Americas Business Development Manager - Coatings

Synthomer is a leading supplier of high-performance, highly specialised polymers and ingredients that play vital roles in key sectors such as coatings, construction, adhesives, and health and protection – growing markets that serve billions of end users worldwide. Headquartered in London, UK and publicly listed there since 1971, we employ c.3,900 employees across our 5 innovation centres of excellence and more than 29 manufacturing sites across Europe, North America and Asia. Around 20% of our sales volumes are from new and patent protected products.

At our innovation centres of excellence in the UK, Germany, China, Malaysia and Ohio, USA we collaborate closely with our customers to develop new products and enhance existing ones tailored to their needs, with an increasing range of sustainability benefits. Since 2021, we have been proud holders of the London Stock Exchange Green Economy Mark, which recognises green technology businesses making a significant contribution to a more sustainable, low-carbon economy.

Job Summary

The purpose of the role is to lead Business Development activities in the Americas in support of the strategy of geographical diversification.  Working closely with the Marketing, Sales, and technical service teams the Business Development Manager will be the driving force in identifying and developing relationships with new prospects in existing and new markets.  This will enable growth of our existing product portfolio or specification of product innovation requirements. 

Main Accountabilities

• Develop a full understanding of the regional market shape and size for existing markets and scope out potential adjacent market opportunities by completing deep market analysis to identify market opportunities, trends, needs, and growth areas.

• Working closely with the marketing director carry out analysis to develop regional insights into commercial and technically driven trends and opportunities that will enable growth into new Specialty focused end market segments and applications.

• Prospect new business by establishing contacts and building relationships with new customers, gauging their needs and developing solutions to address these needs.  Develop persuasive proposals to convert potential customers managing the relationship through to first commercial sales.

• Ensure robust management of change process in place for transferring customer ownership to the sales organization.

• Collaborate with Customers, R&D, Technical Service, Sales and other internal teams to drive innovation and commercialization of high-impact new product development projects.

• Support the development of a robust business case on these new product development projects providing market insights that support the project financials and continuously monitor market developments through to first commercial sales.

• Responsible for defining the Americas regional 5 yr growth plan for new business growth working in collaboration with the sales and technical team to deliver.

• Establish and maintain positive relationships with trade associations and attend conferences to build relationships with industry partners and stay up to date with new trends.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required and/or combination of education and related experience in lieu of degree. Master’s degree preferred.

• Minimum of five years’ experience in Business Development in a speciality product environment. Ten or more years preferred.

• A proven ability to build and sustain good business relationships, to sell ideas, products and services, bring in new business, and hit targets.  

• A technical background in polymer chemistry and/or in the coatings to understand customer needs in new market segments and to translate this to NPD requirements.

• Strong commercial acumen with a solid understanding of business and marketing principles

• Outstanding interpersonal skills: strong ability to summarize key messages for business activities or product advantages.  Confident and articulate presenter.

• Self-starter with the ability to put business development programs in place working closely with other functions to deliver results.

• Full commitment to business integrity, customer value, teamwork, innovation, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I).

• A mission-driven, team player with the desire to make an impact and difference.

• Excellent MS Office software experience, CRM and planning tools (e.g. C4C, Salesforce, Arkieva).

• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel up to 30%.

• Ideal candidate will be located in Ohio and/or Midwest close to customer clusters and Technology Team, within driving distance of a major airport.

🌍 Global Benefits Overview

• 💰 Competitive, market-aligned compensation

• 🎯 Discretionary global bonus scheme

• 📈 Discretionary Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) – for senior positions

• 🚗 Company car or car allowance – varies by region and role

• 🩺 Healthcare – tailored to regional locations

• 👶 Parental leave and family support – maternity, paternity, adoption (aligned with regional policies)

• 🏡 Working options – flexibility where it matters, based on role and business needs

• 📚 Learning & development opportunities – training, online platforms, buddy/mentorship programs, Internal Synthomer University with L&D offers

• 💙 Wellbeing support – employee assistance program (EAP), mental health resources, wellbeing initiatives

• 🌱 Retirement / pension contributions – plans vary by country

• 🤝 Culture of Inclusion – where everyone can thrive

• 🏆 Performance culture, global reward & recognition programmes