Business Development Representative

Critical Manufacturing is dedicated to empowering high-performance operations to make Industry 4.0 a reality with the most innovative, comprehensive, and modular MES software. We have a global presence, but our headquarters, and the main technical center, are in Porto (Maia), Portugal, where we develop a state-of-the-art solution for Semiconductor, Electronics, Life Sciences, and Industrial Equipment.

Recognized as a Leader by Gartner, we are part of ASMPT, the world's largest supplier of best-in-class equipment, and technological process partner for the electronics and semiconductor industries.

The Role

You will own the pipeline entry point for one of our main industry segments where the buying environment is complex and the people you will engage span operations, IT-OT, and plant leadership.

This is a targeted, research-led role. You will work a structured outbound motion, attend global trade shows and industry events, and be expected to think critically about account fit and qualification. You will work closely with marketing and sales and be expected to contribute to how the motion evolves over time.

We welcome applications from candidates with a background in manufacturing software or manufacturing environment - technical sales, applications engineering, or sales support - who are looking to take on a more pipeline-focused role.

What You Will Do

• Build and manage a focused target account list in a specific industry
• Execute multi-touch outreach sequences - research, engage, and create qualified conversations for sales
• Qualify inbound and outbound leads against a defined ICP and hand over to sales with full context
• Attend global trade shows and industry events to build relationships and develop segment knowledge
• Maintain clean and accurate pipeline data across CRM, ZoomInfo, and LinkedIn Sales Navigator
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of the outreach motion, messaging, and qualification criteria
• Proactively engage with a wider network and create original content on LinkedIn

What Success Looks Like

• A consistent flow of qualified meetings and opportunities for the industry segment
• A solid understanding of the segment: the buyers, the challenges, the technical language, and what good fit actually looks like
• Quality handovers for Sales: opportunities arrive with a detailed account profile and full context
• Meaningful contributions to the BDR motion: messaging, qualification criteria, or outreach approach has improved because of your input
• A growing LinkedIn presence and network within the industry segment and MES market, actively used as a prospecting and relationship-building channel
• Recognized across marketing, sales, and pre-sales as a reliable, credible team member

Why Join Us

• Be part of a company shaping the future of manufacturing software · Work directly with executives and cross-functional leaders to define how we go to market
• Join a team that moves with purpose, values direct communication, and creates space for new ideas.

Requirements

What You Will Bring

• Minimum 2-3 years of experience in a commercial, customer-facing, or technical sales role
• Committed to thorough research before engaging prospects, and to using AI tools independently and as a team, to work with greater precision and efficiency
• Strong qualification capabilities - able to ask the right questions early, identify poor fit, and prioritize accordingly
• Maintains a clean pipeline, incorporates feedback, and adapts when the approach needs to change
• Effective across functions - comfortable working with multiple departments and stakeholders with different priorities
• Autonomous and collaborative - able to own a motion independently while operating as a reliable team member
• Excellent spoken and written English communication skills, with the ability to hold a substantive business conversation

What we consider a plus (not mandatory)

• Background in industrial manufacturing, MES, ERP, or industrial software
• Education in Marketing, Communication, Business, Sales, Software, or Industrial Management
• Experience in B2B software, technical sales, applications engineering, or sales support in an industrial environment
• Familiarity with prospecting and automation tools (ZoomInfo, LinkedIn Sales Navigator, Dripify) and CRM
• Experience with AI Tools, mainly Claude, or others

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are a source of commitment and innovation

At Critical Manufacturing, we welcome and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of disabilities, diverse abilities, identities, or experiences. Our commitment is to create an inclusive environment where everyone has equal opportunities to succeed and thrive.

If you need accommodation during the recruitment process, please let us know - we're happy to support you.