Director of Market Development

Summary

This position leads the Market Development Engineers (MDE's) and provides technical leadership related strategic growth and customer reverence. This individual must possess expertise in plastic material selection, design and process technology along with customer acumen to effectively manage the team and contribute to business objectives.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Assigns and directs MDE's on customer technical support and project workload
• Sets annual team member goals & conducts performance appraisals to ensure team is meeting expectations.
• Responsible for staffing of department, including hiring and firing, along with performance improvement plans as required
• Provides coaching, training and guidance to MDE's as required, along with setting best practices to align the departments activities in meeting objectives around growth and customer reverence.
• Supports MDE's in developing relationships with key customers and OEM's, and product selection and development guidance to assist with new business awards and approvals.
• Directly handles strategic number of accounts (including OEM) and performs all MDE duties associated with maintaining and growing business relationships and volume.
• Fosters a positive and collaborative team culture both within the Market Development team and with Sales, Product Development, Product Management and global teams to align activities with business objectives.
• Monthly participation with sales regions (Mexico, East, West, Automotive, EU, China) to ensure MDE and sales teams are aligned
• Oversees regular project reviews to monitor progress, identify risks and implement course corrections in order to ensure new business growth targets are being met or exceeded.
• Regularly compile and analyze trends within customers, markets and new innovations to identify market opportunities and adapt technical objectives to expand product offerings in existing or new spaces.
• Compiles and distributes monthly new business dashboard along with other reports as requested by Vice President of Technology.
• Assists is establishing goals during business planning related to new business development.
• Approves team members' quarterly MDE commissions, monthly expenses, vacation requests and other administrative tasks as required.
• Support Marketing for updates to website, presentation, trade shows, sales literature and web inquiries
• Performs other duties and assignments as directed by Vice President of Technology
  
  

Recommended Qualifications and Skills

• Education: BS, MS or PhD in chemistry, polymer science, chemical/mechanical/material engineering or related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in plastic industry
• Strong technical skills in polyolefin compounding, formulating, and/or finished product processing and design.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills to effectively collaborate with stakeholders at all levels.
  
  

Working Conditions

• Based in Auburn Hills, MI Office
• Manufacturing & Laboratory environments both internally and externally
• Up to 50% travel (including international) will be expected supporting customer visits and internal meetings