Business Development Manager

Viaflex•Sioux Falls, SD

About The Position

Viaflex is seeking a strategic, technically grounded Business Development leader to drive growth in engineered plastic film markets. This role is responsible for identifying, developing, and commercializing new market opportunities while expanding existing business within targeted industries. The ideal candidate combines business development experience with a strong engineering foundation (polymer, chemical, or mechanical) and hands-on experience within plastic film manufacturing, extrusion, or converting environments. This individual must be comfortable engaging both at the customer executive level and in technical discussions regarding materials, processing, and application performance. This position plays a critical role in shaping the division’s long-term growth strategy by bringing products into new markets, developing adjacent applications, and aligning commercial strategy with technical capability.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Polymer Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or related technical discipline required.
Minimum 8 years related experience required; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
8+ years of progressive experience in business development, technical sales, or commercialization within plastic film, flexible packaging, or polymer manufacturing environments.
Demonstrated success developing new markets and launching products into new applications.
Strong understanding of polymer materials, extrusion processes (blown film, cast film), converting, or film performance characteristics.
Experience collaborating cross-functionally between technical and commercial teams.
Strategic thinking and market analysis.
Technical fluency in polymer materials and processing.
Strong financial acumen and pricing strategy development.
Executive-level communication and negotiation skills.
Entrepreneurial mindset with ability to build new growth platforms.
Proficient with computers, including Microsoft Office.
Ability to communicate effectively with team members and leadership staff.

Nice To Haves

Willingness to travel up to 50%.
Strong sales and service skills.
Demonstrated leadership abilities.
Capability to coach, mentor, and empower team members to succeed.
High level of patience and service.
Ability to motivate team members.
Problem-solving abilities.
Ability to identify waste and creatively look for solutions.
Capacity to be flexible and multitask.

Responsibilities

Identify and penetrate new markets aligned with Viaflex’s engineered film capabilities.
Lead commercialization of new and enhanced products from concept through launch.
Develop and execute strategic growth plans aligned with division objectives.
Build and manage high-value customer relationships at technical and executive levels.
Monitor competitive landscape, emerging technologies, and market trends.
Collaborate with engineering, R&D, and operations teams to translate material science and processing capabilities into market-ready solutions.
Provide input into product design, performance specifications, and manufacturability.
Support capital investment decisions including evaluation of new equipment related to growth initiatives.
Develop pricing strategies aligned with value proposition and cost structure.
Prepare financial models and account analyses supporting growth initiatives.
Evaluate partnership, acquisition, or joint development opportunities.
Represent Viaflex at trade shows, industry conferences, and customer technical meetings.
Contribute to long-term strategic planning and annual budgeting processes.
Maintain records on direct reports in relation to attendance and performance.
Demonstrates the Viaflex Team Member Values in their daily actions and encourages their teams to do the same.
Learning, understanding, continuously improving, and promoting the division’s quality management system in accordance with ISO standards.
Develop and execute budgets, strategic plans, policies, procedures, and initiatives.
Identify and solicit potential business that fits the division strategic plan.
Promote and maintain the highest possible business relationships.
Oversee and ensure various programs essential to business development are established and maintained to division standards.
Assist with the evaluation of potential acquisitions or partnerships.