# Business Development Manager

**Company:** [Sharpe Engineering](http://jobs.workable.com/companies/pjdRTBK4rtvEgyPfozukzz.md)
**Location:** Madison, United States
**Workplace:** hybrid
**Employment type:** Full-time
**Department:** Business Development, Marketing and Sales

[Apply for this job](http://jobs.workable.com/view/a89310e1-4489-4f0b-b896-338af7025f6c)

## Description

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 and industrial processing industries.

This outward-facing, hunter-focused role is responsible for opening doors, developing early-stage opportunities, and expanding Sharpe’s footprint across process, packaging, automation, and compliance solutions. You’ll take the lead in building new relationships and turning them into long-term partnerships.

In this role, you’ll collaborate closely with Engineering, Controls, and Project Management to uncover client needs, shape high-level technical solutions, and position Sharpe as a trusted partner. This position is critical to Sharpe’s growth strategy and directly supports our core values of Integrity, Collaboration, Responsibility, Commitment to Stakeholders, and People-Centric Focus.

**Key Responsibilities**

**New Business Development (Primary Focus)**

-   Identify, target, and pursue new customer opportunities aligned with Sharpe’s ideal client profile
-   Develop and execute strategic prospecting plans across key markets, geographies, and industries
-   Initiate and manage early-stage conversations with decision-makers and influencers
-   Qualify 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 engineering teams to develop high-level solution concepts
-   Advance opportunities through proposal, negotiation, and contract stages

**Market & Relationship Development**

-   Represent Sharpe at industry events, trade shows, and networking functions
-   Develop relationships with industry partners, vendors, and influencers to generate leads
-   Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and emerging opportunities

**Handoff & Collaboration**

-   Represent Sharpe at industry events, trade shows, and networking functions
-   Develop relationships with industry partners, vendors, and influencers to generate leads
-   Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and emerging opportunities

**Why Join Sharpe?**  
Sharpe Engineering & Equipment is growing and this role puts you at the front edge of that growth.

In this role, you’ll:

-   Own the front end of the sales cycle and build new relationships from the ground up
-   Sell complex, high-value engineering solutions, not commodity products
-   Be backed by deep technical expertise and a strong delivery reputation
-   Have the autonomy to create opportunities while working within a collaborative, high-performing team

At Sharpe, business development professionals aren’t left on an island. You’ll be supported by engineering, leadership, and a clear handoff process, allowing you to focus on what you do best: opening doors and creating opportunity.

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.