Business Development Manager – Automation

Foth

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Posted on 05/14/2026

Location

Green Bay, Wisconsin / Milwaukee, Wisconsin / Madison, Wisconsin / Chicago, Illinois / Minneapolis, Minnesota

Description

Foth is a 100% member-owned science and engineering consulting firm headquartered in Wisconsin, with over 85 years of success. Our 750 members across 33 locations are dedicated to solving our clients’ toughest science and engineering challenges. Consistently ranked by Engineering News Record in the top 150 firms, we offer a values-based, collaborative, and flexible work environment with professional growth opportunities. If you thrive working alongside a smart and caring team, Foth may be the place for you.

Join our team and experience the Foth difference that contributes to our impressive 92 % member retention rate! Learn more at foth.com/careers.

Foth is seeking a Business Development Professional with proven success in finding and cultivating new relationships with manufacturing clients that have a demonstrated appetite for custom automation or machinery solutions.

This role supports Foth’s Serial 1 Automation group—a specialized team focused on developing first-of-a-kind solutions for unique manufacturing challenges. These solutions often serve clients aiming to own intellectual property for process improvements or those with highly manual or safety focused applications underserved by traditional OEMs. Using a stage-gate development process, the team helps clients de-risk projects while maintaining alignment with business objectives. Solutions may include new production lines, custom machinery, custom enhancements or integration to standard machinery, upgrades to aging machinery, or purely consulting support.

The position is based remotely in the Midwest or at one of our offices in Green Bay, WI; Milwaukee, WI; Madison, WI; Chicago, IL; or Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN.

Position Overview

• As a Business Development Manager - Automation, you will leverage your network to identify and pursue new business opportunities, serving as the primary contact for new client relationships. You’ll collaborate with cross-functional teams to qualify leads, build pursuit strategies, and develop winning proposals.
• Once projects are awarded, you’ll provide high-level oversight and ensure successful execution by Foth’s engineering and project management teams. After establishing a strong foundation with new clients (typically within 1–2 years), you’ll transition the relationship to a strategic account manager, maintaining focus on generating new opportunities.
• The ideal candidate will bring strong interpersonal and negotiation skills, technical and financial acumen, and the ability to drive revenue growth and profitability. Flexibility and travel (30–50%) are required.
  
  

Major Duties & Responsibilities

Primary Responsibilities

• Identify and pursue high-potential clients or projects opportunities requiring first-of-a-kind solutions
• Influence decision-makers across client organizations
• Develop and execute strategic and tactical plans to meet revenue goals
• Lead and support proposal development and client presentations
• Maintain accurate pipeline and forecasting data
• Coach internal teams for upcoming client engagements
• Build Foth’s industry network and client relationships
• Support deescalation and resolution of any potential client or project conflicts
• Collaborate with other cross-functional areas such as accounting, operations, and risk
• Travel as needed (30–50% nationwide) to support client needs and seize opportunities
  
  

Required Qualifications

Minimum Skills & Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree in business, operations, or engineering; or relevant professional experience
• 10 years of sales, business development, and/or account management
• 10 years of custom automation experience within engineering or manufacturing environments
• 5 years of leading internal cross-functional teams via influence and relationship building
  
  

Required Recent Experience With The Following

• Business development experience in custom automation or machinery
• Prior experience developing revenue projections and tactical execution to achieve them
• Prior client relationship management experience
• Prior experience in contract negotiation, management and administration
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using social media for business development
• Familiarity with CRM platforms
• Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification
  
  

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