit, budget, and strategic alignment
Sales Pipeline & Opportunity Development Build and maintain a robust pipeline of new business opportunities
Lead discovery meetings to understand customer challenges and identify Sharpe solutions
Partner with technical and engineering teams to develop high-level solution concepts
Advance opportunities through proposal and contract stages
Market & Relationship Development Represent Sharpe at industry events, trade shows, and networking functions
Build relationships with industry partners, vendors, and influencers to generate leads
Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and emerging opportunities
Handoff & Collaboration Successfully transition new clients to an Account Manager - Technical Sales once established
Ensure a smooth handoff with full documentation of client expectations and opportunities
Collaborate closely with internal teams to ensure strong first-project execution
Why Join Sharpe? Sharpe Engineering & Equipment is growing, and this role puts you at the front edge of that growth. As a Business Development Manager, you'll have the freedom, support, and technical backing to open doors, create opportunities, and help shape Sharpe's future client base.
You'll love Sharpe if you:
Thrive on identifying new opportunities and starting relationships from the ground up
Want to sell complex, high-value engineering solutions, not commodity products
Are supported by a respected brand, experienced technical teams, and have a strong delivery reputation
Value autonomy while still working as part of a collaborative, high-performing team
At Sharpe, hunters aren't left on an island. You'll be backed by deep technical expertise, clear handoff processes, and leadership that values smart growth over volume. If you're motivated by building something new, seeing your impact quickly, and contributing to long-term company success, Sharpe offers a powerful platform to win.
Requirements What We're Looking For Bachelor's degree in engineering, Business, or related field preferred
5+ years of experience in business development, technical sales, or consultative selling
Demonstrated success generating new business in food & beverage, manufacturing, or automation industries
Strong hunter mentality with disciplined prospecting and follow-through
Ability to communicate technical concepts at a high level to non-technical stakeholders
Proficiency with CRM tools and pipeline management
Willingness to travel up to 40-50%
Benefits Sharpe Engineering offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, well-being, and work-life balance. Our benefits include paid time off (PTO) plus 10 paid holidays, a flexible work schedule, and medical, dental, and vision insurance. We also provide short-term and long-term disability coverage, as well as life insurance, helping ensure peace of mind for you and your family.
Sharpe Engineering & Equipment is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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You'll work closely with Engineering, Controls, and Project Management to uncover client needs, shape high-level technical solutions, and transition new customers into long-term partnerships. This role is critical to Sharpe's growth strategy and reflects our Core Values: Integrity, Collaboration, Responsibility, Commitment to Stakeholders, and People-Centric Focus.
Key Responsibilities New Business Development: Identify, target, and pursue new customer opportunities aligned with Sharpe's ideal client profile
Develop and execute prospecting strategies across targeted markets, identified geographies, and customer segments
Initiate and manage early-stage conversations with decision-makers and influencers
Qualify leads and opportunities based on technical fit, budget, and strategic alignment
Sales Pipeline & Opportunity Development Build and maintain a robust pipeline of new business opportunities
Lead discovery meetings to understand customer challenges and identify Sharpe solutions
Partner with technical and engineering teams to develop high-level solution concepts
Advance opportunities through proposal and contract stages
Market & Relationship Development Represent Sharpe at industry events, trade shows, and networking functions
Build relationships with industry partners, vendors, and influencers to generate leads
Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and emerging opportunities
Handoff & Collaboration Successfully transition new clients to an Account Manager - Technical Sales once established
Ensure a smooth handoff with full documentation of client expectations and opportunities
Collaborate closely with internal teams to ensure strong first-project execution
Why Join Sharpe? Sharpe Engineering & Equipment is growing, and this role puts you at the front edge of that growth. As a Business Development Manager, you'll have the freedom, support, and technical backing to open doors, create opportunities, and help shape Sharpe's future client base.
You'll love Sharpe if you:
Thrive on identifying new opportunities and starting relationships from the ground up
Want to sell complex, high-value engineering solutions, not commodity products
Are supported by a respected brand, experienced technical teams, and have a strong delivery reputation
Value autonomy while still working as part of a collaborative, high-performing team
At Sharpe, hunters aren't left on an island. You'll be backed by deep technical expertise, clear handoff processes, and leadership that values smart growth over volume. If you're motivated by building something new, seeing your impact quickly, and contributing to long-term company success, Sharpe offers a powerful platform to win.
Requirements What We're Looking For Bachelor's degree in engineering, Business, or related field preferred
5+ years of experience in business development, technical sales, or consultative selling
Demonstrated success generating new business in food & beverage, manufacturing, or automation industries
Strong hunter mentality with disciplined prospecting and follow-through
Ability to communicate technical concepts at a high level to non-technical stakeholders
Proficiency with CRM tools and pipeline management
Willingness to travel up to 40-50%
Benefits Sharpe Engineering offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, well-being, and work-life balance. Our benefits include paid time off (PTO) plus 10 paid holidays, a flexible work schedule, and medical, dental, and vision insurance. We also provide short-term and long-term disability coverage, as well as life insurance, helping ensure peace of mind for you and your family.
Sharpe Engineering & Equipment is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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