Sales & Business Development Manager – Industrial Automation
Location: Bhosari, PCMC, Pune, Maharashtra
Experience: 10–15 Years
Industry: Industrial Automation & Engineering Solutions
Recruitment Partner: Antal International
About the Company
Our client is a globally established industrial automation and engineering solutions company specializing in the design, development, integration, and commissioning of advanced automation systems for manufacturing industries. The organization delivers customized automation solutions, automated production systems, assembly solutions, and advanced manufacturing technologies for leading customers across various industries.
Role Summary
We are looking for an experienced Sales & Business Development Manager to drive business growth, develop strategic customer relationships, identify new market opportunities, and achieve annual order intake and profitability targets for industrial automation solutions.
The role requires a combination of technical sales expertise, strategic business development, commercial negotiation, and team leadership, with a strong focus on customized assembly lines, special-purpose machines (SPM), robotic automation, and testing systems.
Key Responsibilities
1. Sales Strategy & Business Development
- Develop and implement sales and business development strategies aligned with the company's growth objectives.
- Identify new business opportunities, target industries, and potential customers in India and international markets, where applicable.
- Develop new accounts and expand business with existing customers.
- Establish and maintain relationships with automotive OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, and customers in automotive electronics, electrical and electronics, medical technology, and other relevant industries.
- Identify upcoming customer investments, new manufacturing programs, plant expansions, and automation requirements.
- Build a robust sales pipeline and ensure a healthy portfolio of short-term and long-term opportunities.
- Achieve annual targets for order intake, revenue, and profitability.
2. Key Account Management
- Develop strategic relationships with key customers and decision-makers across engineering, manufacturing, purchasing, and management functions.
- Understand customer requirements, investment plans, technical challenges, and long-term automation strategies.
- Conduct regular customer visits, business reviews, technical presentations, and commercial discussions.
- Develop account plans to increase customer penetration and secure repeat business.
- Resolve escalated customer concerns and maintain long-term business relationships.
3. Technical Sales & Solution Development
- Understand customer RFQs, technical specifications, manufacturing processes, and automation requirements.
- Coordinate with engineering teams to develop competitive automation concepts and technical solutions.
- Lead technical and commercial discussions, including project scope, feasibility, costing, pricing, and delivery schedules.
- Ensure timely submission of high-quality technical and commercial proposals.
- Promote solutions such as:
-
- Customized assembly lines and special-purpose machines.
- Robotic automation and material handling systems.
- Assembly and testing equipment.
- End-of-line testing systems and functional testers.
- Automotive electronics and sensor assembly automation.
- Turnkey manufacturing and process automation solutions.
4. Commercial Management & Order Closure
- Lead commercial negotiations with customers to achieve competitive pricing and targeted project margins.
- Review quotations, costing assumptions, risk provisions, payment terms, and commercial conditions before submission or final negotiation, in line with company approval procedures.
- Drive quotation follow-ups and convert opportunities into confirmed purchase orders.
- Evaluate project profitability, commercial risks, customer creditworthiness, and contractual obligations.
- Coordinate with finance and management for customer financing requirements, advance payments, and payment milestones.
- Ensure proper handover of confirmed orders to project management and engineering teams.
5. Market Intelligence & Strategic Planning
- Monitor market trends, customer investment plans, competitor activities, and industry developments.
- Identify new sectors, technologies, and geographical markets with growth potential.
- Prepare market development plans and recommend strategic actions to strengthen the company's market position.
- Analyze lost orders and competitor quotations to identify areas for improvement.
- Support management in preparing annual budgets, sales forecasts, and business growth plans.
6. Sales Pipeline & Performance Management
- Maintain accurate sales forecasts, opportunity tracking, and customer records in the CRM/ERP system.
- Conduct regular pipeline reviews and report order intake forecasts, probability of conversion, expected order timing, and major business risks.
- Track quotations, customer feedback, order conversion rates, and sales performance against targets.
- Prepare monthly and quarterly sales reports for management.
- Ensure systematic follow-up of all active RFQs and business opportunities.
7. Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Coordination
- Lead, guide, and develop the sales and business development team.
- Define individual sales targets, responsibilities, and performance objectives.
- Coach team members on technical sales, customer engagement, negotiation, and opportunity management.
- Coordinate with engineering, project management, procurement, production, and finance teams to ensure alignment between customer commitments and execution capabilities.
- Represent the company at customer meetings, industry events, exhibitions, and business development forums.
Educational Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Mechatronics, or a related engineering discipline.
- MBA in Sales, Marketing, or Business Management will be an added advantage.
- 10–15 years of experience in industrial automation sales, technical sales, or business development.
- At least 3–5 years of experience in a sales leadership or business development management role is preferred.
- Proven experience in selling customized automation equipment, assembly lines, SPMs, robotic systems, or testing equipment.
- Established relationships with automotive OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, or industrial manufacturing customers will be an advantage.
- Demonstrated track record of achieving order intake targets and securing profitable automation projects.
Key Skills & Competencies
- Strong technical understanding of industrial automation and manufacturing processes.
- Excellent business development, networking, and strategic account management skills.
- Strong commercial negotiation, pricing, costing, and contract management capabilities.
- Ability to understand technical RFQs and coordinate the development of competitive solutions.
- Strong leadership, communication, presentation, and decision-making skills.
- Proficiency in MS Office, CRM, and ERP systems.
- Ability to manage multiple opportunities and work effectively with cross-functional teams.
- Willingness to travel extensively within India and internationally, as required.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Order Intake: Achievement of annual order booking targets.
- Sales Pipeline: Development and maintenance of a qualified pipeline of new business opportunities.
- Order Conversion: Improvement in quotation-to-order conversion rate.
- Profitability: Achievement of targeted gross margins and project contribution.
- New Customer Acquisition: Development of new strategic accounts and customers.
- Existing Customer Growth: Increase in repeat business and share of wallet.
- Forecast Accuracy: Reliability of monthly and quarterly sales forecasts.
- Market Development: Successful entry into new sectors, accounts, or geographical markets.
- Team Performance: Achievement of individual and team sales targets.
- Customer Satisfaction: Strengthening customer relationships and maintaining long-term business partnerships.
Expected Deliverables
- Develop a sustainable and qualified sales pipeline to support the company's annual and long-term growth plans.
- Secure profitable automation projects aligned with the company's technical capabilities and commercial objectives.
- Establish new strategic customer relationships and expand existing accounts.
- Improve order conversion through structured opportunity management and customer engagement.
- Provide reliable business forecasts and market intelligence to management.
- Build a disciplined, performance-oriented sales and business development function.
Personal Attributes
- Entrepreneurial mindset with strong ownership of business results.
- Proactive, customer-focused, and commercially driven.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to identify and convert business opportunities.
- Results-oriented leader capable of working independently.
- Strong integrity, professionalism, and commitment to customer satisfaction.
Interested candidates may share their updated CV along with answers to the questions below at [email protected]
- Total Years of Experience –
- Relevant Experience in Industrial Automation Sales / Business Development –
- Notice Period – Buyout Option –
- How soon can you join if selected for this role? –
- Current CTC + Variable –
- Fixed CTC –
- Expected CTC –
- Reason for Job Change (Please specify briefly) –
- Current Location –
- Ready for Job Location – Bhosari, PCMC, Pune, Maharashtra? –
- Native Place –
- Current Designation –
- Current Company Turnover –
- To whom are you currently reporting in your existing company? (Designation) –
- Highest Qualification / Education –
- Years of experience in selling Industrial Automation solutions (Assembly Lines, SPMs, Robotics, Testing Systems, etc.) –
- Experience handling Automotive OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, and other industrial manufacturing customers – Please specify key accounts/industries –
- Annual Sales / Order Intake Target and achievement in the last financial year –
- Experience in New Business Development, RFQ Management, Commercial Negotiations, and Order Closure – Please specify briefly –
- Experience in Sales Team Management – Please specify team size and responsibilities –