Sales Development Manager - Water & Environmental Markets

Graco manufactures and markets premium equipment to move, measure, control, dispense and spray a wide variety of fluid and powder materials. What does that mean? Well, we pump peanut butter into your jar, and the oil in your car. We glue the soles of your shoes, the glass in your windows and the screen on your phone. We spray the finish on your vehicle, coatings on your pills, the paint on your house and texture on your walls. Graco is part of your daily life.

Where You’ll Work - QED Environmental Systems, a subsidiary of Graco, Inc., located in Dexter, MI

QED Environmental Systems is the market-leading provider of environmental technology solutions. We design, manufacture and support solutions for groundwater, soil and gas management and detection applications into environmental, industrial and renewable energy markets worldwide.

Since our inception, we have been the leading manufacturer of environmental monitoring and remediation equipment. We offer the best and most diverse product portfolio and solutions to our customers.

Ready to join us?

QED Environmental Systems, a Graco company, is seeking a strategic and commercially driven Sales Development Manager to lead growth initiatives across water quality, PFAS, groundwater monitoring, environmental remediation, and related environmental markets. This highly visible role combines market development, customer engagement, solution selling, and strategic growth planning to expand QED's presence in emerging and established water-focused markets.

The successful candidate will identify and develop new business opportunities, build strategic customer and partner relationships, influence product and technology direction, and drive market expansion through a combination of commercial leadership, industry expertise, and market insight.

This position offers the entrepreneurial energy of a focused environmental business backed by Graco's global resources, financial strength, and long-term commitment to innovation and growth.

Why This Role Exists

This role is critical to accelerating growth within QED's water and environmental solutions portfolio by:

• Expanding QED's position in water quality, PFAS, groundwater monitoring, remediation, and adjacent environmental markets.
• Identifying and converting new business opportunities, customers, and market segments.
• Translating customer challenges and industry trends into scalable commercial solutions.
• Influencing product, technology, partnership, licensing, and acquisition strategies.
• Creating sustainable revenue growth and long-term profitability.

What You Will Do

Business Development & Pipeline Generation 

• Identify, prioritize, and pursue new business opportunities across water quality, PFAS, remediation, groundwater monitoring, and environmental markets.
• Develop strategic growth plans for new market segments, customer groups, and geographic regions.
• Build and maintain a robust pipeline through prospecting, networking, industry engagement, and market intelligence.
• Develop account penetration strategies and stakeholder maps for high-value target customers.
• Evaluate new applications, technologies, and market opportunities that align with QED's growth objectives.

Customer Engagement & Solution Selling 

• Engage environmental consultants, engineering firms, contractors, regulators, municipalities, industrial end users, channel partners, and technology providers.
• Lead discovery conversations to uncover customer challenges, regulatory drivers, and unmet market needs.
• Position QED's solutions in a compelling manner that differentiates the company from competitors.
• Partner with Sales, Product Management, Marketing, and Engineering teams to deliver customer-centric solutions.
• Support strategic opportunities through the sales cycle and facilitate successful market adoption.

Strategic Growth & Market Intelligence

• Monitor industry trends, regulatory developments, competitive activity, and emerging technologies.
• Translate customer insights into growth initiatives, market priorities, and investment recommendations.
• Influence product and technology roadmaps through direct customer engagement and market feedback.
• Evaluate strategic partnerships, licensing opportunities, technology collaborations, and acquisition targets.
• Support business case development for new growth platforms and market expansion initiatives. 

Industry Leadership & Relationship Management

• Represent QED and Graco at industry conferences, trade associations, and professional organizations.
• Establish and strengthen relationships with key industry stakeholders and thought leaders.
• Build strategic partnerships that accelerate market access and business growth.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to customers and partners within the environmental and water sectors.
  

Performance Tracking & Reporting 

• Maintain pipeline activity, customer engagement, and opportunity data within CRM systems.
• Track key business development metrics and provide regular updates to leadership.
• Report on market trends, competitive developments, and growth opportunities.
• Continuously refine business development strategies based on performance data and market dynamics.

What You Will Bring to Graco  

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Environmental Science, Marketing, or a related field.
• 5+ years of business development, sales, market development, or commercial leadership experience.
• Demonstrated success identifying, developing, and converting new business opportunities within technical or industrial markets.
• Experience building pipelines, opening new markets, and securing strategic customer relationships.
• Ability to engage technical practitioners, commercial leaders, and executive decision-makers.
• Strong business acumen and ability to connect customer needs with product, technology, and solution development.
• Excellent communication, presentation, influence, and relationship-building skills.
• Self-motivated, resilient, and comfortable working in a dynamic, growth-focused environment.
• Experience utilizing CRM systems and commercial analytics tools.
• Ability to travel approximately 25–40%.
• Valid driver's license and ability to maintain insurability under Graco's fleet program.

Accelerators 

• 10+ years of experience in water quality, PFAS, groundwater monitoring, environmental remediation, instrumentation, environmental consulting, or related industries.
• Working knowledge of environmental regulations, compliance requirements, and industry market drivers.
• Experience building strategic partnerships, distribution channels, licensing agreements, or technology alliances.
• Demonstrated success evaluating acquisition opportunities or emerging technologies.
• Experience selling complex technical solutions into environmental, industrial, government, municipal, or consulting markets.
• MBA or advanced degree preferred.

#LI-REMOTE

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a permanent and unrestricted basis. This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship now or in the future (e.g., H-1B, TN, E-3, O-1, L-1, or employment-based permanent residence sponsorship). Candidates working under temporary employment authorization, including F-1 OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, or similar programs, are not eligible for this position. 

At Graco, you truly make a difference. Your unique talents contribute to our organizational growth and future. Not only do you make a difference, but Graco’s culture empowers employees to create their own career path. Whether you choose to advance within your current department or explore new opportunities in different divisions, you have the ability to build your future. Our managers are here to provide support and guidance as you continue to grow within your career.

Graco has excellent opportunities available to individuals who want to be part of a fast-moving, growing company that is committed to quality, innovation and solving fluid handling problems for our customers. Graco is proud to be named a Best Place to Work by Fortune Magazine in 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021 & 2022. Graco offers attractive compensation, benefits and career development opportunities. Graco’s comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, stock purchase plan, 401(k), tuition reimbursement and more.

Our company uses E-Verify to confirm the employment and eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.

The base pay range for this position is listed below, exclusive of fringe benefits or other compensation.  If you are hired, your final base hourly rate will be determined based on factors such as geographic location, skills, competencies, education, and/or experience.  In addition to those factors, we will also consider internal equity of our current employees.  Please keep in mind that the range provided is the full base salary range for the role.  Hiring at or near the maximum of the range would not be typical to allow for future and continued salary growth.