Business Development Manager – Powersports & Industrial Equipment Applications (Midwest)

DuPont•Fort Madison, IA

17h•Remote

About The Position

Lead new growth for Vespel® across powersports (ATV, UTV, motorcycle, marine, snowmobile) and industrial equipment (construction, ag, off‑highway machinery). This is a highly hunt‑driven role focused on early-stage application development, specification influence, and pipeline creation with OEMs & Tier suppliers. You’ll partner with Sales, TS&D, and Marketing to turn customer performance challenges into scalable, profitable solutions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s in Mechanical, Materials, Chemical Engineering (or related)
7+ years in business development, technical sales, or commercial roles
Experience in application-led, specification-driven selling
Strong communication and relationship-building skills
Ability to operate independently in a team-selling environment
CRM experience (Salesforce preferred)

Nice To Haves

Experience with powersports or industrial OEMs / Tier suppliers
Knowledge of high-performance polymers or precision components
Background in tribology, motion systems, or lightweight materials
Familiarity with platform selling & product cycles

Responsibilities

Identify and develop new applications and platform wins
Build a strong, scalable pipeline across product platforms and model years
Drive long-term growth through specification capture
Translate customer needs (wear, friction, heat, durability, weight) into Vespel® solutions
Target key components: Bushings, bearings, thrust washers, Seals & wear components, Electrical/thermal insulation, Drivetrain & motion-control parts
Track pipeline and forecasting in Salesforce (SFDC)
Build relationships with OEM engineers, sourcing, and program leaders
Engage early in design and validation to influence material selection
Position Vespel® around performance, reliability, and total cost of ownership
Share market insights (platforms, trends, electrification, competitors)
Partner with DuPont reps, distributors, and machining partners
Drive joint customer engagement and opportunity progression
Support design reviews and application workshops
Align with commercial and segment teams on strategy
Partner with TS&D for technical validation
Support Marketing on value propositions and “hunt plays”
Provide pipeline visibility and strategic updates