Business Development Manager, BlankSlate

Job Description

Job Description

Business Development Manager – Private Brand & Custom Product Solutions

BlankSlate

Location: Hauppauge, NY Hybrid
Reports To: General Manager
Travel: Approximately 50%

At BlankSlate, we partner with leading brands to bring innovative bags, backpacks, luggage, and carrying solutions from concept to production. We're more than a manufacturer—we become an extension of our customers' product development teams, combining design, sourcing, manufacturing, and execution to bring great ideas to market.

This is an entrepreneurial Business Development role focused on accelerating the growth of our OEM and Private Brand business. We are looking for a proven hunter who thrives on creating opportunities, opening new doors, and winning new business—not simply maintaining existing accounts.

This position is approximately 80% new business development and 20% cultivating the growth of existing accounts. Success will be measured by your ability to identify, pursue, and win new OEM and Private Brand partnerships. The ideal candidate enjoys prospecting, networking, uncovering opportunities, and building relationships long before an RFQ is issued.

If you're already selling into consumer electronics, automotive, gaming, travel, musical, or lifestyle brands—and you're looking for an opportunity to build something bigger—we'd love to meet you.

What You'll Do

• Develop and execute a strategic plan to win new OEM and Private Brand business.
• Prospect through cold outreach, networking, referrals, trade shows, and industry events.
• Build relationships with product development, merchandising, sourcing, purchasing, and executive leaders.
• Lead opportunities from initial contact through RFQ, proposal, negotiation, product development, and production launch.
• Collaborate with Design, Product Development, Operations, and Supply Chain to deliver customer-specific solutions.
• Maintain a healthy pipeline, accurate forecasts, and achieve aggressive revenue goals.
• Travel approximately 50%

Who You Are

You are curious, competitive, and energized by building something new. You ask thoughtful questions, solve customer problems, and view yourself as a trusted advisor rather than a product salesperson. You enjoy creating opportunities from scratch and are motivated by winning new business.

What You'll Bring

• 5+ years of business development or consultative sales experience.
• Proven success in a hunter role with a strong track record of developing new business.
• Experience selling OEM, private label, custom manufacturing, or similar solutions.
• Existing relationships within consumer electronics, automotive, gaming, travel, musical, or related consumer product industries strongly preferred.
• Excellent presentation, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.

Why BlankSlate?

Backed by more than 85 years of product expertise through United States Luggage, BlankSlate combines the agility of a growing business with deep capabilities in design, sourcing, manufacturing, and production. You'll have the opportunity to build meaningful partnerships, work alongside talented product teams, and directly influence the growth of an exciting business.

We offer:

• Hybrid Work Schedule in Hauppauge Office (Mondays and Fridays REMOTE!)
• Competitive salary plus annual bonus incentive
• Generous PTO
• Paid Holidays  
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Additional benefits including paid Short Term Disability and Life Insurance
• Voluntary Long Term Disability & Identity Insurance available
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401K with company match
• Profit Sharing Plan
• Paid learning and development opportunities  
• Fun team building events
• Employee Discounts
• $5,000 Employee Referral Bonus
• College Scholarship Program for Employee’s children
• A collaborative, supportive culture recognized as one of Long Island's Top Workplaces

Our Core Values

• Family
• Keep your Commitments
• Whatever It Takes
• Respect & Dignity
• Smart & Steady
• Do the Right Thing
• Passion, Pride & Loyalty
• Humility