Sales Development Manager - Water & Environmental Markets

Graco•Dexter, MI

16d•$87,000 - $152,200•Remote

About The Position

QED Environmental Systems, a subsidiary of Graco, Inc., is seeking a strategic and commercially driven Sales Development Manager to lead growth initiatives across water quality, PFAS, groundwater monitoring, environmental remediation, and related environmental markets. This highly visible role combines market development, customer engagement, solution selling, and strategic growth planning to expand QED's presence in emerging and established water-focused markets. The successful candidate will identify and develop new business opportunities, build strategic customer and partner relationships, influence product and technology direction, and drive market expansion through a combination of commercial leadership, industry expertise, and market insight. This position offers the entrepreneurial energy of a focused environmental business backed by Graco's global resources, financial strength, and long-term commitment to innovation and growth.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Environmental Science, Marketing, or a related field.
5+ years of business development, sales, market development, or commercial leadership experience.
Demonstrated success identifying, developing, and converting new business opportunities within technical or industrial markets.
Experience building pipelines, opening new markets, and securing strategic customer relationships.
Ability to engage technical practitioners, commercial leaders, and executive decision-makers.
Strong business acumen and ability to connect customer needs with product, technology, and solution development.
Excellent communication, presentation, influence, and relationship-building skills.
Self-motivated, resilient, and comfortable working in a dynamic, growth-focused environment.
Experience utilizing CRM systems and commercial analytics tools.
Ability to travel approximately 25–40%.
Valid driver's license and ability to maintain insurability under Graco's fleet program.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a permanent and unrestricted basis.
This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship now or in the future (e.g., H-1B, TN, E-3, O-1, L-1, or employment-based permanent residence sponsorship).
Candidates working under temporary employment authorization, including F-1 OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, or similar programs, are not eligible for this position.

Nice To Haves

10+ years of experience in water quality, PFAS, groundwater monitoring, environmental remediation, instrumentation, environmental consulting, or related industries.
Working knowledge of environmental regulations, compliance requirements, and industry market drivers.
Experience building strategic partnerships, distribution channels, licensing agreements, or technology alliances.
Demonstrated success evaluating acquisition opportunities or emerging technologies.
Experience selling complex technical solutions into environmental, industrial, government, municipal, or consulting markets.
MBA or advanced degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Identify, prioritize, and pursue new business opportunities across water quality, PFAS, remediation, groundwater monitoring, and environmental markets.
Develop strategic growth plans for new market segments, customer groups, and geographic regions.
Build and maintain a robust pipeline through prospecting, networking, industry engagement, and market intelligence.
Develop account penetration strategies and stakeholder maps for high-value target customers.
Evaluate new applications, technologies, and market opportunities that align with QED's growth objectives.
Engage environmental consultants, engineering firms, contractors, regulators, municipalities, industrial end users, channel partners, and technology providers.
Lead discovery conversations to uncover customer challenges, regulatory drivers, and unmet market needs.
Position QED's solutions in a compelling manner that differentiates the company from competitors.
Partner with Sales, Product Management, Marketing, and Engineering teams to deliver customer-centric solutions.
Support strategic opportunities through the sales cycle and facilitate successful market adoption.
Monitor industry trends, regulatory developments, competitive activity, and emerging technologies.
Translate customer insights into growth initiatives, market priorities, and investment recommendations.
Influence product and technology roadmaps through direct customer engagement and market feedback.
Evaluate strategic partnerships, licensing opportunities, technology collaborations, and acquisition targets.
Support business case development for new growth platforms and market expansion initiatives.
Represent QED and Graco at industry conferences, trade associations, and professional organizations.
Establish and strengthen relationships with key industry stakeholders and thought leaders.
Build strategic partnerships that accelerate market access and business growth.
Serve as a trusted advisor to customers and partners within the environmental and water sectors.
Maintain pipeline activity, customer engagement, and opportunity data within CRM systems.
Track key business development metrics and provide regular updates to leadership.
Report on market trends, competitive developments, and growth opportunities.
Continuously refine business development strategies based on performance data and market dynamics.