Global Market Development Leader - Thermal IndustrialAbout the RoleThe
Nomex® and Kevlar® Personal Protection business is seeking a motivated
Global Market Development Leader - Thermal Industrial to support a critical segment of our global portfolio. The Nomex® and Kevlar® Personal Protection business is a global industry leader providing high-performance solutions that protect workers across industries including oil & gas, chemical manufacturing, utilities, emergency response, and military applications.
Within this context, this role plays a pivotal part in shaping the future of the Thermal Industrial segment by identifying market needs, driving innovation, and leading new product development from concept through commercialization.
This is a high-impact role that sits at the intersection of
market strategy, product development, and cross-functional execution, operating globally and partnering across technical, product, supply chain, and commercial teams to bring new solutions to market. Success in this role requires the ability to translate complex technical concepts into commercially viable solutions while leading initiatives across a global, matrixed organization.
What You Will Do- Own and help shape the global market strategy for the Thermal Industrial segment
- Identify unmet customer needs and translate them into product and application opportunities
- Lead end-to-end innovation projects, driving new product development from concept through commercialization (typically 9-18+ month cycles)
- Translate complex technical concepts into clear, commercially relevant value propositions for internal and external stakeholders
- Partner directly with customer product development teams to identify needs and co-develop new solutions
- Define product requirements and collaborate with technical, product management, and supply chain teams to deliver new solutions
- Drive alignment between customer needs, technical feasibility, and business objectives throughout the development lifecycle
- Lead cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders across a global, matrixed organization
- Develop and support go-to-market strategies in partnership with marketing and commercial teams
- Engage with customers and partners to validate product concepts, define specifications, and guide development priorities
- Transition launched products to the commercial team to drive adoption and growth
- Maintain a strong understanding of global market trends, competitive landscape, and customer needs
- Support pricing strategy, business case development, and financial evaluation of growth opportunities
What This Role Is- A blend of strategy and execution
- Focused on innovation pipeline ownership
- A global-facing role with cross-regional collaboration
- A role centered on leading initiatives end-to-end through collaboration and influence
What We're Looking ForCore Experience- Experience in market development, product strategy, innovation, or business development roles
- Background in industrial, manufacturing, technical, or product-driven environments (PPE, chemicals, materials, or similar preferred)
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives without direct authority
Key Capabilities- Ability to translate technical concepts into commercially meaningful solutions
- Strong balance of strategic thinking and hands-on execution
- Experience driving complex, long-cycle projects from concept to launch
- Highly organized with strong planning and prioritization skills in complex environments
- Demonstrated ability to navigate ambiguity and manage multi-phase initiatives
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships and influence across diverse teams
- Strategic mindset with the ability to anticipate risks, evaluate scenarios, and develop contingency plans
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to operate effectively in a global, matrixed environment
- Strong business acumen, including pricing, ROI, and market analysis
Education- Bachelor's degree required (Business, Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, or related field preferred)
- MBA or advanced degree is a plus
How You Will Be Successful- Build strong internal relationships early to effectively navigate a highly matrixed organization
- Develop a deep understanding of customer needs and market dynamics to inform innovation priorities
- Balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution to drive initiatives forward
- Leverage cross-functional expertise to advance complex projects from concept through commercialization
- Maintain a structured and organized approach to managing multiple initiatives across regions and timelines
LocationThis is a global role with flexibility in location for the right candidate.
Primary regions of focus include:
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Spain
- Europe (aligned with business footprint)
Travel- Approximately 20% travel, primarily for customer engagement and cross-functional collaboration
Why This Role- Opportunity to shape the future of a global, $180M+ business segment
- Direct impact on innovation and product development pipeline
- Exposure to global markets and cross-functional leadership
- Work on purpose-driven products that protect people in critical environments
- Partner with globally recognized brands, including Nomex® and Kevlar®, in the personal protection space
