Business Development Manager – Technical Sales (Automation & Emerging Markets)

KEB America is seeking a Business Development Manager (BDM) to support and grow our presence across multiple high-opportunity industrial automation markets in North America. This is a technical, relationship-driven sales role focused on long-term customer development, complex automation solutions, and strategic revenue growth rather than transactional or short-cycle sales.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in long, consultative sales cycles, enjoys learning highly engineered products, and values time to build credibility and market presence before being measured strictly on short-term results.

The BDM will be teamed with another Business Development Manager and jointly responsible for actively pursuing revenue in priority growth segments such as:

• E-Mobility
• Plastics Machinery and Recycling
• Theatre Automation

In addition, this role will passively support opportunities that arise across other industrial segments. As KEB continues to expand and market demand shifts, BDMs will adapt their active market focus to align with growth opportunities and emerging technologies. This multi-market approach provides both revenue stability and career flexibility, ensuring individuals are not reliant on a single industry cycle and can evolve their focus as markets grow or change.

What You’ll Be Responsible For

• Drive new customer acquisition and revenue growth across assigned active industry segments
• Manage complex, long-cycle sales opportunities, often 18–24 months
• Collaborate closely with another BDM to develop strategy, share market insight, and support joint account coverage
• Passively support inbound and cross-industry opportunities outside primary active markets
• Partner with internal engineering and applications teams to deliver customized automation solutions
• Lead customer discovery, solution positioning, and long-term relationship management
• Prepare thoroughly for customer meetings and maintain consistent follow-up throughout the sales process
• Coordinate with global KEB teams when supporting multinational customers
• As experience grows, contribute to go-to-market strategy, emerging market exploration, and industry prioritization

What We’re Looking For

Required

• Experience in technical or industrial sales
• Comfort operating within long, consultative sales cycles
• Strong preparation skills and the ability to clearly explain prior sales environments and strategies
• Coachable, self-motivated, and able to execute within an established strategy
• Ability to build trust with both customers and internal technical teams

Nice to Have

• Exposure to industrial automation, drives, or motion control
• Electrical or Mechanical Engineering background
• Experience selling into E-Mobility or adjacent industrial markets

Travel & Location

• Based in Shakopee, MN
• Typical travel around 25%, with occasional peaks up to approximately 40%
• Travel primarily within North America
• Opportunity to visit KEB headquarters in Germany after the first year

Compensation & Growth

• Base Salary: $90,000–$140,000 + OTE
• Variable compensation tied to achievable, balanced sales objectives
• Multi-market coverage helps protect earnings through shifting industry cycles

Why KEB America

• Highly engineered, customized automation solutions
• Long-term, relationship-driven customer engagements
• Strong internal technical support so sales can focus on selling
• Stable growth backed by KEB Germany with continued investment in emerging markets

We offer an excellent work-life balance and competitive salaries and benefits, including:

* Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance Plans
* Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
* Health Saving Account (HSA)
* Paid Time Off (PTO) & Paid Holidays
* 401(k) Match
* Tuition Reimbursement
* Opportunities for Advancement
* And More...