Senior Business Development Executive

Location: Hybrid | Greater Chicago Area (Chicago, IL)

A privately owned industrial manufacturer is searching for a proactive Senior Business Development Executive to lead commercial expansion efforts across its machining and forging segments. This opportunity offers direct access to executive leadership, strong backing for outbound sales, and the chance to shape the growth trajectory of a company in a high-investment transformation phase.

About the Role

As part of a lean, results-focused team, the Sr Business Development Executive will spearhead efforts to build relationships with new and previously inactive accounts while also expanding engagement within key client portfolios. This role is best suited for someone with a hunter mentality, comfort in field-based selling, and the ability to translate technical capabilities into strategic customer value.

Compensation & Perks

• Competitive base pay, performance-based variable incentives.
• Standard benefits including healthcare, 401(k), and travel reimbursement.
• Strong support from senior leadership, including ongoing coaching and development.
• Opportunity to shape your role, make a direct impact, and step into future leadership potential.

Key Responsibilities

• Secure new business in industrial manufacturing sectors by identifying, qualifying, and closing opportunities.
• Reengage underutilized or dormant client accounts to unlock new revenue streams.
• Drive strategic conversations through client site visits, discovery meetings, and needs-based selling.
• Collaborate with operations, finance, and engineering teams to assess feasibility, margin, and alignment with internal capabilities.
• Maintain consistent pipeline activity in CRM with clear opportunity status and forecast accuracy.
• Serve as a strategic voice in leadership meetings by sharing customer insights and emerging market signals.
• Represent the organization at trade shows, customer events, and key industry touchpoints.

Candidate Profile

• 5+ years in B2B commercial roles within industrial manufacturing (machining, forging, OEM, metal parts, or components industries).
• Demonstrated track record of winning new accounts and working long-cycle sales.
• Financial acumen around pricing, margin, cost structure, and ROI.
• Adept in managing multiple stakeholders, including engineers, plant leaders, and executive buyers.
• Comfort working autonomously in a fast-paced environment with clear revenue goals.
• Fluent in English; bilingual Spanish skills a plus.
• Frequent travel required (~50%).

Why Apply?

• Join during an exciting reinvestment phase and lead sales modernization.
• Autonomy and resources to build your own client book.
• Access to underleveraged accounts and scalable internal capabilities.
• Strong team environment with executive visibility and cross-functional collaboration.

About Blue Signal: 

Blue Signal is an award-winning, executive search firm specializing in sales & business development recruiting. We have a strong track record of finding top-performing talent in areas such as sales leadership, account management, and business development strategy. Learn more at bit.ly/3NNY1wM