Business Development Manager - VFD/Automation

LS ELECTRIC America, Inc. Business Development Manager – VFD/Automation (Midwest) Territory: Midwest Region, United States Location: Remote – Candidates may reside anywhere within the Midwest Responsibilities Drive new business development across OEMs, system integrators, panel builders, and key end user accounts throughout the Midwest region, with a primary focus on VFD and automationsolutions. Develop and execute regional sales strategies to expand market share in control products and industrial automation, including VFDs, motion control, HMIs, PLCs, industrial networking, andrelated automation platforms. Identify, engage, and convert competitive accounts by positioning technical performance, system architecture advantages, lifecycle cost benefits, and long-term automation roadmaps. Manage the full sales cycle from opportunity identification through technical discovery, solution alignment, commercial negotiation, and close, coordinating closely with applications engineering. Build strong relationships with OEM engineering teams, controls engineers, plant managers, integrators, and executive stakeholders to embed automation solutions early in the design and specification cycle. Support and grow channel partnerships with distributors, integrators, and manufacturer representatives through joint sales calls, technical enablement, training initiatives, and collaborative go-to-market planning. Collaborate cross-functionally with applications engineering, product management, and marketing to ensure proper solution design, accurate proposals, and competitive marketpositioning. Maintain disciplined pipeline management, accurate forecasting, and opportunity tracking through CRM systems to provide clear visibility into regional activity and growth trends. Monitor competitor activity, technology shifts, and emerging VFD/automation trends within manufacturing, industrial, infrastructure, and HVAC/commercial building markets. Represent the company at regional industry events, trade shows, customer meetings, and technical forums. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in engineering, technology, or business is preferred; equivalent industry experience is fully acceptable. Required Skills 15+ years of experience in industrial controls, automation sales, OEM sales, or business development within industrial automation or related electrical/controls markets. Proven success selling VFD/Automation solutions through OEMs, system integrators, distributors, or direct end-user channels within the Midwest U.S. market. Strong technical understanding of industrial automation platforms, including VFDs, servo/motion systems, HMIs, PLCs, industrial networking, SCADA integration, or related control technologies. Demonstrated ability to displace incumbent automation platforms and grow market share through consultative, solution-oriented selling. Experience working alongside applications engineers or providing high-level technical guidance during pre-sales and system design discussions. Strong communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to engage effectively with engineering, operations, procurement, and executive-level decision-makers. Ability and willingness to travel regionally up to 50% to support customer, integrator, and channel engagement. Preferred Skills [Preferred] Deep industry knowledge or established network within the HVAC market, with a strong understanding of HVAC-specific VFD applications (e.g., pumps, fans, air handling units, chillers). [Preferred] Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office (particularly Excel and Outlook) and Salesforce (or similar CRM platforms) for reporting, communication, and disciplined pipeline/forecast management. Other benefits 100% Employer covered Health, dental and vision insurance 401K matching Long/short term disability insurance Life insurance Paid time off