Sr Account Manager - Custom Sales

Description

Our Sr Account Manager - Custom Sales at Liberty Custom, a division of Liberty Diversified International (LDI), is driven and customer-focused to accelerate the growth of our contract manufacturing business. This role is responsible for developing new customer relationships, expanding existing accounts, and serving as the primary point of contact throughout the customer journey - from initial opportunity identification through production launch and ongoing account management.

The ideal candidate understands the value of engineering-driven manufacturing solutions and can effectively connect customer needs with Liberty Custom's capabilities in sheet metal fabrication, welding, powder coating, assembly, packaging, and value-added manufacturing services.

Unlike traditional sales roles, this position works closely with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and Production teams while facilitating direct technical communication between internal engineers and customer engineering teams to ensure successful project execution.

This position will report to the Director Custom Sales at our LDI headquarters in New Hope, Minnesota.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Business Development & Sales Growth

• Develop and execute strategic sales plans to capture new contract manufacturing opportunities across target industries including data centers, industrial equipment, energy, transportation, infrastructure, material handling, and OEM manufacturing.
• Identify, qualify, and pursue new business opportunities through prospecting, networking, referrals, industry events, and strategic outreach.
• Build relationships with key decision-makers including engineering, procurement, supply chain, operations, and executive leadership teams.
• Lead customer presentations, facility tours, capability reviews, and business development meetings.
• Drive revenue growth while maintaining profitability targets and strategic account objectives

Customer & Engineering Engagement

• Serve as the primary customer advocate throughout the entire product lifecycle.
• Coordinate direct communication between internal engineering teams and customer engineering teams to ensure technical requirements are clearly understood and executed.
• Facilitate Design for Manufacturability (DFM) discussions that improve product quality, reduce cost, and shorten lead times.
• Assist customers in transitioning products from prototype through production launch.
• Manage customer engineering change requests (ECRs), product revisions, and manufacturing improvement initiatives.
• Ensure customer expectations regarding quality, delivery, and responsiveness are consistently achieved.

Contract Manufacturing Solutions

• Leverage Liberty Custom's capabilities including:
  • Precision sheet metal fabrication
  • Laser cutting and CNC forming
  • Welding and assembly
  • Automated powder coating
  • Packaging integration
  • Supply chain management
  • Inventory programs
  • Engineering support
  • Product development assistance
  • Wood component manufacturing
• Collaborate with internal teams to develop custom manufacturing solutions that solve customer challenges.
• Support quoting, pricing, forecasting, and contract negotiations.
• Promote Liberty Custom's ability to provide engineered solutions from concept through production

Account Management

• Develop long-term strategic partnerships with customers.
• Conduct regular business reviews to identify growth opportunities and improve customer satisfaction.
• Monitor customer forecasts, market trends, and industry developments.
• Maintain CRM data, sales pipeline visibility, and forecasting accuracy.
• Partner with Operations and Customer Service teams to ensure successful program execution.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Work closely with Engineering, Quality, Operations, Procurement, Scheduling, and Production teams to support customer requirements.
• Participate in project launch reviews and operational planning meetings.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on customer experience, responsiveness, and operational excellence.

Additional Responsibilities

• Travel to customer locations, trade shows, and industry events as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Bachelor's degree in business, Engineering, Manufacturing, Sales, Marketing, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• 5+ years of experience in business development, account management, sales, manufacturing, engineering, or related field.
• Experience selling technical products or manufacturing solutions.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and industrial business environments.
• Ability to communicate effectively with engineering, operations, procurement, and executive-level stakeholders.
• Exceptional relationship-building and consultative selling skills.
• Strong project management and organizational abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Self-motivated, results-oriented, and capable of working independently.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and CRM systems.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Experience in contract manufacturing, sheet metal fabrication, machining, welding, powder coating, assembly, or industrial manufacturing.
• Experience working directly with OEM customers.
• Familiarity with engineering drawings, manufacturing processes, and product development cycles.
• Knowledge of quality systems including PPAP, FAI, ISO standards, and customer quality requirements.
• Existing relationships within manufacturing, industrial, energy, or data center markets.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The starting base salary range for this position is $65,000 - $80,000 per year plus eligibility in sales commission program. The compensation posted is the anticipated pay for the position at the time of the posting. We may pay above or below posted amount based on several factors, including, but not limited to education and/or certifications, skills, experience, or work location.Some positions may qualify for additional compensation in the form of bonuses or deferred compensation options.

At LDI, we are pleased to provide employees with a comprehensive benefits package including health/dental/vision insurance options; paid time off; 10 paid holidays; 401(k) plus company matching and annual discretionary profit sharing; flexible spending and health savings account options; life and disability insurance; tuition assistance; wellness and mental health resources, and financial advising services. Eligibility in benefit programs is based on hours worked per week.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Regular sitting, standing, and walking throughout the day to accomplish tasks
• Manual and finger dexterity used regularly with some repetitive finger motions
• Ability to work in front of a computer screen for long periods of time
• Specific vision abilities include close and distance vision; able to identify colors, small letters, and numbers; hand/eye coordination, depth perception and able to adjust focus
• Hearing and speaking
• Other conditions may include frequent reaching, stretching, pushing, pulling, pinching, grasping, and gripping.

ABOUT OUR COMPANY

Comprised of multiple companies with headquarters in New Hope, Minnesota, Liberty Diversified International (LDI) is a privately held company employing more than 1,900 individuals across our manufacturing facilities, production facilities and core business operations in Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, Mississippi, Texas, Arizona, Virginia, California, and Mexico. With deep roots in the corrugated box manufacturing industry, we operate in the core markets of paper, packaging, workplace products, corrugated plastics and building products.

Since 1918, our values - Caring, Innovation, Trust and Excellence - have guided our day-to-day activities. We believe that when our employees are aligned with these values, we create superior service and solutions for our customers. The LDI family of companies includes Liberty Packaging, Liberty Paper, Liberty Plastics (Custom Solutions and Quarrix Building Products) and Safco.

Liberty Diversified International is an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions without regard to race, color, sex, religion, age, creed, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, disability, or any other protected class.