JR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE (Cincinnati Metropolitan Area)

Business Development Associate

Packaged Ice and Industrial Markets

Department: Sales / Business Development

Reports To: Business Development Manager or Sales Leadership

FLSA Status: Exempt

Employment Status: Full-time

Location: Cincinnati, OH area with regular field travel

Travel: Approximately two weeks per month

Position Summary

The Business Development Associate is an early career sales role that supports company growth in the Packaged Ice and Industrial markets. The Associate learns the product line, assists with prospecting and client meetings, prepares presentations and supporting materials, and helps move opportunities forward under the guidance of a Business Development Manager or senior sales leader.

This role is designed for someone who communicates well, is comfortable in both office and plant environments, and is willing to learn the technical side of production equipment, material handling, construction, and refrigeration. Success is measured by activity, product knowledge growth, quality of client support, and contribution to closed business.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

• Learn the company's learning and product lines, including features, benefits, target customers, pricing basics, and competitive advantages.
• Support presentations of products and services in Packaged Ice and Industrial markets that can help a client's operation.
• Prepare presentation decks, product sheets, pricing summaries, and other client facing materials with guidance from senior team members.
• Assist in developing product or program suggestions for clients and support the sale of those recommendations.
• Build working knowledge of production, equipment, material handling, construction, and refrigeration so you can participate in technical conversations.
• Take and communicate measurements, sizing, and other technical details needed for engineering and quoting, with review by a senior team member.
• Attend client appointments for sales presentations, plant walks, and follow up visits, often traveling with a senior seller.
• Help manage billing and delivery coordination for sold products as assigned.
• Follow up on sold products and services to confirm we met the client's needs and to flag issues quickly.
• Maintain a simple pipeline or activity log of prospects, meetings, quotes, and next steps.
• Attend industry events, conferences, and networking opportunities to support brand visibility and learn the market.
• Build and maintain professional contacts with clients, partners, and internal teammates.
• Collaborate with marketing, engineering, operations, and customer care so quotes and projects move cleanly.
• Stay current on products and industry basics through workshops, publications, and internal training.
• Contribute ideas to territory or product growth plans; ownership of a full independent growth plan is not required at this level.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• Willingness and ability to travel approximately two weeks per month, including plant visits and industry events.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Interest in B2B sales and customer facing work; 0 to 2 years of sales, customer service, inside sales, or internship experience preferred.
• Willingness to learn technical product details; prior industry selling experience is helpful but not required.
• Solid organization skills and attention to detail.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and comfort entering data accurately in ERP or CRM systems.
• Ability to work in a paced sales environment, manage multiple tasks, and follow through.
• Professional presence, coachability, and comfort asking questions.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel by car and air.
• Associate or bachelor's degree preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Coursework or experience in business, sales, industrial technology, construction, refrigeration, or manufacturing.
• Exposure to capital equipment, distribution, or engineered solutions.
• Spanish language skill is a plus.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 15 pounds unassisted.
• Ability to travel for extended periods by car and airplane.
• Ability to communicate information in person, by phone, and by video.
• Ability to walk plant floors and work in environments that may include extreme seasonal temperatures, noise, and industrial conditions.
• Ability to take field measurements and observe equipment in operation.

Note

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job related instructions and to perform any other job related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an at will relationship.