Strategic Partnerships Manager

THE ROLE This is a true 0→1 partnerships role. You'll build the relationships that open doors for Forgepoint, developing partnerships with ERPs, trade associations, channel partners, industry and manufacturing groups, state and federal government agencies, and private equity firms connected to the manufacturers we serve, and turning those relationships into new business.

You're part relationship-builder, part pipeline generator. You'll represent Forgepoint at conferences, associations, and industry events, find the organizations whose members are our ideal customers, and build durable partnerships that create a steady flow of warm opportunities. You'll work closely with our sales and founding team to make sure every relationship translates into real pipeline.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Build Forgepoint’s partnerships strategy from the ground up, identifying the organizations and channels that can connect us with our target customers
• Develop relationships with ERP providers, trade associations, industry groups, channel partners, government agencies, and private equity firms
• Represent Forgepoint at conferences, association meetings, and industry events, turning conversations into durable partnerships
• Create a repeatable pipeline of warm introductions and qualified opportunities through partners
• Own the partnership lifecycle end to end, from target research and outreach through activation, follow-up, and ongoing relationship management
• Work closely with the founders and sales team to translate partnership activity into measurable revenue pipeline
• Track performance, learn quickly, and double down on the relationships and programs that produce results WHO YOU ARE
• You're a natural relationship-builder who's credible with executives and industry leaders
• You're comfortable working conferences, associations, and industry events, and building a network from them
• You connect partnership activity to real, measurable pipeline
• You're organized and self-directed, and you follow through until relationships turn into results
• You care about our mission, and you're genuinely interested in the manufacturing world
• You're excited to work in person 5 days a week in NYC and to travel for industry events and partner meetings
• You operate with a founder and growth mindset BONUS POINTS
• Experience in partnerships, business development, channel, or alliances
• An existing network in manufacturing, industrials, or private equity
• You've worked with or inside industry associations and trade events
• You use AI tools to research targets and stay on top of your relationships ABOUT FORGEPOINT Revitalize an industry. Rebuild America's manufacturing backbone. America builds satellites, jet engines, and semiconductors with world-class precision, but the software running factory offices is decades behind. Estimators, procurement teams, and accountants still lose hours to spreadsheets, PDFs, and manual data entry. Forgepoint builds AI workers for back office departments like quoting, purchasing, invoicing, and sales coordination. By removing back-office bottlenecks, we help US manufacturers move faster, grow, and compete globally. We're backed by a16z speedrun and angels from Brex, Xwing, and Betterment. Join us in rebuilding the digital foundation of American manufacturing. OUR FOUNDERS Jack Strauss https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-strauss/ — Co-Founder & CEO Jack began his career at Acer and Northrop Grumman, then advised industrial companies at Bain. At Xwing, he helped scale the company and led GTM through its acquisition by Joby Aviation. He holds an MBA from Stanford and a BA from USC. Alex Pareto https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexpareto/ — Co-Founder & CTO Alex began his career at Meta, founded YC-backed Demeanor, and joined NTWRK after its acquisition. He later became a founding engineer on Brex Spend Management and led its engineering organization. He holds a BS in Computer Science from USC. HOW WE WORK
• In person every day in NYC for high-bandwidth collaboration
• Talk to users constantly: we build with manufacturers, not for them
• Own outcomes end-to-end and drive solutions without waiting for permission OUR VALUES
• We're Here to Win: We are building to help American manufacturers, our customers, our company, and our teammates win at the highest level.
• There's Always a Way: We are relentlessly resourceful, take ownership of constraints, and find a path forward when others stop.
• Truth Over Comfort: We choose honesty over ego, surface reality quickly, and change course when the facts demand it.
• Act Now: We move fast, trust our instincts, and correct course as we go.
• Step Up: We act like founders, fill gaps, fix problems, and follow through until the work is done.
• The Team. The Team. The Team.: We put the team first, push and support each other, share wins, and own failures together. COMP & BENEFITS
• Base salary $150,000-$210,000 depending on level and experience, plus the opportunity to receive meaningful early-stage equity ($45,000-$100,000 per year) in Forgepoint. You'll also have great healthcare coverage, dinner provided at the office, and unlimited Celsius. LOCATION
• You'll be in our NYC office five days a week with the opportunity to travel to industry events and partner meetings.