Business Development Manager - Strategic Accounts Meter & Automation

Job Posting:

Since 1953, Ferguson has been a source of quality supplies for a variety of industries. Together We Build Better infrastructure, better homes and better businesses. We exist to make our customers’ complex projects simple, successful, and sustainable. We proactively solve problems, adapt and grow to continuously serve our customers, communities and each other. Ferguson is proud to provide best-in-class products, service and capabilities across the following industries: Commercial/Mechanical, Facilities Supply, Fire and Fabrication, HVAC, Industrial, Residential Trade, Residential Building and Remodel, Waterworks and Residential Digital Commerce. Ferguson has approximately 36,000 associates across 1,700 locations. Ferguson is a community of proud associates who operate with the shared purpose of building something meaningful. You will build a career that you are proud of, at a company you can believe in.

Water is at the core of our business and integral to our sustainability vision. Ferguson has a unique opportunity to meaningfully contribute to a sustainable future for water. We provide products and services that encourage the adoption of sustainable and efficient solutions, aiming to address water issues in communities across North America. This is how we believe you can help Ferguson make a meaningful impact on present and future generations.

We are seeking a dynamic Business Development Manager - Strategic Accounts, to join our Meter & Automation team!

This role will be responsible for driving sales growth of advanced water infrastructure technologies—with a strong emphasis on water metering systems, AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure), leak detection, and pressure management solutions—to large municipalities across the United States. This individual will develop strategic relationships with engineering consultants, technology partners, and municipal stakeholders, while maintaining awareness of the regulatory landscape and political climate that affects procurement and project execution. The ideal candidate will serve as a subject matter expert and advocate for smart water metering and AMI adoption in large-scale municipal deployments.

Key Responsibilities:

Sales and Business Development

• Develop and implement a comprehensive national account sales strategy focused on AMI systems and smart water metering technologies, as well as complementary non-revenue water solutions.

• Identify, qualify, and pursue new business opportunities in the municipal water utility sector with a focus on metering modernization initiatives.

• Conduct product presentations, demonstrations, and ROI/value proposition discussions with technical partners, utility leadership, consulting engineers and elected officials, particularly emphasizing metering accuracy, real-time data, and operational efficiency through AMI.

• Lead the proposal process, respond to RFPs, and collaborate on contracts with internal legal, operations, and technical teams to support AMI and water meter system deployments.

• Coordinate strategy and efforts closely with the Meter and Automation outside sales team and sales managers.

Strategic Relationship Building

• Establish and maintain strong relationships with metering program managers, utility operations teams, consulting engineers, and technology integrators.

• Position the company as a leading provider of integrated AMI and smart metering solutions, acting as a consultative partner throughout the project lifecycle.

• Actively participate in key water industry associations (e.g., AWWA, AMWA) to represent the company and support broader adoption of smart water infrastructure.

Regulatory & Political Awareness

• Monitor and analyze local and state-level policies that impact water metering mandates, AMI funding, including grant, and loan programs, and digital infrastructure investments.

• Stay informed on requirements related to Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) utilization, environmental regulations, and smart city initiatives that influence procurement strategies.

• Coordinate with government affairs and compliance teams to address political or regulatory risks and facilitate engagement during AMI rollouts.

Technical Expertise and Market Knowledge

• Maintain extensive knowledge of AMI platforms, communication networks (RF, cellular, mesh), meter technologies (mechanical, ultrasonic, electromagnetic), and their application in diverse municipal environments.

• Provide competitive intelligence and market feedback to product, marketing, and engineering teams to support roadmap decisions and continuous improvement in the metering portfolio.

• Track competitor offerings in the AMI space and identify differentiation strategies based on performance, integration, and customer outcomes.

• Assist in the negotiations of large utility contractual arrangements, both with Vendor Partners and Owner/Clients.

Collaboration and Reporting

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including operations, engineering, marketing, and customer support to ensure successful implementation of AMI and metering solutions.

• Maintain accurate pipeline tracking, opportunity forecasting, and customer relationship records using CRM tools.

• Deliver detailed reports and dashboards on sales performance, bid activity, and technology trends.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, Business, or a related field, or equivalent experience.

• 7+ years of sales or business development experience in the water, utilities, or infrastructure sector.

• Proven success in selling smart metering and AMI solutions to municipalities or public sector clients.

• Strong technical competence in metering technologies, AMI systems, and water distribution operations.

• Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.

• Willingness to travel nationally (up to 50%).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Established relationships within the AMI, metering, or water technology ecosystem, including manufacturers, consultants, and utility partners.

• Experience navigating public procurement processes and long municipal sales cycles.

• Familiarity with AMI software platforms, network architecture, GIS integration, and data analytics related to meter data management and utility operations.

• Professional Engineering license preferred but not required.

At Ferguson, we care for each other. We value our well-being just as much as our hard work. We are committed to a holistic approach towards benefits plans and programs that support the mental, physical and financial well-being of our associates. Our competitive offering not only includes benefits like health, dental, vision, paid time off, life insurance and a 401(k) with a company match, but our associates also enjoy additional meaningful and inclusive enhancements that are adaptable to their diverse situations and needs, including mental health coverage, gender affirming and family building benefits, paid parental leave, associate discounts, community involvement opportunities and more!

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Pay Range:

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Actual pay rate may vary depending upon location. The estimated pay range for this position is below. The specific rate will depend on a candidate’s qualifications and prior experience.

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Estimated Ranges displayed are Monthly for Salaried roles OR Hourly for all other roles.

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This role is Bonus or Incentive Plan eligible.

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Ferguson complies with all wage regulations. The starting wage may be higher in certain locations based on local or state wage requirements.

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The Company is an equal opportunity employer as well as a government contractor that shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-300.5(a), which prohibits discrimination against qualified protected Veterans and the requirements of 41 CFR 60-741.5(A), which prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of disability.

Ferguson Enterprises, LLC. is an equal employment employer F/M/Disability/Vet/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity.

Equal Employment Opportunity and Reasonable Accommodation Information