Director of Business Development

WLS Companies•Highland Heights, OH

About The Position

The Director of Business Development is responsible for driving profitable, sustainable revenue growth for WLS Stamping by identifying, pursuing, and securing new customer programs in metal stamping, tool & die, and fabrication services. This role builds and manages a pipeline of new business opportunities, strengthens relationships with existing accounts, and represents the company's capabilities to OEMs and Tier 1/Tier 2 manufacturers across target industries. The Director works closely with Engineering, Quoting, Quality, and Operations to ensure new programs are quoted accurately, launched successfully, and aligned with the plant's capacity and capabilities.

Requirements

Experience in metal stamping, tool & die, and fabrication services.
Experience in identifying, pursuing, and securing new customer programs.
Experience building and managing a pipeline of new business opportunities.
Experience strengthening relationships with existing accounts.
Experience representing company capabilities to OEMs and Tier 1/Tier 2 manufacturers.
Experience working with Engineering, Quoting, Quality, and Operations.
Experience developing and executing strategic business development plans.
Experience identifying, qualifying, and pursuing new customer opportunities for progressive die stamping, transfer die stamping, metal fabrication, welding, and value-added assembly work.
Experience building and managing a robust sales pipeline using CRM tools.
Experience leading the RFQ process for new business.
Experience cultivating and maintaining long-term relationships with key accounts.
Experience negotiating pricing, payment terms, tooling agreements, and contracts.
Experience representing a company at industry trade shows, customer visits, and professional associations.
Experience monitoring market trends, competitor activity, and industry developments.
Experience partnering with Operations and Quality to ensure new program launches meet customer specifications, timelines, and quality requirements.
Experience preparing and presenting sales forecasts, pipeline reports, and win/loss analysis.
Experience supporting pricing strategy and margin targets.
Experience mentoring sales support, estimating, or account management staff.

Nice To Haves

Experience in automotive, agriculture, appliance, HVAC, electronics enclosures, or industrial equipment markets.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute a strategic business development plan to grow revenue across target markets (e.g., automotive, agriculture, appliance, HVAC, electronics enclosures, industrial equipment).
Identify, qualify, and pursue new customer opportunities for progressive die stamping, transfer die stamping, metal fabrication, welding, and value-added assembly work.
Build and manage a robust sales pipeline using CRM tools; track opportunities from lead generation through quote, award, and launch.
Lead the RFQ process for new business: gather customer requirements, coordinate with Engineering and Estimating to develop competitive, accurate quotes, and present proposals to customers.
Cultivate and maintain long-term relationships with key accounts, serving as a strategic point of contact for growth opportunities within existing programs.
Negotiate pricing, payment terms, tooling agreements, and contracts in coordination with senior leadership.
Represent WLS Stamping at industry trade shows, customer visits, and professional associations to build brand awareness and generate leads.
Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and industry developments (materials, tooling technology, reshoring/nearshoring trends) to inform sales strategy.
Partner with Operations and Quality to ensure new program launches meet customer specifications, timelines, and quality requirements (PPAP/APQP as applicable).
Prepare and present regular sales forecasts, pipeline reports, and win/loss analysis to executive leadership.
Support pricing strategy and margin targets in collaboration with Finance and Operations leadership.
Mentor and, as the department grows, help build out an inside sales/account management function.