Business Development Manager

Kadant is a company that specializes in rotor debarking technology, and they are seeking a Business Development Manager to enhance their aftermarket products and capital equipment sales. The role involves developing growth strategies, managing customer accounts, and driving revenue growth through strong customer relationships and market analysis.

Responsibilities:

• Develops and executes aftermarket growth strategy (parts, service, upgrades)
• Owns sales forecasting, pipeline management, and performance tracking
• Identifies market opportunities and drives revenue growth
• Owns and manages strategic customer accounts
• Develops long-term customer relationships and retention strategies
• Conducts regular customer visits to identify needs and opportunities
• Leads upselling and cross-selling initiatives
• Defines pricing strategy and margin targets
• Benchmarks with competition
• Monitors profitability across customers and products
• Increases market presence through visits, trade shows, and networking
• Identifies new customers and develop new business opportunities
• Monitors market trends and competitive activity
• Identifies capital equipment opportunities through aftermarket interactions
• Detects upgrade, replacement, and expansion needs
• Supports capital sales with customer insight and installed base knowledge
• Aligns inside sales activities with commercial priorities
• Acts as escalation point for key customer issues
• Ensures alignment between sales and operations
• Maintains accurate customer and machine data (CRM)
• Tracks KPIs, pipelines, and sales performance
• Provides insights and reporting to management

Requirements:

• An associate degree, or equivalent work experience, is required
• Two years of higher-level outside sales experience in a manufacturing environment
• Excellent verbal and written communication, including professional presentation skills
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills
• Outstanding sales and negotiation skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times stressful environment
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software
• Candidates with additional sales or marketing certifications are preferred
• Experience in the sawmill industry is also preferred