Business Development - Paint Industry

Position Summary

The Business Development Manager is responsible for driving growth in the by identifying new business opportunities, expanding market share, and developing strategic partnerships. This role requires a deep understanding of industrial coatings, raw materials, and customer applications across sectors such as automotive, architectural, aerospace, and industrial manufacturing.

The ideal candidate will combine strong technical knowledge with proven sales acumen, exceptional relationship-building skills, and the ability to deliver innovative coating solutions that meet client performance and sustainability goals.

Key Responsibilities

Identify and develop new business opportunities in the paints, coatings, and surface treatments market.

Build and maintain strong relationships with OEMs, distributors, formulators, and contract manufacturers.

Develop and execute strategic sales plans to achieve revenue and profitability targets.

Work collaboratively with R&D, marketing, and operations teams to align product offerings with customer needs.

Manage the full sales cycle - from lead generation to contract negotiation and closing.

Provide customers with technical support, product recommendations, and application solutions.

Conduct market analysis to identify emerging trends, technologies, and competitive activity.

Represent the company at trade shows, technical conferences, and industry networking events.

Prepare detailed business reports, forecasts, and presentations for senior management.

Maintain a strong understanding of regulatory and environmental standards affecting coatings (VOC compliance, REACH, etc.).

Qualifications

Education : Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Business, or related field (Master's preferred).

Experience : 5+ years of sales, account management, or business development experience in the paints, coatings, or specialty chemicals industry.

Strong technical knowledge of coating formulations, pigments, resins, and raw materials.

Proven ability to achieve or exceed sales targets in a B2B environment.

Excellent negotiation, presentation, and communication skills.

Strong analytical and strategic thinking capabilities.

Proficiency with CRM tools (Salesforce, HubSpot) and Microsoft Office Suite.

Willingness to travel up to 40% domestically (and occasionally internationally).

Preferred Skills

Experience with industrial coatings, powder coatings, or waterborne / solvent-based systems.

Background in color science, surface preparation, or application processes.

Familiarity with sustainability-driven coating technologies (low-VOC, bio-based, or energy-efficient solutions).

Membership in professional organizations such as SSCT, ACA, or NACE.

What We Offer

Competitive base salary plus commission / bonus.

Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits.

401(k) with company match.

Paid time off and professional development opportunities.

The opportunity to represent innovative, high-performance coating technologies in a growing global market.