Business Development Manager

Position Summary 

Forge Battery is seeking a highly motivated, results-oriented Business Development Manager to drive revenue growth and expand market adoption of the company's battery products and manufacturing capabilities. Reporting to the Senior Director of Battery Sales, this role is responsible for identifying, developing, and securing new business opportunities while growing strategic customer relationships across target markets.  

The ideal candidate is a resilient, self-driven business development professional who thrives in a fast-paced startup environment. This individual will own the full customer lifecycle, from prospecting and opportunity development through contract negotiation, customer onboarding, and account growth. The Business Development Manager will work closely with Engineering, Operations, Product Development, Marketing, and Executive Leadership to deliver customer-focused solutions and achieve long-term revenue objectives 

Responsibilities 

Business Development & New Customer Acquisition 

• Own pipeline development, customer acquisition, and revenue generation activities. 

• Proactively identify and pursue new business opportunities through cold-calling, prospecting, referrals, networking, industry events, and strategic outreach. 

• Develop and execute business development strategies that support revenue growth and market expansion. 

• Build and maintain relationships with executive decision makers, engineering leaders, procurement teams, and operational stakeholders. 

• Maintain a strong pipeline of qualified opportunities and consistently achieve pipeline and revenue targets. 

• Deliver compelling presentations that communicate Forge Battery's value proposition, technical capabilities, and competitive advantages. 

• Represent the company at customer sites, industry conferences, trade shows, and networking events. 

Full-Cycle Sales Management 

• Manage the complete sales process from prospecting and qualification through proposal development, negotiation, and contract execution. 

• Lead customer discovery discussions to understand technical, operational, and commercial requirements. 

• Coordinate internal resources to develop customer solutions, proposals, and commercial strategies. 

• Negotiate pricing, supply agreements, statements of work, and strategic partnerships. 

• Support customer onboarding and program launch activities to ensure a seamless transition into execution. 

• Maintain accurate pipeline forecasts and CRM records throughout the sales cycle. 

• Meet or exceed quarterly and annual sales objectives. 

Account Management & Growth 

• Serve as the primary commercial point of contact for assigned accounts. 

• Develop trusted relationships with customers and key stakeholders. 

• Identify opportunities to expand existing customer relationships through new programs, products, and services. 

• Drive customer retention and long-term account growth through proactive engagement and responsiveness. 

• Coordinate cross-functional support to address customer needs and ensure customer satisfaction. 

Market Intelligence & Strategic Growth 

• Monitor market trends, customer requirements, competitive activity, and emerging technologies to identify growth opportunities. 

• Provide market intelligence and customer insights to support strategic planning and product development. 

• Partner with Engineering and Product Development teams to identify opportunities for battery cell, module, and energy storage solutions. 

• Support go-to-market strategies for new products, technologies, and manufacturing capabilities. 

Cross-Functional Collaboration 

• Collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Supply Chain, and Finance teams to support customer programs and business objectives. 

• Partner with Marketing on lead generation activities, campaigns, and customer engagement initiatives. 

• Support proposal development, pricing strategies, and contract reviews. 

• Ensure alignment between customer expectations and internal capabilities. 

Forecasting & Business Planning 

• Maintain accurate sales forecasts and revenue projections. 

• Track key business development metrics including:  

• Pipeline Value 

• Lead Conversion Rate 

• Customer Acquisition Rate 

• Revenue Growth 

• Win/Loss Performance 

• Customer Retention 

• Provide regular business development updates and strategic recommendations to leadership. 

• Support annual planning, budgeting, and growth initiatives. 

The following responsibilities represent the primary duties of this role and are not intended to be an exhaustive list. 

Qualifications 

Required Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Engineering, or a related field. 

• 10+ years of business development, sales, or account management experience within the battery, energy storage, advanced materials, manufacturing, or related technology industries. 

• Demonstrated success developing new business and consistently achieving revenue targets. 

• Experience managing complex B2B sales cycles from prospecting through contract execution. 

• Strong consultative selling, negotiation, and relationship management skills. 

• Ability to quickly learn complex technologies and effectively communicate technical concepts to diverse audiences. 

• Experience developing and executing strategic account and customer acquisition plans. 

• Proficiency with CRM systems and pipeline management tools. 

• Excellent communication, presentation, organizational, and interpersonal skills. 

• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, growth-oriented startup environment. 

Preferred Qualifications & Experience 

• Experience in lithium-ion batteries, battery manufacturing, energy storage, electrification, or related markets. 

• Established relationships with OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, battery manufacturers, or energy storage providers. 

• Technical understanding of battery cell technologies, modules, and energy storage applications. 

• Experience negotiating long-term supply agreements and strategic partnerships. 

• Experience supporting startup or high-growth technology companies. 

• Advanced degree in Business, Engineering, or a related discipline. 

Work Environment 

This position primarily operates in an office environment with regular interaction in laboratory and manufacturing settings. Employees entering production or technical areas may be required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including safety glasses, gloves, steel-toe footwear, lab coats, and hard hats as required. Strict adherence to company safety policies and operational procedures is required. 

Physical Requirements 

This position requires regular communication with customers, internal teams, and business partners. The employee may frequently sit, stand, walk, and use standard office equipment. Occasional visits to manufacturing facilities and customer locations may require extended periods of standing and walking. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role. 

Travel 

Up to 50% travel may be required to support customer meetings, prospect visits, industry conferences, trade shows, strategic partner engagements, and other business development activities. 

Compensation & Benefits 

Salary Range: $140,000.00 - $180,000.00 annually, plus competitive commission program for up to 10% of base salary. Compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, market conditions, and internal equity. 

Benefits Offered: 

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance 

• Life and Disability Insurance 

• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance 

• FSA and HSA Programs 

• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match 

• Paid Time Off (PTO) & Floating Holidays 

• Paid Company Holidays 

• Paid Parental Leave 

Forge Nano & Forge Battery are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.