What are the responsibilities and job description for the Sales and Business Development Nonwoven position at SP Associates?
We are seeking an experienced Sales and Business Development Manager to drive growth across industrial and specialty markets. This position will focus on developing new business, expanding strategic customer relationships, and identifying new applications for nonwoven materials. The ideal candidate will have direct experience in the nonwovens industry and a proven track record working with OEMs and industrial customers in markets such as home appliance, filtration, acoustical, insulation, industrial, building and construction, and other specialty applications. The role combines strategic sales, technical business development, account management, and project leadership.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute business development strategies for targeted industrial and specialty nonwoven markets.
- Identify, qualify, and pursue new customers, applications, and revenue opportunities.
- Build and maintain a strong pipeline of new business opportunities.
- Develop and strengthen relationships with OEMs, Tier suppliers, engineers, purchasing teams, and key decision makers.
- Manage and grow strategic customer accounts while identifying opportunities for increased revenue and market penetration.
- Lead customer opportunities from initial concept and RFQ through product development, testing, launch, and commercialization.
- Work closely with Engineering, R&D, Operations, Quality, and Manufacturing to develop solutions that meet customer requirements.
- Identify opportunities where engineered nonwoven materials can replace or improve traditional materials.
- Conduct customer visits, business reviews, technical meetings, audits, and presentations.
- Monitor market trends, competitive activity, pricing, and emerging applications.
- Represent the company at industry trade shows, conferences, and customer events.
- Ensure new programs are delivered on schedule, meet customer expectations, and achieve targeted profitability.
Qualifications
- 7 years of experience in B2B sales, business development, account management, or technical sales.
- Direct experience in the nonwovens, textiles, engineered materials, filtration, insulation, composites, or related industries.
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Textiles, Marketing, or a related field preferred.
- Demonstrated success developing new business and growing strategic customer accounts.
- Experience working with OEMs and/or industrial customers.
- Strong understanding of nonwoven materials, applications, and manufacturing processes preferred.
- Experience in one or more of the following markets strongly preferred: appliance, filtration, acoustical, insulation, industrial, transportation, building & construction, or specialty materials.
- Experience managing RFQs, customer specifications, product development, trials, testing, and new program launches.
- Strong project management, negotiation, presentation, and communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively across sales, engineering, R&D, operations, and quality teams.
- Ability and willingness to travel to customer locations and industry events.