Founding Account Executive – AI Automation for Manufacturing

Company Overview

Arzana is a startup supported by Y Combinator that develops customized AI agents to streamline front-office tasks for American manufacturing firms. Operating from New York City, the company leverages specialized models trained on factory data to automate complex workflows such as quoting and order entry. Their solutions save mid-market manufacturers, with revenues ranging from $25 million to $500 million, significant labor costs.

Role Summary

The Founding Account Executive will be the inaugural sales hire, working closely with the Stanford-founded leadership team. This critical position carries ownership of the entire sales process, from outbound prospecting to closing individual contracts averaging $60,000 annually, targeting manufacturers and distributors. The role combines strategic development of territories with disciplined execution to expand the reach of Arzana's AI automation across the industrial sector in the United States.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct outbound prospecting with about two hours of cold calling daily to generate a strong pipeline of mid-market manufacturing prospects.
• Close deals with an average annual contract value of $60,000, aiming to meet a $1 million yearly sales quota through approximately 17 deals each year.
• Collaborate with technical founders to sharpen product messaging and enhance integration with major ERP platforms such as Epicor, NetSuite, and Dynamics 365.

Candidate Profile

• Possesses one to four years of high-volume sales experience, especially in industrial technology or SaaS targeting manufacturing clients, ideally from companies like Samsara, Verkada, or Epicor.
• Exhibits a determined and proactive "hunter" mindset, demonstrating consistent success in meeting substantial outreach goals and thriving in persistent cold-calling environments.
• Understands the nuances of complex sales processes within American manufacturing and distribution sectors, with insight into challenges in front-office operations and quoting workflows.

Additional Details

• This role is based in New York, USA.
• Compensation includes a total on-target earnings range of $125,000 to $250,000 along with equity in the company.
• Applicants will be engaging directly with senior leadership in a startup environment, contributing to building the company's foundational sales strategies.
• Arzana’s product has a proven track record, saving customers over $1 million in personnel costs before market entry.

Notes on Recruitment Process

This role is being recruited by AI agents that match candidates with companies based on networking and compatibility but keep client details confidential for privacy reasons. This is a genuine, open position offering a unique opportunity to lead sales efforts at a promising startup.