Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Polymer Science, Textiles, or related field.
5+ years of experience in industrial, manufacturing, OEM, rubber, polymer, or engineered product sales.
Experience selling customized or engineered solutions into OEM and industrial markets.
Strong understanding of rubber chemistry and compound formulation fundamentals.
Exceptional project management and organizational skills.
Responsibilities
Prospect and develop new OEM and industrial accounts throughout the United States.
Identify target customers and key decision makers through market research and outreach.
Build and manage a robust pipeline of opportunities using Salesforce CRM.
Establish credibility with stakeholders and convert relationships into business opportunities.
Lead the commercial and technical development process from application assessment to launch.
Negotiate pricing and commercial terms within company guidelines.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure successful execution of business opportunities.
Benefits
Travel opportunities up to 50% by automobile and air.
Work in a typical office and manufacturing plant environment.
Engage in a dynamic role that combines technical and business development skills.
Full Job Description
Job Overview
The Business Development Manager is responsible for driving profitable growth through the identification, development, and commercialization of custom-engineered rubber and polymer solutions for OEM and industrial customers across North America. This role combines strong business development capabilities with deep technical expertise in rubber chemistry, compounding, and manufacturing processes.
Acting as both a technical advisor and strategic business developer, this individual identifies customer challenges, evaluates application requirements, and leads the development of customized solutions from concept through commercial launch. The role requires a highly self-directed professional capable of prospecting, developing new opportunities, managing long and complex sales cycles, and coordinating cross-functional resources to deliver profitable business growth.
Duties and Responsibilities
Prospect and develop new OEM and industrial accounts throughout the United States.
Identify target customers, applications, and key decision makers through independent market research, industry networks, referrals, trade associations, trade shows, and direct outreach.
Build and actively manage a robust pipeline of opportunities utilizing Salesforce CRM.
Establish credibility with engineering, technical, purchasing, quality, and operations stakeholders and convert relationships into profitable business opportunities.
Re-engage inactive and former customers where attractive opportunities exist.
Expand share of wallet within existing customer accounts through strategic account development and identification of new applications.
Represent the company at industry trade shows, technical conferences, and customer events to identify emerging market opportunities and strengthen industry relationships.
Utilize a consultative sales approach to identify customer challenges related to performance, quality, manufacturability, cost, and supply chain requirements.
Assess customer applications and develop customized rubber and polymer-based solutions aligned with technical and commercial objectives.
Present and communicate the technical and financial value of proposed solutions to customer stakeholders.
Understand customer processes, specifications, and application requirements to ensure recommended solutions align with operational needs.
Serve as the primary commercial contact throughout the product development and qualification process.
Lead the commercial and technical development process from initial application assessment through quotation, sampling, trial production, validation, and commercial launch.
Coordinate internal technical reviews before committing to pricing, manufacturing capability, lead time, performance expectations, or product specifications.
Develop accurate technical and commercial quotations in partnership with Operations, Finance, Supply Chain, Engineering, and Quality teams.
Gather and analyze information required to estimate material costs, conversion requirements, tooling, testing, minimum order quantities, lead times, freight costs, and target margins.
Maintain disciplined quote follow-up while documenting assumptions, customer changes, technical revisions, and commercial decisions.
Negotiate pricing, commercial terms, and agreements within established company guidelines and approval processes.
Manage multiple development projects and opportunities simultaneously while maintaining forecast accuracy and pipeline visibility.
Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Customer Service, and Leadership teams to ensure successful execution of business opportunities.
Communicate project requirements, timelines, risks, and customer expectations throughout the commercialization process.
Support manufacturing and technical teams during trials, testing, validation, and production start-up activities.
Provide market intelligence, competitive insights, and customer feedback to support strategic business decisions.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Strong understanding of rubber chemistry and compound formulation fundamentals.
Knowledge of elastomer materials, polymers, reinforcement materials, and performance characteristics.
Understanding of rubber manufacturing processes including calendering, extrusion, coating, laminating, fabric reinforcement technologies
Ability to interpret technical specifications, engineering drawings, tolerances, testing standards, and performance requirements.
Knowledge of product development, qualification testing, validation procedures, and commercialization processes.
Understanding manufacturing capabilities, equipment limitations, and process requirements within a custom manufacturing environment.
Strong negotiation, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
Strong analytical and financial acumen with the ability to develop pricing strategies and ROI calculations.
Exceptional project management and organizational skills.
Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
Proficiency with CRM software and Microsoft Office Suite.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Education and Experience
Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Polymer Science, Textiles, or related field.
5+ years of experience in industrial, manufacturing, OEM, rubber, polymer, or engineered product sales.
Experience selling customized or engineered solutions into OEM and industrial markets.
Working Conditions • Typical office and manufacturing plant environment • Travel up to 50% by automobile and air
Physical Requirements
Ability to occasionally lift and carry product samples, marketing materials, and trade show equipment up to 25 pounds.
The employee frequently is required to sit, stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear and will occasionally be required to bend, stoop, kneel and climb stairs
About Myers Industries, Inc.
Myers Industries, Inc. is a diversified, international manufacturer of polymer-based products and wholesale distributor of tire repair and retread products. The company operates through two segments: Material Handling and Distribution. The Material Handling segment designs, manufactures, and markets a range of plastic and metal products, including plastic reusable material handling containers and small parts storage bins, pallets, plastic carts, and metal racks and shelving. The Distribution segment distributes tools, equipment, and supplies used for tire servicing and automotive undervehicle repair and provides retread and repair services. Myers Industries was founded in 1933 and is headquartered in Akron, Ohio.
