Business Development Manager

Founded in 1920, Eastman is a global specialty materials company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With the purpose of enhancing the quality of life in a material way, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. The company’s innovation-driven growth model takes advantage of world-class technology platforms, deep customer engagement, and differentiated application development to grow its leading positions in attractive end markets such as transportation, building and construction, and consumables. As a globally inclusive company, Eastman employs approximately 13,000 people around the world and serves customers in more than 100 countries. The company had 2025 revenue of approximately $8.8 billion and is headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA. For more information, visit  Profile The North America Business Development Manager focusing on US is responsible for driving market activation and building deep customer relationships and market knowledge across the territory. You will develop discipline in opportunity and front-end funnel management, enhance regional business development talent and capabilities in-line with Segment strategy, and focus on finding new opportunities and establishing connections with multiple contacts at potential customers. You will steward customer engagements from initial awareness through commercialization, and partner with cross functional teams to meet customer requirements and develop customer segment offers and solutions. You will gather market insights and customer unmet needs and contribute to the development of the Personal Care multigeneration innovation pipeline. This role will be based in the US. Approximately 75%+ travel is required.Responsibilities Generate and qualify targets aligned with the territory and Segment strategy to deliver future growth. Drive market activation and build deep, multi-contact customer relationships across US and opportunistically in LATAM. Effectively engage potential customers to understand unmet needs and their buying process; challenge customers to consider new ways of winning. Build and use market knowledge and competitive/customer information to expand sales opportunity development. Develop and maintain discipline in front-end funnel and Opportunity Management to prioritize, track, and drive opportunities to close sales. Use CRM and sales systems to ensure timely updates, accurate opportunity records, and seamless handoffs to Account Managers and internal teams. Steward the customer’s development, evaluation (including product testing), and decision-making for new solutions. Present and test value propositions that clearly show how Eastman solutions help customers win. Partner with Strategic Marketing, Application Development, Technical Services, Sales, and Product Management to secure required resources and develop customer segment offers and solutions. Plan, coordinate, and host industry and customer events to systematically build customer relationships and drive project acquisition. Identify new business/project opportunities (new markets, growth areas, trends, customers, partnerships, products/services, or new ways of reaching existing markets) based on commercial attractiveness and Eastman capabilities. Cultivate a broad network of relationships across the value chain and within customer organizations beyond procurement (Operations, Technology, Senior Leadership, Marketing, etc.). Collaborate with channel partners and distributors to develop and grow local markets for personal-care ingredients through joint business planning, sales and technical enablement, and targeted promotional activities. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is required; Master’s degree or PhD preferred. Fields: Business and/or Chemical Engineering, or a related field. Fluency in English Several years of experience in business development or similar external customer facing roles in a multinational company; experience in food, pharmaceutical, or personal care industries is a plus. Experience using Salesforce CRM and Opportunity Management tools and sales systems; ability to follow structured opportunity/funnel processes. Strong technical/market strategy, discovery, communication, and negotiation skills. Entrepreneurial mindset, ownership, resilience, and a “never give up” attitude. Willingness and ability to travel approximately 75%+. The base salary range for this position is $140,000 to $192,500. ​ At Eastman, we are committed to transparency and integrity in our compensation practices. Eastman includes salary ranges in some job postings to provide clear compensation information and to be compliant with state laws that require disclosure. Not all postings display ranges due to factors like location, market conditions, or position specifics. Compensation is based on qualifications and experience. Candidates are encouraged to discuss their salary questions during the interview process. Benefits Your total rewards go far beyond a competitive salary. When you join Eastman, you gain access to an exceptional suite of programs designed to protect your health, grow your wealth, and fuel your career. Compensation & Incentives• Base pay plus performance-based incentive opportunities that let you share in our success. Health & Wellness• Comprehensive medical, prescription-drug, and dental coverage—paired with a Health Savings Account option to help you save tax-free dollars for care today or in the future.• A robust menu of voluntary benefits—including vision, optional life, critical-illness protection, and more—so you can tailor coverage to fit your life.• Holistic wellness support: financial-planning tools, family-building assistance (adoption, pregnancy, and fertility resources), parental leave, and confidential Employee Assistance Program counseling. Retirement & Financial Strategies • 401(k) with a company match—plus an additional annual retirement contribution from Eastman to accelerate your long-term savings. Time Away• Eleven paid holidays, one personal day, paid time off, and paid vacation to recharge, celebrate, or handle life’s moments. Growth & Development• Access to mentorship, learning resources, and leadership programs that empower you to thrive in your current role and chart the next steps in your career. At Eastman, we invest in the whole you—so you can bring your best self to work every day and build a future you’re proud of. Eastman Chemical Company is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, pregnancy, veteran status or any other protected classes as designated by law. Eastman is committed to creating a powerfully engaged workplace, where everyone can contribute to their fullest potential each day.