Business Development Manager

LS ELECTRIC America, Inc. Business Development Manager
- VFD/Automation (Midwest) Territory: Midwest Region, United States

Location:
Remote
- Candidates may reside anywhere within the Midwest Responsibilities
* Drive new business development across OEMs, system integrators, panel builders, and key end user accounts throughout the Midwest region, with a primary focus on VFD and automationsolutions.
* Develop and execute regional sales strategies to expand market share in control products and industrial automation, including VFDs, motion control, HMIs, PLCs, industrial networking, andrelated automation platforms.
* Identify, engage, and convert competitive accounts by positioning technical performance, system architecture advantages, lifecycle cost benefits, and long-term automation roadmaps.
* Manage the full sales cycle from opportunity identification through technical discovery, solution alignment, commercial negotiation, and close, coordinating closely with applications engineering.
* Build strong relationships with OEM engineering teams, controls engineers, plant managers, integrators, and executive stakeholders to embed automation solutions early in the design and specification cycle.
* Support and grow channel partnerships with distributors, integrators, and manufacturer representatives through joint sales calls, technical enablement, training initiatives, and collaborative go-to-market planning.
* Collaborate cross-functionally with applications engineering, product management, and marketing to ensure proper solution design, accurate proposals, and competitive marketpositioning.
* Maintain disciplined pipeline management, accurate forecasting, and opportunity tracking through CRM systems to provide clear visibility into regional activity and growth trends.
* Monitor competitor activity, technology shifts, and emerging VFD/automation trends within manufacturing, industrial, infrastructure, and HVAC/commercial building markets.
* Represent the company at regional industry events, trade shows, customer meetings, and technical forums. Qualifications
* Bachelor's degree in engineering, technology, or business is preferred; equivalent industry experience is fully acceptable. Required Skills
* 15+ years of experience in industrial controls, automation sales, OEM sales, or business development within industrial automation or related electrical/controls markets.
* Proven success selling VFD/Automation solutions through OEMs, system integrators, distributors, or direct end-user channels within the Midwest U.
S. market.
* Strong technical understanding of industrial automation platforms, including VFDs, servo/motion systems, HMIs, PLCs, industrial networking, SCADA integration, or related control technologies.
* Demonstrated ability to displace incumbent automation platforms and grow market share through consultative, solution-oriented selling.
* Experience working alongside applications engineers or providing high-level technical guidance during pre-sales and system design discussions.
* Strong communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to engage effectively with engineering, operations, procurement, and executive-level decision-makers.
* Ability and willingness to travel regionally up to 50% to support customer, integrator, and channel engagement. Preferred Skills
* [Preferred] Deep industry knowledge or established network within the HVAC market, with a strong understanding of HVAC-specific VFD applications (e.g., pumps, fans, air handling units, chillers).
* [Preferred] Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office (particularly Excel and Outlook) and Salesforce (or similar CRM platforms) for reporting, communication, and disciplined pipeline/forecast management. Other benefits
* 100% Employer covered Health, dental and vision insurance
* 401K matching
* Long/short term disability insurance
* Life insurance
* Paid time off