Business Development Manager - Thermoplastics

The Business Development Manager is responsible for developing and commercializing a robust opportunity pipeline of new products into existing and new segments of a defined market. You will accelerate GEON’s profitable volume and market share growth by creating a portfolio of near-term and longer-term opportunities aligned with the company’s strategy and goals.

This position requires a strategic thinker with strong market intelligence, customer insight capabilities, and the ability to build and maintain key internal and external relationships. The ideal candidate will be adept at managing a diversified innovation portfolio and converting those projects into recurring sales. Additionally, they will act as a key influencer within the organization, championing the use of GEON’s business processes and collaborating closely with Innovation, Marketing, and Sales colleagues.

Primary Responsibilities

Market & Opportunity Identification:

• Analyze market trends and customer demands to identify emerging opportunities and potential risks
• Collect & share voice of customer (VOC) throughout product development process, translating customer needs into actionable insights and refining product requirements based on customer feedback
• Build informal & formal relationships with external partners (suppliers, research institutions, startups, ...) to identify future market needs
  
  
  

Innovation Strategy and Portfolio Management (new products into existing or new markets):

• Define & refine market/innovation roadmap based on market dynamics and long-term business goals
• Facilitate cross-functional team (R&D, Product Management, Marketing) to prioritize projects with highest market, technical and financial feasibility
• Ensure balanced and diversified innovation portfolio which meets short & long-term business goals
• Monitor innovation performance metrics to adjust strategies and reallocate resources as needed
• Identify strategic partnerships or acquisitions to enhance the innovation portfolio
  
  
  

Go-to-Market Strategy:

• Convert Type 3 & 4 projects into recurring sales by developing business cases, crafting launch strategies with Marketing, and ensuring Operations & Supply Chain capabilities are aligned
• Document value proposition with Marketing and assess potential to sell into additional applications
• Track customer adoption rates and collect feedback to optimize post-launch product performance
  
  
  

GEON Influencer:

• Partner with Sales and Distribution to deliver the assigned market’s Annual Operating Plan (AOP) volume and margin through team selling
• Champion GEON’s innovation and selling processes
  
  
  

Key Goals & Deliverables

• Market Intelligence: Report on market trends, competitor activity, opportunity identification
• Innovation Pipeline: Number and value of project ideas advancing through the stage-gate process
• Go-to-Market (GTM) strategy: Craft launch strategy with Marketing, ensure Operations and Supply Chain capabilities are in place, provide smooth transition to Sales
• Team selling: Follow selling and innovation processes to accelerate commercialization, make joint prospect and customer calls with territory/key account managers and distribution partners
  
  
  

Experience & Education

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, or business is preferred, although equivalent work experience will be considered.
• 10+ years of experience required in business development, technical sales, product management, product development, strategic marketing, and/or related discipline, preferably in a polymer or chemical-related industry.