Business Development Manager

Sanders Industries Holdings•Lenexa, KS

23d

About The Position

AkroFire is seeking an experienced Business Development Manager (BDM) to drive growth for AkroFire’s fire and thermal management product portfolio. This role is centered on identifying and winning new business opportunities, building long-term customer relationships, and expanding AkroFire’s presence across the aerospace and defense markets, including OEM, defense, and aftermarket applications. While AkroFire is the primary focus, the BDM will work closely with the broader EMI/Fire team to support aligned growth initiatives and adjacent fire protection opportunities across the platform. The ideal candidate will combine technical understanding of fire protection and thermal management solutions with proven business development expertise to translate customer engineering requirements into successful commercial outcomes. About AkroFire: AkroFire delivers high-temperature insulation, fire protection, and thermal barrier solutions for aerospace and industrial customers. Our products support safety, performance, and compliance in mission-critical environments. Employees at AkroFire work in a dynamic, quality-driven environment where craftsmanship and innovation are at the center of everything we do.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required (business, engineering, or related field preferred).
5–10 years of experience in business development, sales, or account management, with consideration given to the overall combination of skills, industry exposure, and demonstrated results.
Background in aerospace and defense markets, particularly OEM or certification-driven environments.
Experience selling engineered products, materials, or solutions into technical customer organizations.
Demonstrated success in capturing, expanding, and managing complex, long-cycle accounts.
Ability to communicate technical fire and thermal management concepts to both engineering and business stakeholders.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
Proficiency with CRM systems such as Salesforce.
Self-starter with a proactive, opportunity-driven mindset and a record of delivering results.
Willingness to travel 50%–60% as required to support customers and business objectives.
This position requires access to information subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Employment is contingent upon the applicant being a “U.S. person” as defined by ITAR (22 CFR §120.15), which includes U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, refugees, or asylees, as required by U.S. export control laws.

Nice To Haves

MBA or advanced business training is a plus.

Responsibilities

Lead new business generation for AkroFire’s fire and thermal management products, including fireproof composites, insulation systems, elastomeric solutions, and repair products.
Actively support and grow AkroFire’s aftermarket patch and repair kit business by developing a strong understanding of voice of customer, monitoring competitive offerings and alternatives, and partnering with key channel partners and internal inside sales personnel to expand market share and identify new growth opportunities.
Build and execute sales strategies for OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, MROs, airlines, and key aerospace and defense accounts.
Identify, qualify, and develop new opportunities across aircraft platforms, engine zones, and adjacent applications.
Engage directly with customer engineering and program teams to support design-in activities and program capture.
Represent AkroFire at industry events, customer meetings, and targeted outreach initiatives.
Serve as a credible technical commercial interface, supporting discussions around fire zones, certification requirements, and application-specific solutions.
Partner with the VP of Business Development – EMI/Fire and AkroFire leadership to align growth strategy with overall business objectives.
Drive account expansion and market penetration across new programs, derivative platforms, and retrofit opportunities.
Build and maintain trust-based relationships with engineers, program managers, certification teams, and procurement leaders.
Educate customers on AkroFire’s differentiated engineering-led approach and certified fire and thermal management capabilities.
Collaborate with engineering, quality, and operations teams to develop tailored proposals, capture strategies, and executable solutions.
Monitor market trends, regulatory developments, and competitive activity to inform business strategy and opportunity targeting.
Collaborate with Marketing to develop and deploy targeted messaging, technical collateral, and customer-facing materials that support business development objectives.