Business Development Manager, Vertical Expansion
Xylem · Lainate
Xylem is a Fortune 500 global water solutions company dedicated to advancing sustainable impact and empowering the people who make water work every day. As a leading water technology company with 23,000 employees operating in over 150 countries, Xylem is at the forefront of addressing the world's most critical water challenges. We invite passionate individuals to join our team, dedicated to exceeding customer expectations through innovative and sustainable solutions.
The role:
As the Business Development Manager – WSS Vertical Expansion, you will be responsible for growing Xylem Europe’s portfolio and market presence across the Industrial and Municipal sectors. The role combines portfolio promotion with the identification and development of new vertical markets, supported by strong market analysis to drive business growth.
You will develop and execute business and go-to-market strategies, support channel and product line growth, and contribute to the expansion of the WSS vertical across Europe, with a focus on water and wastewater treatment processes and pumping applications.
Success in this role requires adaptability, creative problem-solving, and strong cross-functional collaboration. The ideal candidate will act as a catalyst for growth, driving new business opportunities and expanding market presence.
Principal responsibilities:
Lead business development initiatives to drive growth and strengthen Xylem WSS market presence across Europe, with a focus on Industrial and Municipal verticals.
Identify, develop, and execute new business opportunities and strategic initiatives to expand market presence, increase revenue, and support long-term growth objectives.
Develop and implement go-to-market, channel expansion, and vertical growth strategies tailored to regional market needs and aligned with company objectives.
Conduct in-depth market analysis and monitor customer needs, competitor activities, industry trends, and EU legislation to identify emerging opportunities and support strategic decision-making.
Forecast demand for rental assets and new capital sales products, ensuring alignment between customer requirements and Xylem’s growth strategy.
Support product line growth by contributing to product strategies, pricing strategies, new product launches, and the expansion of integrated end-to-end engineered solutions.
Design and promote customized solutions applicable to specific vertical markets, ensuring the best technical and commercial value for customers.
Develop and strengthen distribution channels, third-party partnerships, and indirect sales networks to improve market penetration and commercial effectiveness.
Collaborate closely with Sales, Marketing, Product Management, Operations, and regional teams to support customer targeting, prospecting, proposals, pricing, negotiations, contracts, and closing activities for both rental and capital sales opportunities.
Maintain and manage the European opportunity funnel for vertical expansion initiatives, ensuring accurate pipeline visibility and proactive follow-up.
Generate reports, dashboards, and performance analyses to monitor KPIs, improve win rates, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
Conduct post-mortem analysis on lost opportunities and work closely with the sales organization to strengthen future business conversion rates.
Accompany regional teams on customer visits and site feasibility studies, providing technical and commercial support where needed.
Identify training needs across the business and support capability development initiatives to strengthen commercial and market expertise.
Act as a catalyst for growth through proactive engagement, adaptability, creative problem-solving, and strong cross-functional collaboration across the organization.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Engineering, or equivalent relevant experience.
Minimum 7 years of experience in business development, sales, or market expansion within industrial sectors, preferably in industrial wastewater treatment or related applications.
Proven experience in developing and executing go-to-market strategies, channel expansion initiatives, and partner ecosystem development.
Fluency in English is required
Soft Skills:
Strong business acumen with the ability to identify market opportunities and translate them into effective growth strategies.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with customers, distributors, partners, and internal stakeholders.
Proactive and results-oriented mindset, with the ability to manage priorities and thrive in fast-paced environments.
Strong organizational and analytical skills, with attention to detail and a data-driven approach to decision-making.
• Proficiency with Salesforce and Microsoft tools such as Excel and PowerPoint; familiarity with Power BI is considered a plus.Ability to collaborate effectively across cross-functional and international teams.
Willingness to travel extensively across the assigned territories within Europe.
Geographical scope: Europe
Travel Requirements: around 50% of the time in Europe
Join the global Xylem team to be a part of innovative technology solutions transforming water usage, conservation, and re-use. Our products impact public utilities, industrial sectors, residential areas, and commercial buildings, with a commitment to providing smart metering, network technologies, and advanced analytics for water, electric, and gas utilities. Partner with us in creating a world where water challenges are met with ingenuity and dedication; where we recognize the power of inclusion and belonging in driving innovation and allowing us to compete more effectively around the world.
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