Senior Business Development Specialist - Specialty Chemicals and Materials Trading

Position Title: Senior Business Development Specialist - Specialty Chemicals and Materials Trading


Location: Costa Mesa, CA


Classification: Full-Time, Exempt


Work Schedules: 9am - 5pm


Overtime: Frequent (due to global time zones and client-driven demands, regular overtime and occasional weekend availability are required)


Summary


A premier, specialized global trading corporation is seeking an ambitious, high-energy Senior Business Development Specialist for their Costa Mesa office. Operating at the pre-manager level, this role is a direct pipeline for a next-generation leader who understands the unique agility, relationship-driven ecosystem, and fast-paced dynamics of international commerce.


Unlike a traditional manufacturing framework centered around a fixed product catalog of their own produced items, this position demands a highly curious and adaptable professional capable of managing a highly diverse, ever-evolving portfolio of raw materials and technical components. The organization's global trade spans advanced energy components, specialized chemical formulations, industrial printing media, high-performance polymers, and international agricultural supply networks. This role is designed for a driven, fiercely commercial sales professional who possesses the intellectual agility to master multiple commodities simultaneously and run hard in a true trading house environment.


Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to

• Develop and manage new and existing high-value client and supplier portfolios; lead strategic commercial meetings, introduce new raw materials, and optimize international logistics pipelines.
• Source top-tier vendors, engineer complex commercial quotations, and aggressively negotiate pricing structures between global suppliers and clients to secure high-margin supply contracts.
• Undertake heavy domestic and international travel (33% to 50% of the month, typically spanning 3-5 days per trip) across the US and Asia (including Japan) to audit suppliers, visit clients, and secure new business.
• Actively pursue warm leads, conduct cold outreach, and execute on-site client presentations to introduce technical materials into new supply chains.
• Coordinate itineraries for overseas suppliers and accompany them on critical client visits to streamline compliance, execute non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), and facilitate product sample evaluations.
• Oversee corporate trade show and exhibition initiatives, managing everything from registration and booth design to active on-site attendance for brand promotion.
• Utilize advanced cross-cultural communication capabilities and bridge gaps between international stakeholders, streamline cross-border communication, and champion executive-led corporate initiatives.

Qualifications

• 5 to 10 years of robust business-to-business (B2B) sales or account management experience within a fast-paced international trading company or distribution environment.
• Deep conceptual understanding of raw material trading and supply chain mechanics, with a proven preference for trading agility over traditional manufacturing structures.
• Proven capability to handle multiple shifting priorities, sharp multitasking abilities, and a resilient, flexible approach to managing client-driven schedules and global time zones.
• High intellectual curiosity and the learning agility required to pivot across vastly different product lines rather than a single manufacturer portfolio.
• Direct experience working within an international corporate environment or a proven track record of managing accounts and trading relationships across diverse global business cultures.
• Ability to travel frequently (up to 50% time), including international trips to Asia and occasional weekend travel. A valid driver's license and an active passport are mandatory.
• Strong command of the Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook) for building pricing models, market reports, and client presentations.

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, International Relations, or a related technical/industrial field.
• Prior exposure to or interest in technical trading sectors, such as high-performance resins (for automotive/appliances), functional chemicals, semiconductor/display materials, digital print media, or global food/agricultural supply chains (preferred).
• Direct experience working within a Japanese corporate environment or a proven track record of managing accounts and trading relationships with Japanese organizations (highly preferred).