Business Development Specialist I

Interstate Batteries•Ridgeland, MS

10d

About The Position

The Business Development Specialist I drives profitable growth among existing accounts and acquires new business within an assigned territory. As the primary sales leader in the Distributor, this role collaborates with the team and manages a strategic group of customers. The position involves frequent travel to customer sites and regular engagement with dealers, with compensation consisting of base salary and variable compensation tied to sales performance. The specialist identifies, qualifies, pursues, and wins new Traditional Independent Licensed Dealer (ILD) and Non-Mandated National Account Customers (NAC). They develop an assigned list of approximately 100 identified growth dealers, maintain relationships through in-person meetings, site visits, and networking events, and conduct business reviews to identify opportunities and recommend plans. The role also supports dealer onboarding, including setting up racks, batteries, point-of-purchase materials, and testers, ensuring route coverage and proper documentation, and answering questions about programs, products, and services. The specialist educates dealers about programs, products, development opportunities, and training; uses Salesforce for prospecting, pipeline development, activity documentation, and closing business; communicates pricing actions; and assists with accounts receivable collection calls or customer visits as needed. They are expected to make at least 40 in-person sales calls per week and meet or exceed targets for new unit sales, growth dealer goals, and average price per unit sold. They respond to dealer issues and complaints and collaborate with internal teams to support customer satisfaction and account growth.

Requirements

Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
Excellent customer service skills and a results-driven mindset.
Strong negotiation and closing skills and the ability to meet or exceed sales quotas.
Ability to work independently and manage time effectively while covering a designated area.
Concise and professional written, presentation, and verbal communication skills.
Experience with MS Office and Excel required.
Clean driving record, ability to meet driver qualification requirements, and reliable transportation.
Ability to regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds without assistance and occasionally lift up to 75 pounds.
Ability to perform frequent sitting, walking, and standing for the duration of the work schedule.
Specific vision abilities including close vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Ability to work a flexible schedule based on client availability, including occasional evening or weekend events.

Nice To Haves

1–2 years of business-to-business sales experience preferred.
Experience in outside sales, business development, or field-based account management preferred.
Bachelor’s degree preferred.
Demonstrated ability to lead and develop sales.
Experience with Salesforce, Concur, Workday, and/or Tableau preferred.
Comfort working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with frequent travel.

Responsibilities

Identify, qualify, pursue, and win new Traditional Independent Licensed Dealer (ILD) and Non-Mandated National Account Customers (NAC) for the Distributor.
Travel regularly within the assigned territory to engage with dealers.
Set up new customers physically with racks, batteries, point-of-purchase materials, and testers; ensure they are on route, have proper documentation, and have their program, product, and service questions answered.
Educate dealers on relevant programs, products, development opportunities, and available training.
Develop an assigned customer list of approximately 100 identified growth dealers.
Maintain relationships with new and existing dealers through in-person meetings, site visits, and networking events.
Conduct business reviews for growth dealers as required, covering current performance, identified opportunities, and recommended plans.
Assist with additional dealer visits beyond growth dealers as needed.
Use Salesforce daily for prospecting, pipeline development, activity documentation, and closing business.
Communicate pricing actions to operation dealers by reviewing the monthly Gross Profit report and responding when required.
Assist with Accounts Receivable collection calls or customer visits as needed.
Make a minimum of 40 in-person sales calls per week, including prospecting, proposal presentations, and existing dealer calls focused on growth opportunities.
Visit NAC dealer locations within the market based on company needs.
Meet or exceed established targets, including new unit sales production, growth dealer goals, and average price per unit sold.
Respond to and manage dealer issues and complaints.
Collaborate with Market General Managers, Assistant Market General Managers, Route Sales Managers, and Office and Warehouse Team Members to support customer satisfaction and account growth.