Business Development Manager - Wholesale

The Distribution Business Development Manager - Wilkins Product Group will be responsible for developing and nurturing meaningful relationships with Plumbing, Mechanical, and Fire Protection distributors throughout Texas. This role will focus on driving demand, increasing distributor engagement, and positioning Wilkins as the preferred brand in the distribution channel. Through a comprehensive service and support system, this individual will lead the charge in creating strong partnerships that result in Wilkins products being the primary choice for distributors statewide.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Relationship Development:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with distributor leadership and branch teams across Texas.

• Become a trusted partner by understanding the needs of distributors and delivering exceptional service and support.

• Distributor Support and Engagement:

• Conduct branch-level training to ensure distributor teams are knowledgeable and confident in promoting Wilkins products.

• Provide product and marketing support to distributors, including promotional materials and targeted campaigns.

• Organize and lead events, such as counter days, to engage with distributor staff and customers.

• Collaboration and Market Alignment:

• Work closely with the Contractor Business Development Manager (BDM) to generate demand that benefits distribution partners.

• Partner with manufacturer representatives to align strategies and execution plans.

• Share market intelligence, including new specifications, contractor conversions, and industry trends, with distribution partners.

• Demand Generation and Market Share Growth:

• Position Wilkins as the preferred brand among Plumbing, Mechanical, and Fire Protection distributors in Texas.

• Develop strategies to ensure top distribution branches stock Wilkins products as their sole manufacturer.

• Drive demand through superior service, training, and support to make Wilkins the go-to choice for distributors and their customers.

• Leadership and Communication:

• Act as the face of Wilkins to the distributor community, representing the brand at events and meetings.

• Communicate opportunities, challenges, and successes to internal teams and external partners.

• Maintain and update distributor engagement and opportunities in the company's CRM system

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Understand and communicate product capabilities and applications

• Develop and offer project quotations to maximize profitability within pricing guidelines as necessary

• Understand market drivers, technical trends, customer requirements (e.g., new products or services), and competitive landscape

• Provide qualitative voice-of-customer feedback to new product development teams on Zurn Elkay's existing products, new products and competitor offerings.

SCOPE

• Revenue scope: $40-$60M

• This position focuses primarily on commercial business.

• Indirect reports: 3-5 rep agencies

• Degree of cross-functional responsibilities: full - works closely with Product Management, Marketing, BUs, and other parts of the commercial organization.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent industry experience required.

• Minimum of 3-5 years' experience in business development, sales, or account management, preferably in the plumbing or construction industries.

• Strong understanding of the Texas distribution market and distributor dynamics.

• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills.

• Ability to lead training sessions, events, and promotional activities effectively.

• Experience working with CRM tools to manage relationships and track opportunities.

• Excellent organizational and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across teams.

• Willingness to travel extensively throughout Texas to engage with distributor branches and attend events.