Director of Business Development - Agriculture and Industrial

About Auto Electric Service With over 80 years serving Saskatchewan, Auto Electric Service Ltd. (AES) is a locally owned wholesale distribution company serving the automotive, agriculture, industrial, heavy-duty, and retail markets. Since 1943, we have built our reputation on strong customer relationships, extensive product availability, industry expertise, and dependable service. As we continue to grow, we are looking for an experienced business development leader to help build and lead our Agriculture & Industrial market segment. The Opportunity We are looking for a Director of Business Development – Agriculture & Industrial who understands the Saskatchewan market, knows the needs of agriculture and industrial customers, and has the experience to turn opportunities into long-term business. This is a hands-on growth role with the opportunity to help build a business segment from the ground up. You will identify where AES can win, develop new customer relationships, secure strategic accounts, help determine the products and solutions our customers need, and develop a practical strategy for sustainable and profitable growth. Initially, you will be heavily involved in direct business development and account acquisition. As the Agriculture & Industrial segment grows, you will help recruit, coach, and lead a team of Client Solutions Partners to support continued expansion. What You'll Do - Identify and develop new business opportunities within Saskatchewan's agriculture and industrial markets. - Build relationships with owners, procurement teams, maintenance leaders, operations leaders, and other key decision-makers. - Lead strategic opportunities from initial discovery and proposal through negotiation, implementation, and repeat business. - Develop and execute plans to grow strategic accounts and expand AES's share of customer business. - Gather customer and market insight to identify product gaps, new product opportunities, and changing customer needs. - Work closely with Purchasing, Assortment Optimization, Operations, Logistics, Marketing, and branch teams to support new products and customer programs. - Help develop pricing, territory coverage, sales campaigns, account acquisition strategies, and go-to-market plans. - Negotiate pricing, freight, payment terms, and service expectations while maintaining a strong understanding of profitability and cost to serve. - Build and maintain a strong sales pipeline, forecasts, account plans, and customer information within our CRM. - Track segment performance, identify opportunities or challenges, and take action to achieve sales and profitability goals. - Recruit, coach, and develop Client Solutions Partners as the Agriculture & Industrial segment grows. - Provide field coaching, account support, pipeline reviews, and clear performance expectations for the sales team. - Represent AES professionally with customers, suppliers, and industry partners throughout Saskatchewan. Requirements What We're Looking For The ideal candidate is an experienced business development or sales leader with strong knowledge of Saskatchewan's agriculture and industrial markets. You are entrepreneurial, relationship-focused, and comfortable building something from the ground up. You know how to turn market opportunities into a clear strategy and deliver results. Core Competencies - Business Development: Recognizes opportunities and knows how to turn them into new business. - Relationship Building: Builds credibility and trusted relationships with customers and key decision-makers. - Commercial Acumen: Understands pricing, margins, product mix, inventory, and profitability. - Leadership & Accountability: Takes ownership, sets clear expectations, and develops others. - Collaboration: Works effectively across departments to turn customer needs into practical solutions. - Results Focus: Sets priorities, follows through, and is accountable for measurable results. Qualifications & Experience - Proven experience in business development, sales, or market development within agriculture, industrial, distribution, or a related B2B environment. - Strong knowledge of Saskatchewan's agriculture and/or industrial markets. - Demonstrated success developing new business and managing key customer accounts. - Experience with sales strategy, account planning, pipelines, forecasting, and negotiation. - Strong understanding of pricing, margins, inventory considerations, and profitability. - Leadership experience with the ability to coach and develop others. - Strong communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills. - Comfortable using CRM systems and sales data to manage opportunities and performance. - Valid driver's licence and ability to travel regularly throughout Saskatchewan. Considered an Asset - An established network within Saskatchewan's agriculture and/or industrial sectors. - Experience in wholesale distribution, parts, equipment, MRO, agriculture, or industrial markets. - Experience launching new product lines, territories, categories, or market segments. What Success Looks Like You will establish and grow AES's Agriculture & Industrial business into a strong, sustainable market segment. Success will be measured by profitable sales growth, a growing customer base, repeat business, and the development of a sales structure capable of supporting continued expansion. AES Core Values and EOS Accountability At Auto Electric Service, how we work matters just as much as the results we achieve. SOLUTION FOCUSED — We don’t dwell on problems—we solve them! Turns demand, supply and service barriers into practical actions with clear owners. CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE OBSESSED — Every interaction matters! Understands customer operations, makes realistic commitments and follows through from first order to repeat business. HUMBLY CONFIDENT — We are experts who never stop learning! Brings credible relationships and expertise, tests assumptions and learns from customers and colleagues. FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR — We move with urgency and purpose! Moves opportunities and launches forward promptly while protecting margin and delivery commitments. Lead with clear accountabilities, measurable commitments and open issue resolution. Model AES values, own quarterly priorities and follow through on agreed actions within the EOS operating cadence. Benefits Why Work With Us At Auto Electric Service Ltd., we are in an exciting phase of business growth and expansion. This is an opportunity to join a company that is investing in its future and strengthening its presence within Saskatchewan communities. We offer a supportive, team-focused environment where employees are empowered to contribute directly to business growth and build meaningful customer relationships. Benefits include: • Competitive salary with performance-based bonuses • Comprehensive health and dental insurance • Life and disability insurance • Company pension plan • Employee discounts • Flexible scheduling for work-life balance • Paid time off and holiday pay • Training and development opportunities If you're an experienced Agriculture or Industrial sales leader who knows the Saskatchewan market and is excited by the opportunity to build, grow, and lead a new business segment, we'd like to hear from you.