Business Development Manager

The role

The Business Development Manager will identify, qualify, and close six-figure deals with automotive manufacturers and suppliers. You will build a territory from the ground up and lead technical-commercial conversations to propose solutions.

What you will do

• Identify, qualify, and close six-figure deals with automotive manufacturers, Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, and industrial OEMs.
• Build a territory from the ground up using AI-powered lead intelligence and account-based outreach.
• Lead technical-commercial conversations with plant engineers, quality directors, and automation leaders.
• Develop ROI models and customized proposals.
• Collaborate with Solutions Engineering on POC scopes, demos, and deployment planning.
• Grow strategic accounts.

Required qualifications

• 5+ years of B2B business development or technical sales in industrial automation, machine vision, robotics, or manufacturing technology.
• Proven track record of building pipeline from scratch and closing long-cycle, solution-based deals with Tier 1 manufacturers or OEMs.
• Comfortable on plant floors and in executive conversations.
• Experience collaborating with engineering teams on proposals, POC designs, and system demonstrations.
• Deep familiarity with the Michigan and Ohio manufacturing landscape.
• Willingness to travel 50-70%.

Nice to have

• Direct experience selling to Tier 1 automotive suppliers (Magna, Lear, Aptiv, BorgWarner, Martinrea, Dana, and similar).
• Background in machine vision, 3D vision, or robotics automation software.
• Experience using AI tools for lead generation, pipeline management, or deal forecasting.

Benefits

• Equity from day one
• Every employee is an owner

About the company

Apera is a Vancouver-based company at the forefront of robotics, AI, and machine vision. They provide 4D Vision software and tools to help manufacturers make factories more flexible and productive.