Business Development Manager, Fermentation

Business Development Manager, Fermentation

The Business Development Manager, Fermentation will be responsible for all commercial activities in the fermentation sector in the United States. This role is accountable for developing and driving growth strategy, revenue expansion through customer relationships and opportunity development, and the identification and managing of key suppliers. In addition, the role will support colleagues in other business units within IMCD in identifying and closing new business wherever fermentation expertise and ingredients are required.

IMCD is creating a world of opportunity as a global leader in the formulation, sales and distribution of specialty chemicals and ingredients. Our story can be traced back to a small group of companies that came together in 1995 with a vision for the industry. Today, guided by the entrepreneurial spirit of our founders, we operate in more than 60 countries across six continents and proudly employ over 5,200 professionals. Our aim is to help our suppliers simplify and grow their business operations through our extensive local networks, market intelligence and technical expertise. Our customers benefit from direct access to a large portfolio of high-quality products, avoiding the complexity of dealing with multiple points of contact. As a responsible distributor of specialty chemicals, our strategy for growth is underpinned by balancing the needs of our people, the environment, and the communities within which we operate. We are rightfully proud of our team's diversity, which draws from a range of backgrounds and nationalities, and enables us to benefit from fresh perspectives and ways of problem-solving.

The Business Development Manager is responsible for driving strategic growth within designated markets by developing new business opportunities, expanding product portfolios, and strengthening relationships with suppliers and customers. This role directly contributes to IMCD's commercial strategy by identifying market trends, implementing growth roadmaps, and supporting the sales organization in building a robust opportunity pipeline.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of a market growth strategy focused on market penetration, opportunity creation, commercial expansion, and the successful closure of new business opportunities.
• Identify, develop, and close new customer, application, and market opportunities using internal tools, industry insights, and external data sources. Prioritize high?value targets that align with strategic objectives.
• Build and maintain expert-level knowledge of assigned segments and IMCD's product portfolio to support customer engagement, solution development, and strong opportunity conversion.
• Assess product portfolio gaps and recommend new principals, technologies, or innovations that strengthen IMCD's competitive position and support commercial success.
• Partner with sales teams to strengthen pipeline development, coach on sales process best practices, and collaborate on key account strategies. Independently drive, manage, and close opportunities within the pipeline.
• Conduct customer and supplier visits, including meetings with R&D, purchasing, and technical groups, to qualify opportunities, advance commercial relationships, and close business.
• Represent IMCD at trade shows and industry events to expand the network, identify emerging trends, and uncover partnership or growth opportunities.
• Utilize IMCD commercial and technical support systems to manage and advance pipeline opportunities through closure, generate reporting, and resolve technical or commercial challenges.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree required with a preferred area of study in Business Administration, Marketing, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related technical degree. Minimum 6 years of business development, commercial, or technical sales experience within chemicals, ingredients, industrial markets, or a closely related B2B environment.

Preferred experience in specialty chemicals distribution, formulation science, or technical consultative sales. Experience working with principals/suppliers and managing technical product lines preferred. Demonstrated success in new market development or launching new product lines. Knowledge of relevant regulatory, supply chain, or product stewardship considerations for the industries served.

Must be able to travel frequently (up to 50%), may include overnight travel.