Director of Business Development

Lake Air Metal Products, LLC

$110K — $130K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • High school diploma or GED required; bachelor's in business, engineering, or related field preferred.
  • 7+ years of business development or technical sales experience in contract manufacturing.
  • Proven track record in aerospace and defense, medical device, or data center manufacturing.
  • Existing network of OEM contacts in target markets preferred.
  • Strong skills in presentation, negotiation, and relationship building.
  • Ability to build credibility across diverse teams and industries.
  • Self-motivated and resilient during sales cycles.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and implement a business development plan targeting OEM opportunities in three markets.
  • Generate a robust pipeline through networking and outreach to key industry personnel.
  • Understand and leverage the company's manufacturing capabilities against market requirements.
  • Manage customer engagements from initial contact through to program awards.
  • Create project proposals and cost estimates tailored to specific market needs.
  • Collaborate with leadership to refine market strategy and relationship building.
  • Continuously close new business opportunities across the defined sectors.

Benefits

  • Competitive Pay
  • Full Benefits
  • 401(k) Employer Match
  • Paid Time Off (PTO) and Holiday Pay
  • Gym Reimbursement
  • Tuition Reimbursement
Full Job Description
Position Summary

The Director of Business Development is a hunter responsible for driving new business growth for Lake Air Products across three target markets: aerospace and defense, medical device, and data centers. This role identifies, develops, and secures new OEM partnerships for precision metal fabrication, stamping, welding, and complex assemblies. The person in this role will not specialize in one vertical. This individual translates customer requirements into manufacturable solutions, leads the commercial side of new program launches, and stays the primary point of contact from first conversation through production handoff.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

  • Build and run a business development plan that generates new OEM opportunities across aerospace and defense, medical device, and data center accounts
  • Build a full pipeline through prospecting, networking, and targeted outreach to engineers, project managers, sourcing leads, and program managers in each of the three markets
  • Learn the company's manufacturing capabilities in depth and position them against the specific design, quality, and production requirements of each vertical, including ITAR controlled work, ISO 13485 medical device requirements, and data center enclosure and thermal management needs
  • Lead customer engagements from first contact through quotation, negotiation, and program award
  • Build project proposals, cost estimates, and account strategies aimed at winning new business in each target market
  • Work with executive leadership to sharpen market strategy, build relationships with key accounts, and close new opportunities


Qualifications

  • High school diploma or GED required. Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, or a related technical field strongly preferred.
  • 7+ years of business development, strategic sales, or technical sales experience in contract manufacturing
  • Proven track record selling into at least two of the following: aerospace and defense, medical device, or data center/electronics manufacturing
  • Existing network of contacts across OEMs and program managers in aerospace and defense, medical device, or data center infrastructure preferred
  • Strong presentation, negotiation, communication, and relationship building skills
  • Able to build credibility and working relationships across diverse teams, functions, and industries
  • Self-motivated and resilient, able to work through setbacks and keep momentum until the deal closes
  • Able to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion


Lake Air Products Offers:

  • Competitive Pay
  • Full Benefits
  • 401(k) Employer Match
  • Paid Time Off (PTO) and Holiday Pay
  • Gym Reimbursement
  • Tuition Reimbursement


Please note that this position may require travel to our Roseville, MN facility and may be subject to export control regulations. Unless an exemption applies, candidate(s) must be a U.S. Person* within the meaning of the law or obtain an export control license. Candidates who do not meet the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) requirements or choose not to pursue such positions are not disqualified from applying for other opportunities with Lake Air Products. Nothing in this posting should be interpreted as limiting applications based on nationality or citizenship status.

*A U.S. Person under export control laws includes a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, U.S. permanent resident, or protected individual who has been lawfully admitted for temporary residence in the U.S. as a refugee or asylee under U.S. law.

Apply Today!

Join a company where your hard work, dedication, and growth matter. We look forward to meeting you!

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