Business Development Manager

📍 Location: North – East Italy

Are you a technically savvy sales professional with a passion for solving industrial challenges?
At James Walker, we engineer world-class sealing solutions for the most demanding applications across oil & gas, power generation, chemical processing, marine, and heavy industries.

We’re looking for a Business Development Manager who thrives in the field—someone who can build strong customer relationships, understand technical needs, and drive real growth through smart, strategic selling.

What You'll Do – Your Mission

As a Business Development Manager, you’ll be the frontline driver of growth and customer success in North-East Italy. You will strategically identify, develop, and tactically build and follow up a continuous pipeline of new business opportunities. You’ll join a small, flat-structured sales team (approximately 10 people, no local manufacturing or stock), within a multinational manufacturing and sales organization. You should enjoy both technical aspects and sales, as the role combines engineering knowledge with customer engagement.

Your key responsibilities include:

• Identify and develop new business opportunities to drive revenue and profitability, preparing proposals and presentations for key stakeholders.

• Manage a database of prospects and customer activities using company tools such as the Opportunity Pipeline Tracker (OPT).

• Oversee sales budgets, forecasts, and KPIs (e.g. sales growth, new customers, gross margin), ensuring targets are met or exceeded.

• Collaborate with the wider sales and technical teams to identify and secure new commercial initiatives.

• Engage with customers using a consultative, technical sales approach, understanding their operational needs and delivering effective sealing solutions.

• Promote the company’s full range of products and services through strong presentation and selling skills.

• Provide exceptional customer service and maintain long-term relationships.

• Prepare tenders and proposals for new business opportunities.

• Stay informed on market and competitor trends, sharing insights and new ideas with key stakeholders.

• Build professional networks through events, conferences, and social media to enhance brand awareness.

• Continue developing skills and knowledge through training, research, and professional events.

What You Bring:

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Proven success in business development, with a record of turning prospects into loyal customers and activating new or previously inactive sectors.

• Experience within the B2B manufacturing industry.

• Strong knowledge of customer and market dynamics within at least one of the following sectors:

• Biopharma

• Chemical & Petrochemical

• Defence

• Marine Transportation or Propulsion

• Metallurgical

• Oil & Gas

• Valves and Pumps

• Strong customer focus and professional, credible approach.

• Strategic mindset with solid commercial and analytical skills.

• Proven success in consultative and value-based selling, ideally with technical products.

• Excellent presentation, negotiation, and influencing skills.

• Self-motivated, adaptable, and able to work independently.

• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.

• Good relationship-building skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office.

• Basic understanding of engineering terminology and technical drawings.

• Valid driving licence and willingness to travel approximately 2–3 days per week.

• Experience working from a home-based office environment.

• Applicants must have native-level proficiency in Italian and professional level of English

Preferred:

• Technical background, preferably in mechanical engineering.

• Knowledge of sealing products and services.

• Experience working in multinational companies.

• Exposure to contractual negotiations in sales roles.

• Deep knowledge of James Walker products and applications.

Why James Walker?

We’re a globally trusted name with over a century of engineering excellence. At James Walker, you’ll:

• Join a market leader trusted by major global industries

• Work in a role where technical skill meets strategic selling

• Get autonomy, flexibility, and real ownership over your sales territory

• Have access to training, support, and career advancement opportunities

James Walker Values and Behaviours

Our values and ethos are central to the way we do business. They help to shape the culture of James Walker by defining the behaviors we expect from each other and guiding us in how we make decisions.

Treat others as they would like to be treated

Share your experiences and always welcome feedback

Earn people’s trust; see things from their point of view

Never stop learning; recognise failure and celebrate success

Understand our customers and what they need

Be an expert in what you do

Give your work the personal touch, showing people, you enjoy what you do

Deliver great service and make someone’s day

If something goes wrong, amaze people with a dazzling recovery

Make things happen and give it your best

Get it right first time and never pass on a fault

Keep your promises

Inspire others by the way you do things

Never be afraid to try something new

Ask yourself “is this my best?”

🚀 Ready to Elevate Your Sales Career?

If you’re ready to take your field sales experience to the next level in a dynamic, industrial environment, we want to hear from you.

📩 Apply HERE.