Business Development Manager (BDM)

Our client is an established workforce solutions organization with nearly 50 years of experience supporting manufacturing, automotive, industrial, logistics, distribution, and light industrial employers throughout Michigan.

As the company continues to grow, they are seeking a Business Development Manager to drive new client acquisition throughout the Metro Detroit market.

This is a true outside sales opportunity focused on developing new business, opening new accounts, and building long-term client relationships through consistent face-to-face interaction.

The successful candidate will enjoy being in front of customers, visiting facilities, networking throughout the local business community, and creating opportunities through disciplined sales activity. This is not a desk-based sales role or a position built primarily around email and LinkedIn outreach.

The Business Development Manager will join a collaborative organization known for its strong culture, long employee tenure, community involvement, and continued investment in growth throughout Michigan.

Position Summary

The Business Development Manager is responsible for identifying, developing, and securing new staffing partnerships throughout Metro Detroit.

This role requires a proactive hunter mentality and the ability to build relationships with decision-makers, uncover workforce challenges, negotiate service agreements, and generate long-term recurring revenue.

Success will come from consistently being in the market, meeting prospective clients, visiting facilities, developing relationships, and creating new business opportunities.

The ideal candidate is comfortable balancing office collaboration with recruiters and leadership while spending significant time in the field meeting customers.

Responsibilities

The Business Development Manager will prospect and develop new staffing opportunities throughout Metro Detroit. This individual will conduct regular in-person sales calls with manufacturing, automotive, logistics, warehousing, industrial, and distribution companies.

The role will involve building relationships with hiring managers, plant managers, operations leaders, human resources professionals, and executive decision-makers. The Business Development Manager will identify workforce challenges, present staffing solutions, negotiate service agreements, and convert opportunities into active client relationships.

This individual will maintain an organized sales pipeline, manage opportunities through the full sales cycle, and work closely with recruiters to ensure new clients receive qualified candidates and strong service.

The Business Development Manager will also identify opportunities to expand the organization into additional geographic markets throughout Michigan.

Key Responsibilities

· Develop new staffing business throughout Metro Detroit.

· Conduct regular in-person prospecting and client meetings.

· Visit manufacturing plants, warehouses, distribution centers, and other prospective client locations.

· Build relationships with hiring managers, operations leaders, plant leadership, HR professionals, and executives.

· Identify client workforce challenges and recommend staffing solutions.

· Secure new service agreements, job orders, and staffing partnerships.

· Maintain an active sales pipeline.

· Collaborate closely with recruiters and branch personnel.

· Develop long-term recurring accounts.

· Identify strategic opportunities for geographic and branch expansion.

Performance Expectations

· ~50 meaningful decision-maker conversations per week.

· ~5 client meetings per week.

· ~6 new billing customers per quarter.

· ~9–10 new service agreements per quarter.

· Regular field activity throughout Metro Detroit.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of successful outside B2B sales or business development experience.

• Proven ability to prospect, develop, and close new business.

• Strong communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.

• Experience in manufacturing, automotive, industrial, logistics, skilled trades, or staffing is preferred.

• Reliable transportation with the ability to travel throughout Metro Detroit.

Preferred Qualifications

• Staffing industry business development.

• Temporary staffing/workforce solutions sales.

• Manufacturing, automotive, logistics, industrial or distribution sales.

• Existing Southeast Michigan relationships.

• Industrial supply or services sales experience.

Benefits

• Base salary: $50,000-$70,000 DOE.

• Uncapped monthly commissions.

• Residual commission opportunity.

• First-year earnings potential: approximately $90,000-$130,000+.

• Additional incentives tied to market expansion.

• Health insurance

• 401(k) with company match

• Paid holidays and PTO

• Monthly cell phone allowance

• Mileage reimbursement

• Company-issued laptop

• Professional development

• Career advancement opportunities