Business Development Manager

Key Responsibilities

• Identify, evaluate, and prioritize new market opportunities that align with Superior Trim's manufacturing capabilities.
• Develop growth strategies for target industries including transportation, seating, furniture, recreational vehicles, marine, aerospace, retail products, construction, agriculture, and consumer goods.
• Analyze market trends, competitive activity, customer needs, and industry developments.
• Develop and maintain a multi-year commercialization roadmap with measurable revenue objectives.
• Challenge conventional thinking and drive innovative growth initiatives throughout the organization.
• Identify and pursue new customers, programs, strategic accounts, and revenue opportunities.
• Lead prospecting efforts from initial contact through business award and launch.
• Career development and maintenance of a robust pipeline of qualified opportunities.
• Develop and strengthen relationships with customers, suppliers, manufacturers' representatives, industry associations, and strategic partners.
• Leverage supplier partnerships to identify collaborative growth opportunities and new market access.
• Create partnerships that expand Superior Trim's capabilities and competitive advantages.
• Identify opportunities to develop proprietary products and new revenue streams.
• Evaluate retail and direct-to-consumer opportunities that leverage existing manufacturing assets.
• Support product validation, market testing, and commercialization efforts.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to move opportunities from concept through production.
• Assess emerging technologies and manufacturing processes for strategic fit and growth potential.
• Collaborate with Operations, Engineering, Tooling, and Purchasing teams to evaluate capital investment opportunities.
• Support business case development for new equipment, tooling, manufacturing capabilities, and capacity expansion projects.
• Ensure growth opportunities align with operational capabilities and profitability objectives.
• Work closely with executive leadership to establish business development priorities.
• Serve as a strategic advisor regarding market trends, competitive positioning, and growth opportunities.
• Facilitate collaboration among Sales, Engineering, Operations, Quality, Purchasing, Finance, and Manufacturing teams.
• Build organizational alignment around growth initiatives and strategic priorities.

Qualifications

• Required: Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Manufacturing, Marketing, or related field.
• Minimum 7 years of business development, sales, account management, product commercialization, or strategic growth experience within manufacturing.
• Demonstrated success identifying and developing new business opportunities.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, supply chains, and industrial operations.
• Experience developing and executing strategic growth plans.
• Strong financial, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent presentation, negotiation, and relationship management skills.
• Ability to travel approximately 25–40%.

Preferred

• Experience in automotive, transportation, seating, furniture, aerospace, marine, recreational vehicle, or industrial manufacturing markets.
• Knowledge of foam molding, thermoforming, cut-and-sew, upholstery, plastics processing, tooling, or related manufacturing processes.
• Experience working with OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and strategic manufacturing partners.
• MBA or advanced business education.

Key Competencies

• Strategic Thinking
• Business Acumen
• Relationship Building
• Market Analysis
• Influence & Collaboration
• Negotiation
• Communication
• Product Commercialization
• Financial Analysis
• Project Leadership
• Innovation & Creativity

Success Measures

• Develop qualified opportunities in targeted growth markets.
• Establish new strategic customer and supplier relationships.
• Increase annual revenue through new business development initiatives.
• Successfully commercialize new products and manufacturing capabilities.
• Develop a sustainable pipeline of growth opportunities aligned with Superior Trim's strategic objectives.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary
• Performance-based incentive program
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and holidays