Founding Sales Development Representative; SDR

Keel is the ERP alternative for Operations Champions managing production, warehouses and delivery ops. Instead of ‘adapting’ software to fit businesses - with spreadsheets, workarounds, and integrations that don’t always work - Keel starts at the beginning. Creating what they want from the start. We’re already doing it for companies like Klira, Smol, and more!

You can find out more about our values and ways of working here.

We’re hiring our first commercial hire - a Founding SDR. You’ll be our first dedicated sales hire, working closely with Keel’s co-founder & CEO, which means you’ll have a unique opportunity to shape our sales motion from the ground up. You’ll likely be the first person talking to our potential customers, making a strong first impression and helping them understand whether Keel could be a good fit for their needs.

You’ll help ensure that conversations, learning, and pipeline continue to move forward as the company grows. You’ll focus on the earliest stages of our sales process: understanding who Keel is right for, starting thoughtful conversations, and qualifying opportunities with care.

This is a quality-led role
. Success in this role is measured by the quality of opportunities and the insight you bring back - not by volume alone.

While we’re open to exceptional career switchers, this role suits people who already have some exposure to commercial environments and are ready to operate with real ownership early on.

• Own outbound pipeline generation: Research and reach out to operations-led businesses that may be a good fit for Keel, using considered, relevant outreach.

• Qualify leads thoughtfully: Have early conversations to understand a prospect’s challenges, context, and timing, and progress the right opportunities forward.

• Work closely with the founder on handovers: Share context and insight so qualified conversations can move smoothly into deeper discussions.

• Develop strong discovery instincts: Learn how operations teams think about inventory, production, warehousing, fulfilment, and delivery - and ask thoughtful, well-timed questions.

• Refine our ICP and messaging over time: Partner closely with the founders to rapidly test assumptions, share learnings, and iterate based on real customer conversations.

• Keep a clear, honest pipeline: Maintain good notes, tidy CRM hygiene, and regular reflections on what’s working and what isn’t.

We’re building a team that prides itself on these things:

• 🚤
  Moves with intent
  :
  We’re still learning, iterating, and refining, so we need someone comfortable with speed, experimentation, and ambiguity

• 🧠
  Curiosity: especially about how complex operational problems show up in businesses

• 🏗️ A builder mindset: comfort creating structure where there isn’t much yet

• 📈
  Data-driven
  :
  You track what’s working (and what isn’t) and adjust based on real insights

• 🤝
  Team-first mindset
  :
  You’ll work closely with the Co-founders and product team, sharing learnings to improve our approach

• 🎯
  Driven by impact
  :
  You’re excited about contributing to a growing company where your work directly makes a difference.

• Are early in your sales journey - ideally with 1–2 years of SDR experience - and are motivated by steep learning curves and responsibility

• Are motivated by honing your craft of early-stage sales in an environment where pipeline quality directly impacts company success and momentum

• Are excited to work closely with the co‑founder
  , learning directly through hands‑on collaboration, fast feedback, and real customer conversations

• Thrive on building relationships and get energy from meeting new people, starting conversations, and earning trust quickly

• Enjoy thoughtful outbound and take pride in starting relevant, well‑researched conversations — even when it’s hard and results aren’t immediate

• Know how to listen carefully, ask incisive questions, and make clear calls on whether an opportunity is worth progressing

• Feel comfortable in small, early‑stage teams where progress depends on initiative, resilience, and ownership

• You’re primarily motivated by titles or timelines rather than…