Business Development Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Established in 1984, Marinex has experience in U.S.–Korea trade in industrial and defense-related components. We are building a U.S. market development business that connects capable Korean manufacturers with suitable U.S. customers through product and supplier evaluation, customer development, and dependable supply. Our goal is to create profitable, repeat business and extend proven approaches across additional products, manufacturers, and customers.

The Opportunity We seek an experienced business developer who can personally find new customers and advance opportunities from initial outreach through evaluation, quotation, first order, and repeat business. In this newly created, hands-on individual contributor role, you will work directly with the CEO to identify promising product and customer combinations and turn them into business.

You will start with a focused set of products and applications, build a practical prospecting and sales process, and document customer feedback and lessons that can guide future product and supplier expansion. Initial priorities are industrial and off-highway markets. Commercial aerospace and, later, defense opportunities will be considered as product readiness, supplier qualifications, and company capabilities support them.

Key Responsibilities • Prioritize equipment manufacturers, system integrators, Tier 2 and Tier 3 suppliers, and technical distributors based on product fit and commercial potential. • Find purchasing and engineering decision-makers and initiate outreach through research, calls, email, introductions, customer visits, and industry events. • Identify customer sourcing needs, technical requirements, purchasing timelines, and supplier approval processes. • Coordinate product-fit reviews, technical discussions, quotations, samples, and qualification activities with our engineer and manufacturing partners. • Manage opportunities through RFQ, proposal, evaluation, first order, and repeat purchases. Maintain clear records of customer feedback, next actions, and dates. • Evaluate pricing, landed cost, lead times, minimum order quantities, and payment terms with the team to develop profitable business. • Explore additional manufacturing partners or sourcing opportunities when a specific customer need supports a viable business case.

Why Join Marinex Work directly with the CEO to shape a new area of growth within an established business. You will draw on Marinex’s supplier relationships, internal engineering collaboration, and existing order and logistics capabilities while taking direct responsibility for customer development.

Required Qualifications • 5+ years of B2B business development or technical sales experience, with a demonstrated record of personally winning new customers. • Relevant experience selling industrial components or equipment, off-highway products, actuation, hydraulics, powertrain, precision components, or related engineered products. • Experience advancing opportunities you originated through customer qualification, RFQ or proposal, and first orders. • Ability to reach purchasing and engineering decision-makers without relying on an established flow of inbound leads. • Comfort discussing technical products and coordinating application requirements with engineers and manufacturer specialists. • Strong English communication, commercial judgment, research skills, and consistent follow-through. • Ability to work independently in a small-company environment, work from Brea, and travel approximately 20%–25%, including occasional international trips.

Preferred Qualifications • Relationships with relevant manufacturers, Tier suppliers, system integrators, or technical distributors. • Experience introducing international manufacturers to U.S. customers, supplier qualification, or contract manufacturing. • Mechanical engineering background or equivalent technical product experience. • Korean language ability or experience working with Korean manufacturers is a plus, but is not required.

How Success Will Be Measured Early goals will reflect the start date, product readiness, and customer sales cycles. We will assess customer-validated opportunities, RFQs, sample evaluations, and supplier qualification progress, followed by first orders, gross profit, and repeat business. Progress must be supported by customer feedback and concrete next steps.

Compensation and Benefits • Base salary: $115,000–$140,000 per year. Starting salary will reflect relevant experience and demonstrated new-customer development results. • Annual target performance bonus: 20% of base salary. Actual payout depends on achievement of agreed objectives under a written incentive plan, including qualified opportunity milestones and profitable business results; it is not guaranteed. • Compensation growth and additional performance incentives will be considered as demonstrated results and responsibilities expand. Any additional incentives will be defined in a written plan. • Medical benefits; paid holidays; vacation and sick leave; retirement/pension plan; and reimbursement of business travel expenses.

How to Apply Apply with your resume and a brief example of a new customer you personally developed. Explain how you found the opportunity, your role, the time to first order, and the outcome, including repeat business if applicable. Please anonymize confidential information.