Business Development Associate Jobs in Cleveland, OH

Outside Business Development Representative

Job Summary

The Outside Business Development Representative is responsible for driving sales growth by developing new business opportunities, maintaining strong relationships with existing customers, and promoting the company’s products and solutions within an assigned territory. This role focuses on prospecting, customer outreach, account management, presentations, and follow-up to support customer needs and generate revenue. This is a hybrid, field-based role — representatives are expected to spend as much time as possible in front of customers, with a minimum of two days per week in the office.

Reporting

Reports to: Director of Sales

Supervisory responsibilities: None

Duties / Responsibilities

· Identify, develop, and pursue new business opportunities through prospecting, networking, referrals, and other lead-generation activities.

· Build and maintain a strong pipeline of prospective customers by effectively planning, organizing, and managing daily sales activities.

· Call on and service existing accounts to strengthen relationships, understand customer needs, secure orders, and resolve customer concerns.

· Schedule and conduct meetings, sales calls, and presentations with prospective and existing customers.

· Present and demonstrate company products, services, and solutions in a professional manner, clearly communicating value and benefits based on customer needs.

· Develop and maintain strong, long-term relationships with current customers, past customers, prospects, and industry contacts.

· Keep customers informed of new products, services, enhancements, and other offerings that may support their business needs.

· Partners with internal departments and team members to ensure customer needs are met and to support a positive customer experience.

· Monitor industry trends, market conditions, and competitor activity to identify opportunities for business growth.

· Maintain accurate and timely records of sales activities, including calls, meetings, opportunities, orders, lost business, customer concerns, and follow-up actions.

· Provide regular updates to management regarding sales activity, pipeline status, customer feedback, and territory performance.

· Prepare and submit periodic sales forecasts for assigned accounts and territory.

· Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Skills / Abilities

• Strong sales, prospecting, and business development skills

• Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills

• Proven customer service mindset with a focus on understanding customer needs and providing effective solutions

• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the capacity to manage multiple accounts, prospects, and priorities

• Self-motivated, goal-oriented, and comfortable working independently in an outside sales environment

• Effective negotiation, follow-up, and closing skills

• Knowledge of territory management, pipeline development, and sales forecasting

• Collaborative approach with the ability to work well with internal teams to support customer needs

• Professional demeanor with strong attention to detail and follow-through

• Willingness to stay current on industry trends, market conditions, and competitor activity

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, CRM systems, and other sales tracking tools

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Marketing, Sales, or a related field preferred

• 3–5 years of outside sales, business development, or B2B sales experience required. 5+ years preferred.

• Ability to read 2D prints and drawings required

• Industry experience or product knowledge in industrial components preferred

Physical Requirements

• Extended periods of driving and travel within the assigned territory to meet with customers and prospects

• Frequent walking and standing during customer site visits, including on manufacturing or warehouse floors

• Periodic desk and computer work for quoting, CRM updates, and administrative tasks

• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times (e.g., product samples)

• Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record required

** This role is hybrid. A salesperson will be required to be at the Stow facility two days a week. Other days will **