Capability Development Manager Jobs in Grand Rapids, MI

Business Development Sales Specialist

Baker Engineering LLC | Muskegon, Michigan | Full-Time (Hybrid/Remote) 40-50% travel

Reports To: Vice President of Sales

ABOUT BAKER ENGINEERING

Baker Engineering is a precision machining and assembly partner serving Aerospace, Defense, Automotive and Medical OEMs. Our 30,000-square-foot Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Muskegon supports mid- to high-volume production with advanced CNC milling, turning and 5-axis capabilities, complex material expertise and AS9100D/ISO 9001 quality systems. BE is a division of Waséyabek Development Company, LLC that is wholly owned by the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, a Federally recognized Indian Tribe.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Business Development Sales Engineer is responsible for generating profitable growth by identifying target customers, developing qualified opportunities, securing customer RFQs and converting those opportunities into accepted purchase orders. This position combines technical manufacturing knowledge, business development, customer relationship management and strong commercial follow-through.

The Business Development Sales Engineer is also the commercial owner of Baker’s RFQ and quotation process. The individual coordinates sales, estimating, engineering, operations, quality and supply chain inputs to ensure that every qualified opportunity receives a timely, accurate and professional response.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Business Development and Revenue Growth

• Develop and execute a target-account plan focused on customers and programs that align with Baker’s machining, assembly, quality and production capabilities.
• Prospect for new customers and new programs through direct outreach, referrals, customer visits, industry contacts, trade shows, government opportunities and strategic partnerships.
• Generate qualified RFQs from new customers and identify incremental growth opportunities within existing accounts.
• Build relationships with buyers, engineers, sourcing leaders, program managers and executive decision-makers.
• Conduct discovery meetings to understand technical requirements, annual demand, timing, sourcing concerns, quality expectations and commercial priorities.
• Convert qualified opportunities into accepted, profitable customer purchase orders.

RFQ and Quote-Process Ownership

• Own assigned RFQs from receipt through go/no-go, quotation, follow-up, award and operational handoff.
• Enter RFQs into the approved pipeline or CRM system within one business day.
• Coordinate the initial go/no-go decision with operations, engineering, quality and leadership.

Technical and Commercial Responsibilities

• Interpret engineering drawings, specifications, tolerances and GD&T at a level sufficient to lead customer and internal technical discussions.
• Negotiate pricing, tooling, lead times, minimum quantities, payment terms and long-term agreement requirements within approved authority.
• Support customer capability reviews, supplier surveys, facility tours, technical discussions and contract reviews.

Pipeline, Forecasting and Customer Management

• Maintain accurate opportunity values, probabilities, due dates, expected award dates, next actions and customer contacts.
• Maintain sufficient qualified pipeline coverage to support the assigned revenue target.
• Prepare weekly reporting covering RFQ activity, quote status, qualified pipeline, customer actions, purchase-order awards, win/loss reasons and forecasted revenue.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Five or more years of technical sales, sales engineering, business development, manufacturing management or account-development experience in precision manufacturing.
• Ability to read and understand engineering drawings, specifications, tolerances and GD&T.
• Strong customer communication, presentation, negotiation and follow-up skills.

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, manufacturing, business or a related field, or equivalent industry experience.
• Experience selling into Aerospace, Defense, Automotive, Medical or other highly regulated manufacturing markets.
• Familiarity with AS9100, ISO 9001, ITAR, NIST 800-171 or CMMC-related customer requirements.
• Established relationships with OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, government contractors or defense suppliers.

ADDITIONAL POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• Maintain confidentiality of customer, pricing, technical and export-controlled information.
• Comply with Baker policies, quality-system requirements and customer-specific requirements.
• Work effectively in an office and active manufacturing environment.
• Perform other related commercial and customer-development duties as assigned.
• Attend Trade shows/ Conferences/ Business meetings as required for BD activities and customer support

DISCLAIMER

This job description indicates in general the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions (as covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act) expected of an incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of an incumbent. An incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required.

Native American & Veteran Hiring Preferences will be applied in accordance with Waséyabek Development Company policy. We are committed to making merit-based hiring decisions. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship, marital status, height or weight, veteran status, or any other legally protected category.

Baker Engineering LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.