Find & Apply For Business Development / Sales Manager Jobs in Solon, Ohio

Company Overview PDI Ground Support Systems, Inc. is a renowned manufacturer specializing in weapons and aircraft support equipment, primarily serving the United States Air Force, Navy, and over 50 allied air forces worldwide. Committed to quality and timely delivery, PDI maintains

ISO 9001

2015 certification and a reputation for excellence in the industry. Job Summary We are seeking an energetic and results-driven Sales Manager to lead our sales team and expand our market presence. In this pivotal role, you will develop strategic sales initiatives, foster strong customer relationships, and oversee daily sales operations to ensure targets are met. Your leadership will be essential in driving growth and maintaining our reputation for quality and reliability. The Sales Manager serves as a key point of contact between customers, sales personnel, program management, engineering, purchasing, production, quality, and executive leadership. This role requires strong communication, organization, technical understanding, and the ability to manage multiple opportunities and customer accounts in a defense and aerospace. This position reports directly to PDI's General Manager. Key Responsibilities Sales Leadership and Customer Management Manage customer accounts and support company-wide sales objectives. Develop and maintain strong relationships with customers. Identify new sales opportunities, follow-on business, and customer expansion opportunities. Monitor customer needs, upcoming requirements, and market opportunities. Support customer meetings, site visits, calls, and correspondence. Ensure timely and professional responses to customer inquiries, RFQs, solicitations, and requests for information. Monitor and manage PDI/KWD's ongoing CMMC cybersecurity requirements. Proposal and Quoting Support Review customer RFQs, drawings, specifications, statements of work, and solicitation requirements. Coordinate with engineering, purchasing, and production teams to develop accurate cost and lead time estimates for pricing and delivery commitments, where necessary. Use ERP system to review sales and cost history to be able to make accurate pricing recommendations on new (and recurring) opportunities. Support the inside sales team in preparation of formal quotes, proposals, and technical responses. Ensure proposals are complete, compliant, and submitted on time. Track open quotes and follow up with customers as appropriate. Assist with bid/no-bid recommendations and opportunity prioritization. Sales Operations Maintain visibility of active opportunities (ie pipeline report), quotes, awards, backlog, and customer activity. Careful review of customer purchase orders to ensure all relevant terms are included in the sales order confirmation, which is then flowed down to production team via an internal production schedule. Help assign and manage sales workload among sales team members. Monitor progress on key sales initiatives and customer accounts. Support sales forecasting, pipeline tracking, and management reporting. Ensure accurate documentation of customer communications, quote history, pricing assumptions, and contract requirements. Work with internal teams to resolve customer issues related to delivery, quality, pricing, documentation, or contract performance. Business Development Identify and pursue new customers, contracts, programs, and market segments. Prepare and provide PowerPoint presentations/briefings to customers, as needed. Monitor government procurement sites (ie DLA), customer portals, and industry sources for relevant opportunities. Support strategic growth initiatives in PDI/KWD's core business areas. Assist with market research, competitor awareness, and customer targeting. Represent the company professionally at customer meetings, trade shows, industry events, and conferences. Internal Coordination Coordinate with production to ensure awarded work is properly transitioned from quote to execution. Communicate customer priorities and delivery requirements to internal teams, where necessary. Assist in resolving issues that may impact customer satisfaction, delivery performance, or future sales. Support company compliance with quality system requirements, customer flow-downs, and contract terms. Work closely with executive leadership on major opportunities, strategic accounts, and high-value proposals. Qualifications Required Minimum 10-years prior experience in sales, account management, business development, estimating, program management, and/or customer service in a manufacturing, defense, aerospace, industrial, or technical environment. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to read and understand customer requirements, RFQs, specifications, and purchase order terms. Strong math skills, with a sound understanding of profit margin calculations. Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities at once. Proficiency with Microsoft Office (including TEAMS), ERP systems, email, and spreadsheets. Ability to work with cross-functional teams including sales, purchasing, quality, production, engineering, and finance. Professional judgment, attention to detail, and a customer-focused mindset. Preferred Experience with government contracting, defense manufacturing, military ground support equipment, aerospace, machining, fabrication, and/or parts distribution. Familiarity with FAR/DFARS, government solicitations, CAGE codes, NSNs, contract flow-downs, and defense customer requirements. Ability to read and understand engineering drawings. Prior leadership or supervisory experience. Familiarity with ISO 9001, AS9100, or similar quality management systems. Key Skills Customer relationship management Sales leadership Proposal and quote coordination Contract and requirement review Time management Problem solving Business development Follow-up and accountability Cross-functional coordination Technical communication Performance Expectations The Sales Manager will be expected to: Help grow company revenue and customer relationships. Ensure quotes and proposals are submitted accurately and on time. Maintain strong follow-up on open opportunities. Support customer satisfaction through clear communication and internal coordination. Help improve sales processes, tracking, accountability, and reporting. Represent PDI/KWD professionally with customers, vendors, and stakeholders.

Pay:

$110,000.00 - $125,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Parental leave Tuition reimbursement Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person