Closet Factory→
Business Development Manager at Closet Factory in Austin, TX
Skills
Job Description
Job Title: Business Development Manager Department: Sales Reports To: CEO Employment Type: Full-Time Compensation: Salary + Commission/ Bonus
Position Overview
The Business Development Manager is a high-impact, dual-focus leadership role designed to grow Closet Factory’s market share through both team excellence and partnership expansion. You aren’t just managing a pipeline; you are building one by networking with builders, interior designers, architects, other trade and retail partners.
You will spend a significant portion of your time "in the field" attending community events, hosting industry mixers, and securing new accounts while simultaneously recruiting, training, and coaching our design team to convert those leads into revenue.
1. Strategic Partnership & Pipeline Growth (The "Hunter" Role)
- New Business Acquisition: Identify, prospect, and secure new long-term partnerships with home builders, interior designers, architects, etc.
- Community Networking: Act as the "face of the brand" at trade shows, local events, and community mixers. You are responsible for maintaining a full personal pipeline of trade leads.
- Relationship Management: Cultivate a deep network of trade partners.
- Mobile Showroom Strategy: Manage the schedule and activation of showroom, ensuring it is positioned at high-traffic store locations and events to maximize brand exposure.
2. Team Leadership & Sales Training
- Recruitment & Mentorship: Hire, onboard, and motivate a high-performing team of in-home designers.
- Skill Development: Conduct regular training sessions on sales psychology, and technical product knowledge to ensure the team can close high-end trade projects.
- Performance Coaching: Ride along on sales calls to provide real-time coaching, ensuring the team meets or exceeds monthly volume targets.
3. Event Execution & Brand Excellence
- End-to-End Event Management: Plan and execute builder open houses, designer showcase nights, and home shows. This includes logistics, setup/breakdown, and most importantly lead capture and CRM entry.
- Merchandising & Compliance: Ensure all partner locations (showrooms/retail displays) are pristine, stocked with current marketing collateral, and reflect our premium brand standards.
4. Analysis & Operations
Sales Metrics: Analyze performance data to identify gaps in the sales funnel and pivot strategies accordingly.
Cross-Functional Liaison: Work closely with cross-functional teams, including marketing, production, and customer service, to ensure seamless execution of sales initiatives and exceptional customer experiences.
- Act as the escalation and problem-resolution lead for partnerships, ensuring swift and customer-centric solutions.
- Facilitate clear, consistent communication between internal teams and external stakeholders.
- Regularly update and disseminate FAQs, SOPs, and operational processes to all relevant stakeholders.
Market Research: Stay informed about industry trends, competitor activities, and market dynamics to identify new opportunities for growth.
Product Knowledge: Stay up-to-date on our product offerings, features, and benefits to effectively communicate with customers and address their needs.
Budget Management: Manage sales budgets effectively, ensuring resources are allocated efficiently to maximize ROI.
Qualifications
- Experience: Minimum 5–7 years in B2B/ B2C sales or strategic partnerships, specifically within the home improvement, construction, real estate or design industries is a plus.
- The "Rolodex" Factor: Proven track record of building a sales territory through cold calling, networking, and community involvement.
- Leadership: Experience managing and training a sales or design team; you must be able to teach others how to "close."
- Communication: Elite presentation skills you are equally comfortable pitching to a CEO of a construction firm or a room full of interior designers.
- Flexibility: Ability to work evenings and weekends as required for industry events and home shows.
- Logistics: Valid driver’s license and a reliable vehicle; this is a high-travel role within the local territory.
- Comfortable using digital platforms for reporting, training, and communications.
Preferred Traits
- The "Extroverted Strategist": You thrive in social settings and naturally turn a handshake into a business opportunity.
- Self-Starter: You don’t wait for leads to come to you; you enjoy the "grind" of finding new business.
- Proactive, energetic, and solutions-driven with a high degree of accountability, problem-solving and persistence.