Director, Business Development - Aerospace/Contract Mfg

• **Costs of relocation to Rochester, NY covered**
• Defined advancement opportunity to a VP of Sales position.
  
  

About Our Client

Our client is a reputable, medium‑sized contract manufacturing and metal fabrication organization known for delivering high‑quality engineered‑to‑order solutions. They are experiencing significant growth, actively expanding their facilities and adding new locations while maintaining a results‑oriented, high‑performance work environment.

Job Description

The Director Business Development will lead all business development and sales activities to expand their sheet metal fabrication business and diversify into new markets. This role is responsible for building a high‑quality sales pipeline, working with independent sales representatives, qualifying opportunities, and guiding prospects through a long, complex sales cycle-including quoting, prototyping, and project development phases. The ideal candidate has a strong technical understanding of metal fabrication, experience with engineered‑to‑order products, and a proven ability to convert qualified opportunities into long‑term customers.

• Business Development & Pipeline Growth
• Develop and execute strategies to identify, engage, and qualify new prospects in targeted industries.
• Work closely with independent sales representatives to coach, guide, and support their prospecting efforts.
• Establish a structured lead qualification process to evaluate fit, scope, technical feasibility, and revenue potential.
• Maintain a balanced pipeline that supports short‑term wins and long‑term strategic growth.
• Long‑Cycle Sales Management
• Guide prospects through the full sales lifecycle: initial contact through RFQ, quoting, sampling, and development.
• Work closely with engineering and operations to translate customer needs into accurate quotes and feasible manufacturing plans.
• Develop a business case for moving forward with customers that require significant resources and company capital to bring on the work.
• Track and manage project timelines, customer communications, and required design iterations.
• Serve as the primary point of contact throughout the sales process, ensuring a smooth handoff to production once awarded.
• Work through contract negotiations with new customers.
• Market Expansion & Diversification
• Identify, evaluate, and penetrate new markets such as aerospace and defense, medical devices, data centers, transportation, and industrial equipment.
• Conduct competitive and market analysis to understand emerging trends and unmet customer needs.
• Develop targeted sales campaigns in partnership with marketing.
• Forecasting, Reporting & Strategy
• Provide monthly forecasts of new business, quoting activity, and pipeline health.
• Use CRM tools to track leads, qualification steps, quoting status, and probability of closure.
• Collaborate with senior leadership on annual sales plans, pricing strategy, and resource planning.
  
  

MPI does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual's status in any group or class protected by applicable federal, state or local law. MPI encourages applications from minorities, women, the disabled, protected veterans and all other qualified applicants.

The Successful Applicant

Required

• Relocation to Rochester, NY (Expenses Covered)**
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Marketing, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5 years of sales or business development experience in metal fabrication, contract manufacturing, or industrial B2B markets.
• Experience working with independent sales representatives in a territory‑based model.
• Strong understanding of sheet metal fabrication processes (laser cutting, bending, welding, finishing, assemblies).
• Demonstrated success managing a long, technical, multi‑step sales cycle.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship‑building skills.
  
  

HIGHLY Preferred

• Prior experience selling into defense or aerospace markets.
  
  

Key Competencies

• Strong technical aptitude and ability to discuss engineered products.
• Structured approach to qualification, quoting, and pipeline management.
• Collaborative mindset; able to work across engineering, quality, and production teams.
• Strategic thinker with an entrepreneurial approach to new market entry.
• Results‑driven and highly organized.
• Previous experience negotiating contracts with new customers.
  
  

What's on Offer

• Competitive salary ranging from $130-170k base bonus opportunity
• Comprehensive benefits package
• Opportunity to work with an established and growing company within the contract manufacturing industry
• Potential for career growth and professional development to eventually become VP of Sales down the road
  
  

Contact: Jessica Fitch

Quote job ref: JN-042026-6992866