Development Manager Jobs in Grand Rapids, MI
Development Manager jobs in Grand Rapids are concentrated in the Medical Mile corridor, the downtown business district, and the growing Monroe North neighborhood, with strong demand across healthcare, manufacturing, and nonprofit sectors. Employers hiring right now include Dematic, Alside, and Meijer. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 15+ Development Manager jobs
The Business Development Manager is responsible for executing the Business Development strategy by initiating customer outreach, preparing and leading customer workshops, and supporting overall Business Development efforts which result in project opportunities for the Sales team. The primary goal of this role is to secure face-to-face meetings with potential clients by utilizing its vast network of contacts. The Business Development Manager qualifies leads and develops relationships with potential clients by educating and consulting them at an early stage in their decision-making process.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Secures face-to-face meetings with potential clients, specifically at the executive level, up to and including C-suite.
- Executes solutions-oriented selling; researching prospect strategies and qualifying leads resulting in exploratory discussions on TGW solutions for Sales opportunities.
- Proactively seeks new business opportunities within assigned target industries.
- Drives account-based marketing programs.
- Develops Sales content and presents TGW solutions to potential clients and consultants in discovery meetings.
- Establishes relationships with potential clients and consultants early in their process to educate and consult on their needs.
- Maintains and documents customer relationship progress in CRM.
- Represents TGW at trade shows, conferences, and industry events.
- Performs additional duties as assigned.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Sales, Marketing, or related field, or equivalent work experience.
Experience: At least five (5) years’ experience selling solutions in the material-handling industry with demonstrated success in prospecting large, complex business relationships
Travel: Up to 40% travel required, domestically and internationally.
Skills & Abilities
- Excellent industry networking skills, including an extensive existing network in Fashion & Apparel.
- Clear communication and active listening skills to understand and address customer needs and objections.
- Proficiency in adapting sales pitches and handling queries.
- Market-centric mindset with a focus on excellent service.
- Resilience and determination in achieving sales goals despite challenges.
- Flexibility to adapt to changes in products, services, or strategies.
- Efficient time management and task prioritization.
- Strong comfort with technology, CRM systems, and digital platforms (LinkedIn, ZoomInfo, MS Dynamics, etc.).
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills to engage customers effectively.
- Proactive, driven, self-starter attitude with willingness and ability to work independently.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.).
Physical Requirements
- Ability to remain stationary at a desk for prolonged periods of time.
- Ability to go to site frequently and move safely around industrial and/or warehouse environment.
- Ability to lift and carry supplies up to 25 pounds at a time.
- Ability to operate computers, tablets, phones, and other electronic devices.
- Ability to communicate with others verbally and in writing, on a frequent basis.
- Ability to tolerate exposure to job site temperature fluctuations due to seasonal weather in geographic region.
The physical demands described above are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Other Requirements
This position may require work at TGW customer sites. TGW’s customers may require background checks before accessing their sites. Refusal to participate in a customer-required background check may result in a customer barring access and a subsequent reduction in work.
Equal Opportunity Employer
TGW Systems Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
This applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
The Business Development Manager is responsible for executing the Business Development strategy by initiating customer outreach, preparing and leading customer workshops, and supporting overall Business Development efforts which result in project opportunities for the Sales team. The primary goal of this role is to secure face-to-face meetings with potential clients by utilizing its vast network of contacts. The Business Development Manager qualifies leads and develops relationships with potential clients by educating and consulting them at an early stage in their decision-making process.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Secures face-to-face meetings with potential clients, specifically at the executive level, up to and including C-suite.
- Executes solutions-oriented selling; researching prospect strategies and qualifying leads resulting in exploratory discussions on TGW solutions for Sales opportunities.
- Proactively seeks new business opportunities within assigned target industries.
- Drives account-based marketing programs.
- Develops Sales content and presents TGW solutions to potential clients and consultants in discovery meetings.
- Establishes relationships with potential clients and consultants early in their process to educate and consult on their needs.
- Maintains and documents customer relationship progress in CRM.
- Represents TGW at trade shows, conferences, and industry events.
- Performs additional duties as assigned.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Sales, Marketing, or related field, or equivalent work experience.
Experience: At least five (5) years’ experience selling solutions in the material-handling industry with demonstrated success in prospecting large, complex business relationships
Travel: Up to 40% travel required, domestically and internationally.
Skills & Abilities
- Excellent industry networking skills, including an extensive existing network in Fashion & Apparel.
- Clear communication and active listening skills to understand and address customer needs and objections.
- Proficiency in adapting sales pitches and handling queries.
- Market-centric mindset with a focus on excellent service.
- Resilience and determination in achieving sales goals despite challenges.
- Flexibility to adapt to changes in products, services, or strategies.
- Efficient time management and task prioritization.
- Strong comfort with technology, CRM systems, and digital platforms (LinkedIn, ZoomInfo, MS Dynamics, etc.).
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills to engage customers effectively.
- Proactive, driven, self-starter attitude with willingness and ability to work independently.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.).
Physical Requirements
- Ability to remain stationary at a desk for prolonged periods of time.
- Ability to go to site frequently and move safely around industrial and/or warehouse environment.
- Ability to lift and carry supplies up to 25 pounds at a time.
- Ability to operate computers, tablets, phones, and other electronic devices.
- Ability to communicate with others verbally and in writing, on a frequent basis.
- Ability to tolerate exposure to job site temperature fluctuations due to seasonal weather in geographic region.
The physical demands described above are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Other Requirements
This position may require work at TGW customer sites. TGW’s customers may require background checks before accessing their sites. Refusal to participate in a customer-required background check may result in a customer barring access and a subsequent reduction in work.
Equal Opportunity Employer
TGW Systems Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
This applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
See All 15 Development Manager Jobs in Grand Rapids
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Find Development Manager JobsDevelopment Manager Job Market in Grand Rapids
Who's Hiring
- Dematic2
- Alside1
- Meijer1
- Amphenol1
- State Farm1
Top Industries Hiring
- Construction & Real Estate2
- Insurance1
- Automotive1
- Manufacturing1
- Food & Beverage1
Development Manager Jobs in Grand Rapids: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a development manager job in Grand Rapids?
The most direct path into development manager roles in Grand Rapids runs through the city's healthcare systems, West Michigan manufacturing firms, and the active nonprofit sector anchored along the Medical Mile and downtown. Candidates who can show cross-functional project ownership and team leadership get the most traction here. Familiarity with Grand Rapids' manufacturing and life sciences environments is a genuine differentiator over candidates with only generic corporate backgrounds.
Which companies hire development managers in Grand Rapids?
Employers hiring development managers in Grand Rapids right now include Dematic, Alside, and Meijer, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Grand Rapids draws from a mix of large healthcare systems, regional manufacturers, financial services firms, and a growing tech-adjacent startup community clustered downtown and in the surrounding Kent County area.
Are there remote development manager jobs in Grand Rapids?
Yes, though availability depends heavily on the industry. About 33% of development manager openings tied to Grand Rapids are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, with remote work more common in software, fintech, and nonprofit fundraising roles than in manufacturing or hands-on project environments. Hybrid arrangements are most prevalent among downtown Grand Rapids professional services and technology employers.
How can I get a development manager job in Grand Rapids with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Grand Rapids is moving into a development manager role from a related coordinator or associate position within the city's large nonprofit community or its manufacturing sector. West Michigan nonprofits frequently hire development associates and promote from within, making them strong starting points. Building familiarity with donor management systems and grant processes gives candidates a concrete edge with Grand Rapids employers in both mission-driven and corporate settings.
Which industries hire the most development managers in Grand Rapids?
Grand Rapids development manager roles concentrate in Construction & Real Estate, Insurance, and Automotive, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Grand Rapids' status as a regional healthcare hub, its deep manufacturing base, and its well-established nonprofit sector each generate consistent demand for development managers at multiple levels throughout the year.
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See All 15 Development Manager Jobs in Grand Rapids
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