Strategic Business Development Manager

Company Background

Discover your next career adventure at Gemline, a leading supplier of consumer products in the $27 billion U.S. promotional products industry. We rank No. 9 among suppliers in the 2026 PPAI 100 and are recognized by the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) as the sixth-largest hard goods supplier. We offer a diverse range of headwear, umbrellas, writing instruments, electronics, bags, coolers, drinkware, stationery, blankets, towels, and lifestyle gifts. In addition to our strong portfolio of house brands and Gemline-branded products, our lineup includes renowned retail brands such as Ahead™, Anker®, Cuisinart Outdoors®, High Sierra®, Hydro Flask®, Igloo®, Osprey®, Moleskine®, Paper Mate®, Samsonite®, and Sharpie®.

Our purpose, “We Promote Community,” drives everything we do. It shapes our culture, influences our product designs, and fuels our commitment to making a positive impact around the world. Our betterway® corporate social responsibility efforts bring that commitment to life through initiatives focused on people and the environment.

Our workplace has earned repeated industry recognition, including a place on PPAI’s 2026 Greatest Companies to Work For list and ASI’s 2026 Counselor Best Places to Work list. Our associates bring our foundational values of trust, integrity, humility, diversity, community, and truth to life while delivering an exceptional customer experience. Join a workplace where “Pride in People, Pride in Product” is more than a motto. It’s our way of life.

Gemline® is looking for a Strategic Business Development Manager who will be responsible for managing and generating new business. This position will report to the National Sales Director, Strategic Accounts. 

Primary Responsibilities include:

• Lead the development and execution of go-to-market strategies that identify and capture new business opportunities across untapped customer segments, emerging sales channels, and adjacent markets, providing leadership with market insights and recommendations on channel prioritization.
• Own the full lifecycle of newly won accounts after close — including account planning, quarterly business reviews, renewal strategy, and category expansion — alongside continued new-account prospecting; this is a build-and-keep role, not a build-and-transition role.
• Build and manage a qualified pipeline of new prospects through proactive outreach, networking, and market research, converting opportunities into profitable, long-term Gemline customers.
• Design and deliver impactful presentations and product decks tailored to new prospects and channels, effectively communicating product value, brand partnerships, and Gemline’s points of differentiation.
• Navigate complex sales cycles and partnership negotiations with a solutions-oriented approach that balances internal and external problem-solving, contract terms, and business development; prepare business cases and progress updates for senior leadership.
• Represent Gemline at industry and regional trade shows, events, and prospect meetings to generate leads and build awareness in new channels, including budget management and follow-up strategy.
• Serve as the voice of the market at Gemline by representing prospect and channel insights in product development, marketing initiatives, operational planning, and supply chain strategies; collaborate cross-functionally to ensure new channels are scalable.
• Leverage LinkedIn, social media, and digital tools to research prospects, engage decision makers, and strengthen Gemline’s presence in new channels.
• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned to support team and company objectives.

Required Skills, Experience & Education:

• Exceptional communication, presentation, and networking skills, adept at building immediate rapport with customers.
• Proven hunter mentality with strong prospecting, negotiation, and closing skills, and a strong analytical mindset to evaluate and size new market opportunities.
• 5+ years of experience in new business development or sales, ideally within promotional products, consumer goods, e-commerce or related B2B channels.
• Demonstrated account management capability — able to retain, service, and grow won accounts over time, not solely prospect and close new ones.
• Strong partnership and relationship-building skills, facilitating effective influence across sales teams and cross-functional departments.
• Excellent attention to detail, action-oriented, adaptable, and thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Self-motivated and entrepreneurial, with the ability to work independently, and collaborate across functions to support strategic initiatives.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.
• Willingness to travel approximately 30% of the time.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, CRM software and AI tools