Title

Business Development Manager – Sporting Optics

Department

Sales & Marketing

Reports to

VP of Business Development

RPO is a global leader in precision optical components, assemblies, and electro-optical systems. RPO specializes in a full spectrum of products & services including – Design and Engineering, Visible and Infrared Components, Glass and Plastic Molded Aspheres, Thin Film Coating, Optical Assembly and Electro-Optical Systems Integration. As one of the fastest growing companies in Rochester, RPO offers exciting career paths and work on market-leading programs.

RPO is looking for an experienced, highly motivated, and ambitious Manager of Business Development to join our team. This individual will be responsible for growing and managing RPO’s business relationships across the Sporting Optics market while developing and executing a multi-year strategy to further enhance RPO’s value add to the customer and maximizing the account’s impact to RPO through targeted relationship development and opportunity identification.

Job Summary:

The Business Development Manager (Sporting Optics) holds a pivotal role in driving strategic business growth by identifying, engaging, and securing long-term sustainable partnerships with leading sporting and outdoor product manufacturers requiring advanced precision optical solutions. Aligning customer and industry requirements to RPO capabilities and solutions, this position demands a dynamic individual with a proven track record in business development. The candidate must possess an in-depth understanding of precision optical solutions in sporting/outdoor/law enforcement and/or military product segments, having the ability to establish the company as a market leading supplier within the industry. The Business Development Manager must be responsible for collaborating with internal stakeholders to pursue advanced programs and capture critical new business, selling the value of RPO solutions.

Summary of Essential Job Duties:

• Prospecting & Lead Generation: Conducting market research to identify potential customers and key decision-makers within sporting & outdoor product manufacturers; developing and implementing effective prospecting strategies to generate and execute upon qualified leads.

• Engagement & Relationship Building: Initiating and nurturing relationships with key stakeholders to understand their unique requirements and challenges; collaborating with cross-functional teams to tailor solutions that align with customer requirements.

• Strategic Pursuit: Driving the development and execution of strategic business plans to pursue and secure bookings with identified prospects; leveraging a deep understanding of precision optical products to articulate the value proposition effectively and add maximum value to customers.

• Bookings Process Management: Leading the entire bookings process from initial contact through to technical engagements, sales negotiations and closure; working closely with program managers, engineers, contracts management and related internal partners to ensure seamless transactions and client satisfaction.

• Pipeline Growth: Developing and maintaining a robust, sustainable pipeline of opportunities to achieve and exceed bookings targets/sales goals; implementing innovative approaches to expand the company’s footprint within the sporting optics manufacturing sector.

• Market Positioning: Positioning RPO as a market-leading supplier of precision optical products through effective relationship management, tradeshow and outbound sales engagements; staying abreast of industry trends, competitor activities, and market dynamics to inform strategic decision-making and technology innovations which capture new business opportunities.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Qualifications:

• Proven experience and long-lasting relationships with key decision makers in major sporting and outdoor, or Military/Law Enforcement optical and/or electro-optical products manufacturers with ability to establish and maintain strategic partnerships and collaborations.

• Fundamental understanding of precision optical products and their applications.

• Strong finance acumen and focus on profitable/value add customers.

• Ability to plan and monitor key sales metrics; ability to drive to exceed annual goals while balancing long-term strategic priorities.

• Demonstrated understanding of regional and/ or major account sales and ability to think strategically about new business opportunities, coupled with the ability to make sound – and tough – judgment calls.

• Monitor industry trends, competitor activities and emerging technologies to inform and adjust our sport optics business strategy as needed.

• Proven ability to fully understand customer needs and requirements.

• Budgetary assessment and planning experience to enable succinct forecasting at weekly, monthly, and quarterly intervals as required.

• Highly motivated, ability to handle many competing priorities within multiple accounts.

• Use of Salesforce, Hubspot, Epicor or other Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools

• Strong ability to work independently and with a team.

Additional Requirements:

Language Skills:

• Ability to read, analyze and interpret complex documents.

• Demonstrated leadership abilities and excellent written /oral communications skills are expected.

Educational & Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a business related field from an accredited institution.

• A minimum of 8 years of experience in business development, sales or product management within the Sporting Optics or Law Enforcement/Military products preferred.

• Effective network of customer contacts and must be familiar with the customer's major programs and upcoming initiatives and market pursuits.

Mathematical Skills:

• Ability to apply basic mathematical concepts.

Regulatory Requirements:

• Pursuant to ITAR, EAR, and other export compliance laws and regulations, applicants for this position must be U.S. Persons as defined by U.S. law, i.e., U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents ("Green Card" holders), persons granted refugee status or asylum status in the United States, or temporary residents granted amnesty.

Work Requirements:

Environment & Physical Demands:

• This position is primary remote. Occasional office attendance will be required as business dictates.

• Routine use of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, copiers, filing cabinets and fax machine.

• Prolonged sitting, computer, and telephone use, as well as standing, filing, bending, reaching, and lifting and carrying up to 15 pounds.

• Occasional exposure to manufacturing plant floor requiring the use of personal protective equipment (ear plugs, safety glasses, etc.)

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Travel:

• Ability to travel at least 50% of the time, as required, for RPO Business Development activities to include: customer visits, tradeshows, and other industry related events.

Compensation & Benefits:

RPO offers highly competitive, total compensation packages linked directly to employee’s professional experience. RPO’s benefits include: Tuition Reimbursement Program, Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Disability Insurance, Life Insurance, 9 paid holidays, generous paid vacation and sick time and a 401(k) plan after a 60-day waiting period. Additionally, we work a 4/10 work week that provides for every Friday as a non-work day.

Disclaimer:

This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Rochester Precision Optics is committed to leveraging the talent of a diverse workforce to create great opportunities for our business and our people.

EOE/AA/Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States, and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

RPO offers a competitive work life balance with a 4/10 work schedule!