Description
POSITION SUMMARY
The Director of Business Development is responsible for driving profitable, sustainable revenue growth for WLS Stamping by identifying, pursuing, and securing new customer programs in metal stamping, tool & die, and fabrication services. This role builds and manages a pipeline of new business opportunities, strengthens relationships with existing accounts, and represents the company's capabilities to OEMs and Tier 1/Tier 2 manufacturers across target industries. The Director works closely with Engineering, Quoting, Quality, and Operations to ensure new programs are quoted accurately, launched successfully, and aligned with the plant's capacity and capabilities.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
• Develop and execute a strategic business development plan to grow revenue across target markets (e.g., automotive, agriculture, appliance, HVAC, electronics enclosures, industrial equipment).
• Identify, qualify, and pursue new customer opportunities for progressive die stamping, transfer die stamping, metal fabrication, welding, and value-added assembly work.
• Build and manage a robust sales pipeline using CRM tools; track opportunities from lead generation through quote, award, and launch.
• Lead the RFQ process for new business: gather customer requirements, coordinate with Engineering and Estimating to develop competitive, accurate quotes, and present proposals to customers.
• Cultivate and maintain long-term relationships with key accounts, serving as a strategic point of contact for growth opportunities within existing programs.
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, tooling agreements, and contracts in coordination with senior leadership.
• Represent WLS Stamping at industry trade shows, customer visits, and professional associations to build brand awareness and generate leads.
• Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and industry developments (materials, tooling technology, reshoring/nearshoring trends) to inform sales strategy.
• Partner with Operations and Quality to ensure new program launches meet customer specifications, timelines, and quality requirements (PPAP/APQP as applicable).
• Prepare and present regular sales forecasts, pipeline reports, and win/loss analysis to executive leadership.
• Support pricing strategy and margin targets in collaboration with Finance and Operations leadership.
• Mentor and, as the department grows, help build out an inside sales/account management function.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
This position may oversee sales support, estimating, or account management staff as the department scales; no direct reports required initially. [Adjust based on org structure.]
Skills Required
- Proven experience selling metal stamping, tool & die, fabrication, or related manufacturing services
- Knowledge of progressive die stamping and transfer die stamping processes
- Experience managing RFQ process and developing competitive, accurate quotes with Engineering and Estimating
- Experience using CRM tools to build and manage sales pipeline
- Familiarity with PPAP and APQP quality processes and product launch collaboration with Operations/Quality
- Contract and pricing negotiation experience with OEMs and Tier suppliers
- Ability to represent the company at trade shows and customer visits (business development travel)
- Experience preparing sales forecasts, pipeline reports, and win/loss analysis for leadership
- Leadership or mentoring experience to help build an inside sales/account management function
What We Do
WLS Stamping & Fabricating Co. provides hardware services, specializing in stamping, fabricating, and assembly solutions for machinery.
