Business Development Manager

IP Corporation is a privately held, family-owned chemical manufacturing organization with over 70 years of stability, innovation, and growth. Headquartered in Minnesota, we support a portfolio of operating companies that manufacture and distribute resins, gel coats, composite materials, and specialty polymer solutions for industrial applications worldwide. Our companies—Interplastic Corporation, North American Composites, HK Research, and Molding Products—deliver technical expertise, high-quality products, and long-term partnerships with a customer-first mindset.

About the role

The Business Development Manager, Molding Products drives profitable growth through market expansion, new customer acquisition, and application development within targeted composite and molding markets. This role identifies and captures new business opportunities by partnering with OEMs, custom molders, and Tier suppliers to replace traditional engineering materials with thermoset composite solutions. You will lead commercial aspects of application and product development, collaborating with R&D, technical service, operations, supply chain, and product management to translate customer requirements into tailored sheet molding compound (SMC) solutions.

Responsibilities

• Identify, prioritize, and penetrate high-value growth segments, including automotive, recreational vehicle, heavy truck, infrastructure, electrical enclosures, consumer products, and construction.
• Prospect for and develop relationships with OEMs, custom molders, Tier suppliers, and other strategic partners.
• Serve as the primary commercial contact for targeted accounts and new development opportunities.
• Partner with R&D to develop new formulations aligned with customer requirements and emerging market needs.
• Establish market-segment, account, and revenue targets for assigned territories and opportunities.
• Represent Molding Products at trade shows, industry associations, conferences, and customer events.
• Develop and execute segment-based growth plans aligned with the overall business strategy.
• Lead technical-commercial sales efforts for new programs from initial customer engagement through commercialization.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, materials science, business, or a related field; a technical background is strongly preferred.
• Experience with sheet molding compound (SMC), bulk molding compound (BMC), or thermoset molding processes.
• Five or more years of experience in OEM market development, business development, or technical sales within composites, thermosets, plastics, specialty materials, or a related industry.
• Experience working with OEMs, Tier suppliers, custom molders, or industrial manufacturers.
• Strong business-development and strategic-hunting capabilities.
• Ability to balance technical application development with commercial and financial objectives.
• Demonstrated success developing new accounts, penetrating target markets, and generating profitable revenue growth.
• Familiarity with automotive, infrastructure, electrical, industrial, construction, or consumer markets.

Benefits

• Competitive medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Generous paid time off (PTO).
• 401(k) with company match.
• Opportunity for professional growth, leadership development, and long-term career advancement.
• Collaborative culture built on integrity, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

• Ability to work in an office environment with travel to customer and manufacturing sites.
• Ability to sit, stand, or walk for extended periods.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds as needed.
• Travel up to 80% may be required.