Business Development Specialist I

About the role

As a Business Development Specialist I, you will drive profitable existing account growth with a strategic group of customers and acquire new business within your assigned territory. You will serve as the primary sales leader for the Distributor, collaborating closely with your team to identify, qualify, pursue, and land new Traditional Independent Licensed Dealer (ILD) and Non-Mandated National Account Customers (NAC).

Responsibilities

• Identify, qualify, pursue, and land new Traditional Independent Licensed Dealer (ILD) and Non-Mandated National Account Customers (NAC).
• Travel regularly within the assigned territory to engage with dealers.
• Physically set up new customers with racks, batteries, point of purchase, and testers; ensure they are on route, have proper documentation, and have all questions answered regarding programs, products, and services.
• Educate dealers on relevant programs, products, development opportunities, and available training.
• Develop and manage an assigned customer list of approximately 100 identified growth dealers.
• Maintain relationships with new and existing dealers through in-person meetings, site visits, and networking events.
• Execute business reviews on growth dealers, including current performance, identified opportunities, and recommended plans to capitalize on them.
• Assist with additional dealer visits beyond growth dealers as needed.
• Leverage Salesforce daily for prospecting, pipeline development, documenting activity, and closing business.
• Communicate pricing actions to operation dealers (review monthly Gross Profit report and react when required).
• Assist with Accounts Receivable collection calls or customer visits as needed.
• Maintain a minimum of 40 in-person sales calls per week, including prospecting, proposal presentations, and existing dealer calls focused on growth opportunities.
• Visit NAC dealer locations within the market based on company needs.
• Meet or exceed established targets, including new unit sales production, growth dealer goals, and average price per unit sold.
• Respond to and manage dealer issues and complaints.
• Collaborate with internal teams, including Market General Managers, Assistant Market General Managers, Route Sales Managers, and Office and Warehouse Team Members to ensure customer satisfaction and account growth.

Requirements

• 1-2 years of Business-to-Business sales experience preferred.
• Proven experience in outside sales, business development, or field-based account management is preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop sales.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent customer service skills coupled with a results-driven mindset.
• Strong negotiation and closing skills with the ability to meet or exceed sales quotas.
• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively while covering a designated area.
• Concise and professional written, presentation, and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with MS Office and Excel required; experience with Salesforce, Concur, Workday, and/or Tableau preferred.
• Comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with frequent travel.
• Must have a clean driving record, meet driver qualifications requirements, and have reliable transportation.

Work Environment

• Able to regularly lift and/or move up to 50 lbs without assistance and occasionally lift up to 75 lbs.
• Frequent sitting, walking, and standing for the duration of the work schedule.
• Specific vision abilities include close vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Exposed to battery warehouse conditions such as moving equipment, mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, and toxic or caustic chemicals.
• Exposed to road hazards when operating or riding in a vehicle.
• Flexible work schedule based on client availability, including occasional evening or weekend events.

Compensation

Compensation includes a base salary plus variable compensation, with earnings tied to sales performance.

Interstate Batteries is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, or other protected status.