Summary: The Strategic Business Development Manager – Rail is responsible for identifying, developing, and converting new business opportunities across the European rail market. This hybrid role combines strategic market development with hands-on business development, working closely with the Management to expand Cattron’s presence with rail operators, OEMs, system integrators, and infrastructure organizations throughout Europe. The successful candidate is an entrepreneurial business developer with a hunter mentality who also contributes to long-term market strategy, customer engagement, and project realization.
This position reports to the Director of EU Rail Sales and works closely with Project Management, Product Management, Marketing, Operations, and the European sales organization to execute growth initiatives across the Rail business.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develop and execute the business development strategy for the European Rail Market.
- Identify, qualify, and pursue new business opportunities with rail operators, OEMs, system integrators, distributors, and infrastructure organizations.
- Build and maintain a robust pipeline of strategic opportunities while meeting agreed growth objectives.
- Development and implementation of strategic plans to acquire or expand target customers.
- Conduct market research to identify emerging trends, competitive activity, customer requirements, and growth opportunities.
- Translate customer and market insights into product enhancement and new product recommendations.
- Partner with Project Management, Product Management, Marketing, Operations, and Sales to bring new opportunities to market.
- Prepare business cases, market assessments, forecasts, and strategic recommendations for leadership.
- Represent Cattron at customer meetings, industry conferences, and trade shows.
- Provide regular pipeline, forecast, and market intelligence updates using CRM tools.
- Taking over and providing support for project management tasks to ensure 360° customer satisfaction throughout the entire process, from inquiry to delivery and services.
- Comply with all company quality, safety, and compliance requirements.
REQUIREMENTS
- Proven success developing new business in industrial or technical B2B markets.
- Experience in project business and project coordination.
- Strong relationship-building, presentation, negotiation, and influencing skills.
- Strategic thinker capable of turning market insights into growth initiatives.
- Self-motivated with an entrepreneurial mindset and hunter mentality.
- Ability to work effectively across multiple countries and cultures.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office and CRM systems.
- Willingness to travel approximately 40% throughout Europe with occasional international travel.
- German native speaker; Fluent English required; additional European languages are a plus.
EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business or related field.
- 5–10 years of business development, strategic sales, or market development experience.
- Experience selling technical or engineered products, industrial automation, electronics, controls, or safety solutions strongly preferred.
- Experience within the European rail industry is preferred.
- Knowledge of European rail operators, OEMs, procurement processes, and industry standards is highly
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE
- Build a qualified pipeline of strategic rail opportunities across Europe.
- Expand relationships with key rail operators, OEMs, and integrators.
- Identify new applications and product opportunities that drive long-term growth.
- Deliver measurable increases in new customer acquisition and revenue.
- Become a trusted commercial and strategic partner across the Rail business.
As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, Cattron does not discriminate in hiring or in the terms and conditions of employment because of an individual's race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, gender identity, citizenship or other categories protected by federal, state or local laws. EOE/M/F/Vet/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field
- 5-10 years of business development, strategic sales, or market development experience
- Proven success developing new business in industrial or technical B2B markets
- Experience in project business and project coordination
- Strong relationship-building, presentation, negotiation, and influencing skills
- Strategic thinking and ability to turn market insights into growth initiatives
- Ability to work across multiple countries and cultures
- Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and CRM systems
- Willingness to travel approximately 40% throughout Europe, with occasional international travel
- Native German speaker and fluent English
- Experience selling technical or engineered products, industrial automation, electronics, controls, or safety solutions
- Experience within the European rail industry
- Knowledge of European rail operators, OEMs, procurement processes, and industry standards
- Additional European languages
What We Do
For more than 70 years, Cattron has provided trusted wireless control solutions to environments where systems absolutely cannot fail, serving a variety of companies in industrial, transportation, safety systems and mining applications. From standard to custom-engineered systems, Cattron offers reliable control solutions tailored to meet customer-specific requirements around the world, all while supporting clients with world-class service and technical support for as long as it is needed. Cattron proudly delivers wireless solutions that connect devices, control machines and protect assets around the world.
