RV Industry Business Development Manager

RV Industry Business Development Manager

This role is located in Elkhart, IN.

This is a remote position focused on the Elkhart, IN RV market.

Want to leverage your RV industry relationships to develop new business opportunities and help grow a company's presence in the recreational vehicle market? Enjoy building relationships, identifying new applications, and turning opportunities into long-term production business?

Then, we have the place for you!

What We Offer:

• Comprehensive Health & Wellness Benefits
• Retirement Program with company match
• Paid Vacation and Holidays, with flexibility to negotiate additional vacation time for the right candidate
• Company-provided cell phone and PC/laptop
• Reimbursement for approved business travel and expenses

What You'll Do:

As the RV Industry Business Development Manager, you will play an important role in developing a new business channel within the RV industry. You will leverage your existing industry relationships, identify new customer opportunities, and work with purchasing, sourcing, engineering, and product-development personnel to introduce custom rubber and sealing products. Your primary focus will be opening new doors, developing RFQ opportunities, and converting new business into production programs.

Your Accountabilities in the Role:

• Builds and maintains a qualified list of RV OEM manufacturers, Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, component manufacturers, and other prospective customers.
• Leverages established RV industry relationships to obtain introductions and develop relationships with purchasing, sourcing, engineering, and product-development decision-makers.
• Identifies opportunities within the travel trailer, fifth-wheel, motorhome, and specialty RV markets, with particular emphasis on travel trailer and fifth-wheel manufacturers.
• Researches prospective customers to understand their purchasing requirements, current rubber component applications, existing suppliers, and potential sourcing opportunities.
• Identifies opportunities for rubber extrusions, molded rubber, seals, gaskets, weatherstripping, bulb seals, edge trim, EPDM components, and other custom rubber products.
• Identifies products currently sourced from competing suppliers and develops opportunities to quote new business and support customer cost-reduction initiatives.
• Obtains customer drawings, samples, specifications, and requirements needed to develop accurate quotations.
• Develops and pursues RFQ opportunities from initial customer contact through quotation, product development, and award.
• Travels as necessary to meet customers, develop opportunities, and support business growth.
• Participates in manufacturing plant tours and training, including planned travel to India, to understand rubber manufacturing processes, quality systems, and product capabilities.

Position Requirements:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, sales, or a related field preferred; equivalent education and experience will be considered.
• Experience: Proven experience in business development, OEM sales, or a related commercial role within the RV industry. Experience selling components or products to RV OEMs and suppliers is strongly preferred.
• Functional Skills: Established RV industry relationships with purchasing, sourcing, engineering, or product-development decision-makers; demonstrated ability to generate new business, identify opportunities, pursue RFQs, and convert opportunities into production business; strong prospecting, networking, negotiation, organizational, planning, prioritizing, and follow-through skills; ability to work independently, develop a market from the ground up, and manage multiple opportunities through completion.
• Technology Aptitude/Skills: Comfortable using Microsoft Outlook and other standard office technology. Experience with CRM systems, sales pipeline tracking, spreadsheets, and reporting tools is helpful.
• Language Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to communicate professionally with customers, purchasing personnel, engineers, executives, and internal team members.
• Leadership/Behaviors: Demonstrates a strong hunter mentality, initiative, persistence, accountability, and results-oriented behavior; able to independently develop customer relationships, identify opportunities, manage a territory, and meet measurable business development goals.
• Culture Match Behaviors: Customer-oriented, collaborative, and relationship-focused; enjoys opening doors, developing new business, and creating opportunities; takes responsibility for ensuring opportunities are pursued, followed through, and converted into profitable business.

Other Important Information:

Pay/Salary: Salary is commensurate with proven expertise. There is also a Bonus Program to recognize achievement!

• And, the compensation will grow as the team member grows!

Reports To: COO

Core Hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm (schedule can be flexible; will work approx. 8 hours within this timeframe)

Typical Work Week: M-F; 40 - 45 hours a week on average

Direct Reports: None

Travel: All local travel (One trip oversees to see manufacturing upon starting)