Business Development Manager

Thorlabs is pleased to play a role in advancing science through the components, instruments, and systems we design and manufacture. We believe that science and innovation have great potential to improve the world around us and are committed to advancing photonics (i.e., light-based) technologies that positively impact our customers, employees, and communities. Via educational outreach and more sustainable business practices, we continuously invest in a brighter future. We recognize that each of our employees is a unique individual with the ability to contribute to our success and seek to find great people who will thrive in our fun, fast-paced culture.

The Business Development Manager works closely with the Technical Sales Manager to help identify, qualify, manage, and win key opportunities in target photonics markets and applications, focusing on instrumentation for metrology. This role will analyze and report on key business opportunities, developing strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders including customers, market analysts, sales, marketing, product development and internal leadership teams.

Essential Job Functions include the following, but are not limited to:

• Connect to key applications and market areas to act as voice of customer to internal sales, marketing and product development initiatives.
• Meet with clients in-person and online to understand their business requirements and ensure alignment with our product offerings.
• Conduct comprehensive market research to identify new business opportunities and stay abreast of industry trends and competitor strategies and tactics.
• Provide thought leadership in developing long-term growth opportunities.
• Develop and implement strategic business development plans to achieve Thorlabs sales growth targets.
• Develop close, technical, long-term relationships with key industrial customers and vendors
• Work closely with the Technical Sales Manager in creating future business development opportunities and sales strategy.
• Collaborate with the sales team to develop and implement strategic plans for key account growth
• Collaborate with the Global Channel Partners Manager and Channel Partners to support global sales growth and opportunities.
• Represent Thorlabs at conferences and tradeshows and maintain an active presence in the broader photonics community.

Requirements

Experience:

• Metrology:

5+ years of experience with metrology and/or photonics systems is required.

Experience in capital equipment sales or a related function in a photonics/optics manufacturing organization.

Experience working with sales management and lead generation software tools

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics or business or a related field; advanced degree preferred

Specialized Knowledge and Skills:

• Understanding of sales process and best practices - preferably within a direct, B2B inbound/outbound sales environment.
• Excellent communication skills and comfortable building presentations and presenting to senior leadership.
• Advanced MS Office proficiency: especially Outlook and Excel, Expert proficiency in Excel, ERP/MRP systems or CRM is highly desirable.
• Willing to constantly learn new technologies, new applications/markets, and newly developed products.
• Ability to fluently write and speak English.

Other:

Travel to other entities or tradeshows <50%

Thorlabs values its diverse environment and is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.  All qualified individuals will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age or veteran status. Job descriptions are not intended as and do not create employment contracts.  The organization maintains its status as an at-will employer.  Employees can be terminated for any reason not prohibited by law.

Benefits

Thorlabs offers a complete benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision insurance, company paid life insurance, a generous PTO package, a 401(k) plan, and tuition reimbursement just to name a few.