Business Development Manager

BNL (USA) is a subsidiary of BNL (UK) Ltd. and designs and manufactures custom plastic ball bearings serving a variety of industries. We are seeking a Business Development Manager to grow our business with a focus on automotive Tier 1 suppliers.

The Business Development Manager (BDM) is responsible for generating profitable new business aligned to the company’s strategic markets. The role is a Hunter position, focused on creating new revenue streams through proactive business development, opportunity conversion, and structured project delivery.

The BDM owns opportunities from initial engagement through to Start of Production (SOP), ensuring progression through defined APQP stage gates with pace, clarity, and commercial discipline.

• Overnight travel is required and may be 25-50% of the time.

This role requires a strong focus on new business generation while supporting existing accounts.

The role is focused on opening, developing, and converting new business opportunities.

• New opportunities created
• Revenue won and delivered

• Identify and secure new business within target sectors
• Develop and execute account entry strategies for new customers
• Generate a robust, qualified pipeline aligned to revenue targets
• Generate approximately 10x salary in new business opportunities within 2 years after joining BNL
• Build strong relationships across customer organizations
• Position the company as a technical and engineering partner
• Lead meetings, presentations, and negotiations
• Capture and communicate market insights internally
• Develop pricing strategies aligned to margin and market positioning
• Structure commercial offers including tooling and risk mitigation
• Support contract negotiation and terms alignment
• Maintain accurate pipeline within CRM systems
• Apply stage‑gate discipline and realistic conversion assumptions
• Provide data‑driven updates to leadership
• Support forecasting and long‑term planning

• Own opportunities from initial contact – RFQ – Award – SOP
• Define and drive clear next steps for all live opportunities
• Maintain momentum and actively influence customers
• Ensure all opportunities are commercially and technically aligned

• Lead commercial ownership through APQP gates (Bid/No Bid, Bid Review, Contract Review)
• Ensure strong scope definition, commercial viability, and on‑time progression

• Work closely with Engineering, Quality, and Operations teams
• Ensure seamless transition from concept to production

The duties and responsibilities in this job description are not restrictive, and the position may be required to undertake other duties which may be required from time to time. However, any modifications will not substantially change the general character of the position.

• Pipeline value and conversion rates
• Number of new projects opened
• RFQ to award conversion time

• Minimum 5 years of successful Technical Sales
• Degree in Technical/Engineering/Manufacturing discipline or Business Management equivalent
• Experience of working in sales within an international business
• Demonstrated success in winning new business, not just managing accounts
• Evidence of delivering meaningful revenue growth (ideally $1m+ annually depending on sector)
• Experience in long‑cycle, technical sales

• Experience of working with Tier 1 Automotive component suppliers
• Experience of working within a manufacturing business
• Experience of developing large OEM accounts

• Familiar with the use of a CRM system

• Proven experience in business development within manufacturing or engineering
• Strong track record of winning new business
• Experience managing complex technical sales cycles
• Ability to manage multiple opportunities simultaneously
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Must have a valid passport and clean driving record
• Experience in polymer engineering, bearings, or precision components
• Background in Automotive or Food Processing sectors
• Understanding of injection moulding, tooling, or assembly processes
• Experience working within APQP or structured NPD frameworks
• Proactive and driven (Hunter mindset)
• Strong ownership and accountability
• High pace and urgency

• Builds a strong pipeline within 6 months
• Converts opportunities into awarded business within 12 months
• Demonstrates ownership through APQP
• Establishes new strategic customer relationships

Strong salary, excellent benefits and car allowance.

This role is critical to delivering sustainable growth. The Business Development Manager must operate as a true Hunter, focused on creating new opportunities, driving them forward with pace, and converting them into profitable, long‑term business.