Key Account/ Business Development Manager – North America (Hengstler)
About the role
We're seeking an ambitious, hunter-minded Junior Key Account Manager to drive new business growth for our strategic product lines across North America. This role is built around prospecting: identifying, pursuing, and winning new accounts in industrial automation, motion control, and power transmission segments.
Responsibilities
Proactively hunt for new business opportunities across North America in industrial automation, motion control, and power transmission segments
Build and execute a territory-based prospecting strategy, identifying and mapping decision-makers within target OEMs, panel builders, and end users
Generate pipeline through high-volume outreach: cold calling, email campaigns, LinkedIn/social selling, and trade show prospecting
Qualify self-generated and inbound leads, then own them through the sales cycle from first contact to close, with support from senior team members on larger or more complex deals
Partner with product management and engineering to learn how to position our solutions against customer application requirements and translate technical specs into business value
Track all prospecting activity, conversations, and pipeline status diligently in CRM to maintain forecast accuracy
Attend trade shows and industry events to generate leads and build market presence
Monitor competitive activity and market trends within the territory, feeding insights back to the broader team
Travel as needed (likely 30-40%) to meet prospects and build out territory coverage
Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, or Electronics preferred), Business, or related field; candidates with strong technical aptitude but non-engineering degrees will also be considered
1-3 years of sales or business development experience, ideally in industrial, technical, or B2B environments; prior entry-level experience in industrial automation or electromechanical products is a plus
A clear hunter mentality: proven self-generated activity (cold outreach, networking, lead generation) rather than reliance on assigned/inbound leads
High energy, persistence, and resilience — comfortable with high-volume outreach and handling early-stage rejection without losing momentum
Genuine interest in learning the technical side of the business — comfortable engaging with engineers and procurement on application requirements over time
Basic familiarity with industrial end markets (material handling, data centers, cranes/hoists, oil & gas, elevators, mining) is a plus but can be developed on the job
Knowledge of CRM tools (Salesforce or similar) for activity tracking and pipeline management
Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the confidence to drive conversations with new prospects
Coachable and growth-oriented, eager to build toward a long-term career in industrial sales and account management
Willingness to travel 30-40% across North America
Self-starter mentality with a strong bias toward proactive outreach over reactive account servicing
Qualifications
Knowledge of Ralliant Business System (RBS) tools and methodologies to improve personal prospecting and sales effectiveness
Participation in ongoing RBS training and team brainstorming sessions to identify and resolve pipeline-generation bottlenecks
Skills
Technical aptitude, particularly in industrial automation, motion control, and power transmission
Ability to engage with engineers and procurement teams
Strong communication skills
Self-starter and persistent attitude
Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks
Benefits
Flexible work schedule
Professional development opportunities
Competitive compensation package including base salary and commission
Health insurance benefits
Retirement savings plan
Pay
$86,300 - $160,300 annually
Schedule
Full-time, with occasional travel required