Business Development Associate - International at Central States Industrial (CSI) in Springfield, MO

Job description

• CSI is looking for a motivated, relationship-driven professional to join our International Sales team as a Business Development Associate (BDA) – International. This is an entry-level commercial role designed to develop future Business Development Leaders through hands-on experience in international customer engagement, lead qualification, and sales development.
• In this role, you'll be the first point of contact for international opportunities—working with customers across multiple time zones, qualifying new business, coordinating with internal teams, and supporting the successful transition of opportunities into long-term customer relationships. If you're energized by global business, enjoy solving problems, and want to build a career in technical sales, this is an excellent opportunity to grow.
• Competitive compensation: $75,000 - $100,000 annually plus incentives.
• Growth-focused, team-oriented culture
• Diverse, high-impact industrial projects
• Strong benefits + career development support

Responsibilities

• Manage inbound and web-generated international sales leads from initial contact through qualification.
• Engage prospective international customers through phone, email, and virtual meetings to identify opportunities and build relationships.
• Execute proactive outbound prospecting and follow-up activities to expand CSI's international customer base.
• Coordinate with Customer Service, Estimating & Design, Purchasing, Accounting, and Marketing to ensure timely customer support and project execution.
• Support international transactions by coordinating export documentation, logistics, shipping requirements, and payment terms.
• Maintain disciplined pipeline management, CRM activity, and lead follow-up in accordance with CSI sales standards.
• Collaborate closely with the International Business Development Leader to develop sales strategies and transition qualified opportunities for long-term account ownership.
• Monitor customer activity, market trends, and competitor information while providing valuable feedback to leadership.
• Build product knowledge and develop an understanding of CSI's sanitary processing solutions and international markets.
• Deliver an exceptional customer experience by managing expectations, communicating effectively, and ensuring responsive service throughout the sales process.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Industrial Technology, Engineering, Marketing, or a related field preferred.
• Previous customer service, inside sales, business development, or account management experience preferred.
• Experience in manufacturing, industrial equipment, food processing, pharmaceutical, or related industries is a plus.
• Understanding of estimating, engineering support, or process equipment applications is beneficial.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, Word).
• Experience using CRM or ERP systems is preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with excellent organizational abilities.

Skills

Required

• Excellent organizational abilities

Preferred

• Experience using CRM or ERP systems

Benefits

• Health and wellness benefits
• Paid time off
• Retirement planning options
• Tuition reimbursement and continuing education support
• Opportunities for internal career advancement
• Company lunches, team events, and community volunteer opportunities