Business Development Representative

About Manifest AI: Manifest AI helps eCommerce brands increase conversions with an AI Shopping Assistant that answers product questions, recommends the right products, summarizes reviews, guides purchase decisions, and delivers personalized shopping experiences across every stage of the buyer journey. Backed by Y Combinator (S20) , Manifest AI is trusted by 500 global brands , including LEGO, Transformer Table, Imagine, Durex , and many of the fastest-growing Shopify merchants. We're helping merchants increase conversions, improve customer engagement, and create shopping experiences that feel as natural as talking to an in-store expert. As AI transforms how consumers discover and buy products online, we're building the digital store associate every eCommerce brand will rely on. About the Role: This isn't a typical Business Development Representative role. As one of our first Founding BDRs for North America, you'll work directly with the founders to build pipeline, create outbound strategies, and help shape how Manifest AI scales its go-to-market motion across the region. You'll engage with eCommerce brands, operators, founders, and enterprise retail teams, generating opportunities through a combination of outbound prospecting and inbound lead qualification. Beyond booking meetings, you'll help build the outbound playbook, experiment with new approaches, and contribute to the foundation of our sales organization. If you're excited about building from the ground up, thrive in fast-paced startup environments, and want to be part of the next wave of AI-powered commerce, you'll fit right in. What You'll Do: Generate qualified pipeline through a combination of outbound prospecting and inbound lead qualification across cold calls, email, LinkedIn, and account-based research. Own top-of-funnel pipeline generation by identifying high-potential accounts, engaging decision-makers, qualifying opportunities, and booking meetings for the sales team. Help build and refine Manifest AI's outbound playbook by experimenting with messaging, prospecting strategies, and account prioritization. Work directly with the founders on strategic accounts, customer conversations, and go-to-market initiatives across North America. Travel across the US with the founders for customer meetings, conferences, and industry events while representing Manifest AI to leading eCommerce brands. Maintain accurate CRM hygiene, activity tracking, and pipeline visibility using modern sales tools and best practices. Whom We're Looking For: 1-2 years of B2B SaaS business development or sales development experience with a proven track record of generating qualified pipeline. Experience prospecting through outbound channels while confidently qualifying inbound opportunities. Comfortable operating in fast-moving, zero-to-one startup environments with a high degree of ownership. Strong communicator who enjoys building relationships with founders, executives, and senior decision-makers. Hands-on experience using modern sales tools such as HubSpot, Apollo, ZoomInfo, LinkedIn Sales Navigator, and Nooks. Curious about AI and excited by how it's transforming eCommerce. Based in the New York City area and able to work in a hybrid environment while traveling across the US for customer meetings and industry events. Candidates with experience selling into Shopify brands, eCommerce retailers, or digital commerce teams will be strongly preferred. Whom We're Looking For: We're especially excited to meet candidates with backgrounds in eCommerce SaaS. Ideal experience includes selling: Shopify apps or Shopify ecosystem products eCommerce SaaS platforms AI or automation software Customer Experience (CX) platforms Marketing Technology (MarTech) Commerce technology Personalization, search, merchandising, or conversion optimization platforms Bonus points if you've worked with Shopify merchants, DTC brands, omnichannel retailers, or enterprise commerce teams. Perks & Benefits: Competitive Compensation ESOPs -- $125K OTE , and the opportunity to share in Manifest AI's long-term success through employee stock ownership. Work Directly with the Founders -- Partner closely with the founders, gain firsthand exposure to building a high-growth AI startup, and help shape our North America go-to-market strategy from day one. Travel Opportunities -- Represent Manifest AI at customer meetings, leading eCommerce conferences, and industry events across the US. Exposure to Events & Go-to-Market -- Collaborate on customer events, conferences, outbound initiatives, and marketing programs while learning how a category-defining AI company scales. Paid Time Off -- Recharge with paid vacation and personal leave. Paid Sick Leave -- Dedicated paid sick leave to support your health and well-being. Why Join Manifest AI? Be one of the founding members building our North America sales team. Work directly with the founders and influence how our outbound engine is built and scaled. Help define the sales playbook instead of simply following one. Sell a category-defining AI product that's transforming how people shop online. Join one of the fastest-growing categories in commerce technology. Partner with leading Shopify brands and global eCommerce retailers. Build your career while helping Manifest AI establish its presence across North America. #J-18808-Ljbffr