Director, Market Development Growth Markets

Job Summary:

As the Director, Market Development Growth Markets, you will be responsible for identifying and driving new business opportunities, fostering strategic partnerships, and managing a cross-functional team of R&D and commercialization resources. Your role will be integral in developing new technology solutions and ensuring successful market introduction and expansion. You will collaborate closely with internal teams and external stakeholders to create strategic plans and lead efforts to drive business growth in industry gas markets.

High level details:

• Responsible for creating new business opportunities, leading, developing and delivering the growth targets for Messer’s emerging markets.
• Responsible for leading deep dives (business and technical) and identifying growth opportunities in new markets for Messer.
• Support and in select cases, lead sales efforts focused on new business to accelerate profitable sales growth, in collaboration with the existing sales and marketing organization and external partners.
• Lead a team responsible for identifying, developing and commercializing new industry gas applications outside of Messer’s core business.

Why Messer?   

Messer is the world’s largest privately held industrial gases company and what we do matters because it is woven into every part of life, from the medical gases that patients rely on to the essential elements needed to safely and sustainably produce the goods our communities depend on. 

The true strength of Messer is our people—at every level and in every role. 

Join us and take pride in the impact you will make by providing solutions essential to our world and lives. Reach your highest potential at our stable, inclusive company with diverse opportunities in a growing industry, supported by people who care.  

Messer stands apart because we put what matters first, and you matter.  

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the identification and pursuit of new business opportunities with a focus on technology solutions in growth markets for Messer.
• Manage a team of R&D and commercialization professionals to innovate and deliver solutions that meet market demands and client specifications.
• Oversee the development of product roadmaps, ensuring that R&D activities are aligned with market trends, customer needs, and technological advancements.
• Define and implement go-to-market strategies, working with cross-functional teams to ensure smooth commercialization, from concept through market introduction and scaling.
• Cultivate and manage relationships with key industry stakeholders, including corporate partners, suppliers, regulators, and customers, to strengthen the company’s presence in the market.
• Act as a subject matter expert, provide guidance on the latest innovations, market conditions, and regulatory requirements.
• Create and present high-level technical proposals, business cases, and product demos to senior executives and potential clients.
• Drive negotiation and close of agreements (coordinating with our existing sales and marketing organization), ensuring optimal deal terms and ensuring alignment with business and technical objectives.
• Lead market research and analysis to identify emerging opportunities in the industrial gas technology space, focusing on product differentiation and competitive advantage.
• Ensure a seamless integration of customer feedback into the product development and commercialization processes to optimize product-market fit.
• Represent the company at industry events, trade shows, and technical conferences to raise brand visibility and foster new business relationships.

• Utilize financial and business acumen to make good commercial decisions.
• Understands relevant Value Propositions and utilize effectively to extract fair share of value for Messer.

Future development and growth of the business

• Drives opportunities and solutions regarding: Market segment strategy, economic trends and market conditions, account strategies, investment and new business opportunities
• Provides customer/market feedback to incorporate into Industry Segment strategy (Business Development)
• Inputs to and executes strategic plans for new products, and specific account strategies for customers and prospects
• Inspires collaboration and team selling leveraging Industry Teams, Key Customer Managers, On-site Business Development and Inside Sales as well as other Messer assets to optimize business results.

Deep Customer & Competitor Insight

• Keeps abreast and up to date on customer and industry news, updates, and impending events that relate to defined targets
• Can anticipate competition's probable sales strategy through own business acumen, including understanding of Messer's and competitors' plant and logistics.
• Develops deep relationships with key stakeholders across the customer organization and facilitates strategies to enable other Messer team members to do the same.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience leading cross-functional teams, particularly in R&D and commercialization, in a technical product development environment.
• Deep understanding of industrial gas technologies, including applications, regulatory standards, and market trends (e.g., gas generation, distribution systems, gas applications, and innovations in industrial gases).
• Demonstrated track record of successfully driving business growth, securing new clients, and bringing innovative products to market.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage, mentor, and motivate a diverse team.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and relationship-building abilities with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to understand and communicate complex technical concepts to a variety of audiences.
• Strong analytical skills and experience leveraging market data to drive business decisions.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt to evolving market conditions and customer requirements.
• Must be well organized and able to handle multiple priorities, with time management proficiency.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Technology, or a related field (Master’s preferred)
• 15 years of experience in business development, sales, or product management within the industrial gas sector or related industries.

About Messer:  

Messer’s safety culture, commitment to providing dependable supply and innovative gas technology solutions help customers unlock opportunities to be safer, more sustainable, more productive and more efficient, so their business thrives. We nurture lasting, meaningful relationships with customers, our communities, and with one another.  

We offer comprehensive benefits and appreciable pay, with steady schedules and opportunities for ongoing training and career progression. We prioritize and invest in our people at every level of our organization – the dedication, knowledge, customer focus and entrepreneurial spirit of our employees is what make Messer refreshingly different. 

If you need assistance with the application or would like to request accommodation, call (877) 243-1030.