Business Development Manager - Knoxville, TN

About the role

Stellar values employees who take initiative and contribute beyond defined responsibilities. This Business Development Manager role focuses on securing new business opportunities, expanding market share, and building long-term customer relationships through consultative sales solutions that deliver measurable value.

Responsibilities

• Business Development & Prospecting: Identify and pursue new opportunities by building a robust sales pipeline through networking, referrals, research, cold calling, and CRM-driven activities using Proton.AI.
• Consultative Sales & Customer Relationships: Develop strong relationships with prospects by understanding their operations, identifying challenges, and recommending value-added solutions. Conduct customer visits, presentations, and product demonstrations to communicate Stellar’s capabilities and introduce new offerings.
• Territory Growth & Sales Performance: Execute territory plans to support revenue growth, gross margin improvement, and strategic objectives. Analyze market trends, competitive activity, and customer needs to identify new opportunities and achieve sales goals.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Account Relationship Managers, Customer Experience, Supply Chain, Solutions Specialists, Operations, and supplier representatives to develop comprehensive customer solutions. Coordinate seamless onboarding and transition of new customers to the appropriate teams.
• Professional Standards: Maintain accurate records in Proton.AI CRM, participate in sales meetings and training, and uphold professionalism, integrity, and a customer-first approach.

Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Business, Sales, Marketing, or a related field preferred.
• Experience: Five or more years of proven B2B sales or business development experience required. Industrial distribution, MRO, manufacturing, construction, or related industry experience preferred. CRM platform experience is a plus.
• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
  • Proven ability to develop new business through prospecting, networking, and consultative selling.
  • Strong relationship-building and influence skills at all organizational levels.
  • Excellent verbal, written, and presentation communication skills.
  • Strong planning, organizational, negotiation, and time-management skills.
  • Ability to analyze customer operations and recommend practical, value-added solutions.
  • Self-motivated with the ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and CRM software.
  • Mechanical aptitude or knowledge of industrial products is preferred.
• Additional Requirements: Must be at least 18 years of age, possess a valid driver’s license, and be legally authorized to work in the United States. Must pass a background check and drug screening, and maintain regular attendance.

Schedule

Full-time, exempt position with a standard Monday–Friday schedule, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with flexibility based on customer and business needs. This hybrid role includes field-based customer visits, remote work, and occasional time in a Stellar branch or office. Frequent local travel within the assigned territory is required, with occasional overnight travel for customer meetings, training, conferences, and business development initiatives.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Company-paid life and AD&D insurance
• Long-term disability insurance
• 401(k) with employer match
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Gym reimbursement program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employee rewards and recognition program
• HSA with company contribution on eligible plans