Elastomers Business Development Manager

Hendrickson • Kendallville, IN

37d • $120,000 - $180,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Hendrickson is searching for a Business Development Manager for their Elastomers Business Group. This individual will provide sales representation for all Hendrickson divisions to assigned Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM’s) for the purpose of mining new business opportunities for all product offerings. They will develop new business that represents significant incremental revenue for all Hendrickson divisions, ensuring that necessary actions are taken to maintain an excellent OEM relationship that fosters revenue growth.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree required
• 10+ years of business development, sales, account management, or product management experience in elastomers, rubber polymers, sealing systems, or related industrial experience is required.
• Demonstrate experience developing and winning new elastomer business with OEM’s, Tier 1 & 2 suppliers, or industrial customers.
• Strong work knowledge of elastomer materials, manufacturing processes, and applications, including the ability to discuss technical solutions with engineering, purchasing, and operations teams.
• Strong organization skills.
• Ability to travel to customers and Hendrickson facilities (35-50%) by car and air.
• Frequent sitting and working at computer for extended periods of time.
• High sales aptitude motivated by new business growth.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent presentation skills.
• Proven ability to rapidly build customer relationships.
• Strong business analytics and negotiation skills.
• Strategic mindset.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with rubber-to-metal bonded products, bushings, mounts, isolators, seals, or vibration management products is preferred.
• Experience with CRM software, Salesforce preferred.

Responsibilities

• Gain new business commitments for all Hendrickson divisions.
• Make frequent sales contact with OEM influencers & decision makers.
• Collaborate with Hendrickson divisional leadership and departments to develop compelling proposals for business growth; gain maximum exposure for proposals at the OEM.
• Participate in sales and marketing events that pertain to the assigned OEM’s, seek out opportunities to proliferate current products to additional models or configurations, grow supplied content and increase market share for existing Hendrickson solutions.
• Confirm OEM timing to set product plans for the coming year; execute product planning meetings at each OEM and ensure new programs are included in the OEM’s plans.
• Collaborate with divisional marketing and field sales to understand information pertinent to the assigned OEM including unmet needs, product gaps, current product performance, and competitive intelligence.
• Participate in select OEM and Hendrickson project meetings where commercial direction or input is required; utilize meetings to mine for information useful to new business pursuits.
• Assure each OEM data book reflects Hendrickson product accurately and most favorably. Resolve any restrictions or errors in a timely manner.
• Provide contact information and reporting relationships for the OEM’s sales organization to Hendrickson Field Sales; supply regular updates on organizational changes at the OEM.
• Represent Hendrickson at industry trade shows, utilizing these events to network with OEM contacts and gain intelligence on competitors, new business proposals or general OEM trends that may impact Hendrickson.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Be the voice of the customer and advocate within Hendrickson.
• Develop and communicate the account strategy with clear direction on what level of support is required by Hendrickson personnel. Update the strategy annually and manage execution.
• Prepare content for OEM business review meetings, communicate Hendrickson’s information and positions during the meetings.
• Build trusting, collaborative relationships with OEM personnel and internally within Hendrickson. Connect OEM and Hendrickson personnel at necessary organizational levels.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of the OEM’s business structure, global footprint and strategy seeking continual alignment between OEM and Hendrickson where possible.
• Participate in the Annual Operating Plan (AOP) process, provide information and input on new product launches, market share targets and any other pertinent planning information.
• Lead the development, negotiation and closure of any commercial agreements or contracts with the customer. Ensure both parties are living up to contractual commitments.
• Understand OEM supplier metrics and clearly communicate requirements to Hendrickson divisions. Assist in the resolution of disputes as needed.
• Connect the appropriate divisional personnel with the corresponding OEM contacts (pricing, accounts receivable, quality, customer service, engineering, program management, etc.).
• Lead the price quotation pipeline for all elastomer customers, driving alignment, visibility, and timely execution across opportunities regardless of assigned sales ownership.
• Engage in the escalation of issues if divisional personnel are unable to resolve.
• Communicate and coordinate resolution of plant concerns with OEM material management functions.
• Support timely resolution of price file implementation and/or collections issues, including, but not limited to price increases and tariff recovery.
• Update sales opportunity pipeline in Salesforce every week.
• Provide a monthly report on sales opportunity efforts, open issues, and OEM metrics.
• Obtain and report information which is important for maintaining and developing business opportunities with OEM’s including: OEM organization structure and personnel, business strategy, dealer/customer shipment data, utilization and pricing of competitive products, new product development, vehicle model changes, product planning cycles, and aftermarket strategies.
• Provide input for sales forecasting process including sales forecast by OEM, production line rates, product mix, plant shutdowns, etc.
• Responsible for managing budget within assigned limits & issuing timely expense reports.

Benefits

• Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior