Business Development and Operations Associate

Cartesian Systems•Cambridge, MA

5d•$65,000 - $90,000•Onsite

About The Position

Cartesian is seeking a Business Development and Operations Associate to join their team at a critical growth phase. This role is designed for someone who can identify new business opportunities, cultivate relationships with potential clients and partners, and enhance the operational processes that fuel the company's expansion. The ideal candidate will possess strong communication skills, a proactive approach to ownership, a capacity for rapid learning, and a results-driven mindset. This position offers the chance to work closely with company leadership and collaborate across various departments, including product, engineering, and customer-facing teams, to influence Cartesian's growth trajectory and operational strategies. The company emphasizes a fast-paced environment that values ownership and high-quality output, providing significant responsibility and influence from the outset.

Requirements

3+ years of experience in business development, sales, operations, customer success, consulting, or a related field
Experience with customer outreach, lead generation, relationship management, or business development
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Ability to work independently and thrive in a fast-moving, ambiguous environment
Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities
Demonstrated ownership and a track record of getting things done

Nice To Haves

Startup or early-stage company experience
Retail experience
Experience in B2B sales, partnerships, consulting, or technology businesses
Familiarity with CRM tools such as HubSpot or Salesforce
Experience supporting operational improvements or cross-functional initiatives
Interest in AI, retail technology, logistics, or enterprise software

Responsibilities

Identify and research prospective customers, partners, and market opportunities
Execute outbound outreach campaigns through email, LinkedIn, phone, and other channels
Support business development efforts across the sales pipeline, including lead qualification, customer research, and meeting preparation
Coordinate customer meetings, follow-ups, and relationship management activities
Facilitate successful pilot and demo outcomes through customer support and cross-functional coordination
Conduct market, customer, and competitive research to inform strategy
Support partnerships, strategic initiatives, and special projects across the company
Improve internal processes and operational workflows as the company scales
Maintain CRM systems and track outreach, pipeline, and business metrics
Collaborate closely with leadership to help drive growth and operational excellence
Take ownership of projects from initial concept through execution