Business Development Associate / Manager

Company Overview

SAEKI is innovating the manufacturing industry by creating the operating system for autonomous factories, enabling Europe to produce critical components at software speed. Based in Munich at Factory ONE, the company addresses challenges like slow legacy suppliers, retiring expertise, and fragile supply chains in Europe's defense industrial sector.

Role Overview

As a Business Development Associate or Manager, you will be a key driver in turning SAEKI's manufacturing capabilities into commercial success. You will work closely with the CEO to develop and manage the sales pipeline, conduct outreach, qualify leads, drive deals forward, and build the sales function from the ground up. This is a high-autonomy role with a direct reporting line to the CEO and collaboration across engineering and production teams. Travel within Europe may be required.

Responsibilities

• Support and eventually take full ownership of the sales and business development process, including outreach, pipeline management, and deal closure.
• Develop sales materials, define outreach strategies, and structure repeatable sales workflows for an emerging sales organization.
• Collaborate with engineering and production to position SAEKI’s innovative manufacturing solutions effectively to clients.
• Work hands-on alongside the CEO initially, progressively assuming growing responsibility for sales functions.

Candidate Profile

• 2 to 8 years of professional experience in sales, business development, or partnerships, preferably within hard-tech, dual-use, industrial, or defense sectors.
• Understanding or ability to quickly learn the purchasing and scaling processes of hardware manufacturing, especially in industries like aerospace, defense, or industrial manufacturing.
• Proven ability to build sales processes with minimal existing structure including outreach cadence, pipeline tracking, and documentation.
• Self-starter capable of enhancing CEO effectiveness by managing meetings, follow-ups, and proactively taking ownership of tasks without extensive supervision.
• Technical literacy in manufacturing, materials, and production, allowing effective communication with engineering teams and clients.
• Adept at working in fast-paced, ambiguous startup environments, with a preference towards action and iteration over waiting for perfect plans.
• Fluency in English and German is mandatory.
• Not suitable for those expecting strict sales playbooks, inbound leads, or heavy management support.

Benefits and Opportunities

• Mission-driven work supporting the rebuilding of the West's industrial sovereignty through cutting-edge manufacturing solutions.
• High degree of ownership with authority to identify and implement solutions autonomously in a critical business domain.
• Opportunity for rapid career growth, including potential advancement to Head of Sales or leading new markets or verticals.
• Access to advanced manufacturing technology including 5-axis CNC machines, industrial robots, and 3D printers.
• Work culture emphasizing seniority, delivery, minimal bureaucracy, and direct feedback.
• Competitive salary package with meaningful equity participation.
• Location: Munich, Factory ONE with required travel across Europe.

Application Instructions

• Submit a resume that highlights concrete achievements in deal-making, building pipelines, or closing deals.
• Provide a cover letter explaining your motivation for this mission, the timing, and examples of working successfully without existing structures.