Business Development Manager

This role will lead Engineered Materials' expansion into targeted OEM accounts throughout the Upper Midwest.The primary focus is penetrating new customer accounts. Individual will be responsible for identifying points of entry into target manufacturers, building relationships with key contacts, and developing new projects that translate into repeat business. This is a consultative, technical business development position that requires persistence, technical curiosity, and the ability to adapt penetration strategies based on real-world feedback. Success will be measured by the ability to develop meaningful relationships within targeted OEM accounts, create qualified new opportunities, and convert those opportunities into profitable design-in production business. Key Responsibilities Develop strategic relationships within targeted OEM manufacturers and convert identified opportunities into long-term production business. Develop and refine account penetration strategies iteratively based on progress, obstacles, and learning. Identify penetration opportunities including critical design-in projects early in the product development lifecycle. Sell value-added custom engineered material solutions by understanding application requirements, constraints, and customer performance goals. Engage complex, multi-stakeholder sales involving engineering, sourcing, operations, and executive decision makers. Translate customer pain points into viable improvement opportunities requiring Engineered Materials solutions. Manage a small portfolio of existing accounts while prioritizing net-new growth. Expand business within newly penetrated accounts by actively driving additional programs and applications. Maintain disciplined CRM documentation, forecasting, and pipeline management. Collaborate with leadership to refine target account lists and vertical focus. Coordinate internal technical and commercial resources to advance customer opportunities. Ideal Candidate Profile Required Experience Minimum 7 years of B2B OEM sales experience selling technical solutions to design engineers. Proven success penetrating and growing large OEM accounts. Experience selling one or more of the following: Converted or fabricated tape, foam, or gasket components. Engineered adhesive or tape solutions designed into customer products. Other engineered or technical solutions sold to engineers. The ideal candidate enjoys solving technical business problems, opening doors where relationships do not yet exist, and building long-term customer partnerships rather than pursuing short-term transactional sales. Deep familiarity with the Upper Midwest manufacturing landscape. Established network of engineering, manufacturing, and sourcing contacts in major accounts. Comfortable navigating complex organizations and finding non-obvious entry points. Skills & Attributes Self-motivated, disciplined, and comfortable working without a rigid playbook. Highly organized with disciplined follow-up and opportunity management. Strong technical curiosity and ability to learn new materials and processes. Confident engaging engineers as a problem solving resource. Comfortable developing opportunities that may require months of technical evaluation. before production orders are released. Collaborative mindset with internal teams. #J-18808-Ljbffr