New Business Development Manager (Greater Indianapolis)

WHO WE ARE

At Yamaha Precision Propellers, we're more than a manufacturing company—we're a team of innovators, problem-solvers, and craftspeople dedicated to delivering exceptional marine performance. By producing precision-engineered propellers for Yamaha outboard motors, we help create better experiences for boaters while providing rewarding careers for the people who make it all possible.

We make high-quality products while supporting our teams and local communities by providing great careers in a safe, respectful, and innovative environment.

We are seeking a New Business Development Manager to drive growth for our investment casting foundry and business by identifying new customers, expanding into new markets, and developing opportunities for a broader range of precision cast components. This individual will work closely with customers, engineering, estimating, quality, and operations to evaluate new business opportunities, manage RFQs, support technical discussions, and secure profitable new business.

The successful candidate will have a strong background in technical sales or business development within manufacturing and a demonstrated ability to develop customer relationships in engineered component markets. Experience in investment casting, metalcasting, energy, medical, industrial equipment or related industries is strongly preferred.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

New Customer Development

• Identify and pursue new customers primarily focusing on investment castings.
• Develop target account lists across strategic markets such as energy, industrial equipment, medical, automotive, marine, pumps/valves, and general engineered components.
• Build relationships with engineering, sourcing, purchasing, quality, and executive-level customer contacts.
• Lead prospecting efforts through cold outreach, trade shows, industry networks, referrals, and market research.
• Maintain an active pipeline of qualified opportunities and provide regular updates to leadership.

Market Diversification

• Identify new industries and applications where the foundry’s casting capabilities can be competitively positioned.
• Evaluate opportunities to diversify casting offerings by alloy, casting size, complexity, tolerance requirements, certification needs, or end-use market.
• Research competitor capabilities, pricing trends, customer needs, and market gaps.
• Recommend strategic business development initiatives to expand the foundry’s addressable market.

Technical Sales & Customer Support

• Work with customers to understand part requirements, drawings, specifications, annual volumes, quality standards, and commercial expectations.
• Coordinate internally with engineering, estimating, quality, operations, and metallurgy teams to evaluate manufacturability and quoting feasibility.
• Support technical discussions related to alloy selection, casting design, tooling, tolerances, surface finish, heat treatment, machining, inspection, and qualification requirements.
• Assist customers in converting machined, fabricated, forged, or welded components into investment castings where appropriate.

Quoting & Commercial Management

• Lead the commercial process for new business opportunities from initial inquiry through quote submission and award.
• Coordinate RFQs, NDAs, technical reviews, cost estimates, tooling quotes, lead times, and commercial proposals.
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, tooling agreements, blanket orders, long-term agreements, and supply contracts.
• Track win/loss activity and use feedback to improve competitiveness.

Project Launch & Account Transition

• Support new product introduction from award through tooling, sampling, qualification, and first production orders.
• Serve as a bridge between the customer and internal teams during early-stage development.
• Ensure customer expectations are clearly communicated regarding lead times, quality requirements, documentation, and production readiness.
• Transition mature accounts to account management or customer service teams as appropriate while continuing to identify growth opportunities.

Reporting & Strategy

• Maintain accurate CRM records, sales pipeline status, forecasted revenue, and customer contact history.
• Provide regular reports on new business activity, quote volume, market trends, and growth opportunities.
• Participate in sales strategy meetings and contribute to annual growth planning.
• Recommend investments in certifications, alloys, equipment, finishing capabilities, or partnerships that may support market expansion.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

· Strong ability to read, interpret, and discuss technical drawings, specifications, GD&T, material requirements, and customer quality standards.

· Thorough understanding of manufacturing processes, including investment casting, machining, heat treatment, finishing, and assembly operations.

· Proven business development and sales skills with a demonstrated ability to identify opportunities, penetrate new markets, and secure profitable business.

· Strong prospecting, lead generation, and account development capabilities.

· Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with engineers, sourcing professionals, purchasing teams, operations leaders, and executive stakeholders.

· Advanced negotiation and commercial management skills, including pricing strategy, contract negotiations, supply agreements, and long-term business arrangements.

· Ability to manage complex RFQs and coordinate cross-functional teams throughout the quoting and business acquisition process.

· Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate manufacturing feasibility, customer requirements, market trends, and competitive positioning.

· Ability to identify opportunities to convert fabricated, forged, welded, or machined components into investment cast solutions.

· Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple opportunities and priorities simultaneously.

· Experience developing and executing strategic growth plans for new customers, products, and markets.

· Proficiency with CRM systems, sales pipeline management, forecasting, and business reporting.

· Strong customer relationship management skills with a focus on building long-term partnerships and customer retention.

· Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with engineering, quality, production, estimating, metallurgy, and leadership teams.

· Strong presentation and public speaking skills for customer meetings, technical reviews, trade shows, and industry events.

· Knowledge of manufacturing quality systems and industry standards, including ISO 9001, AS9100, ITAR, PPAP, NADCAP, and customer-specific requirements.

· Financial acumen with the ability to understand costing, margins, pricing models, and return-on-investment considerations.

· Strategic thinking and market analysis skills to identify emerging opportunities, competitive threats, and diversification initiatives.

· High level of professionalism, initiative, persistence, and results orientation.

· Ability and willingness to travel as required to support customer development, business reviews, and industry events.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, or related field preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in business development, technical sales, account management, or commercial leadership in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience selling engineered components, castings, forgings, machined parts, fabricated assemblies, or similar industrial products.
• Strong ability to read and understand technical drawings, specifications, and customer requirements.
• Proven track record of developing new customers and growing revenue.
• Strong communication, negotiation, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with engineering, quality, production, estimating, and senior leadership.
• Willingness to travel to customers, trade shows, and industry events as needed (10-20% of time)

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience in investment casting, precision casting, foundry operations, or metalcasting.
• Experience selling into aerospace, defense, medical, energy, pumps/valves, industrial machinery, or automotive markets.
• Understanding of industry certifications and customer requirements such as ISO 9001, AS9100, NADCAP, ITAR, PPAP, or customer-specific quality systems.
• Experience with CRM systems and formal sales pipeline management.
• Existing relationships with OEMs, Tier suppliers, engineering firms, or sourcing teams that purchase precision castings is a]]>