Market Development Associate - Flooring

AEROFOAM USA LLC • Abbeville, SC

3d • $65,000 - $80,000

About The Position

Hira Industries / Aerofoam USA is expanding its flooring underlayment and gym flooring portfolio across North America. The Market Development Associate will help introduce these products, build new customer and channel relationships, and develop the market. The role works closely with the Vice President of Sales and Business Development, technical teams, and global colleagues, and is intended for an early-career professional who will receive direct coaching, product training, and field support.

The associate will engage architects, engineers, designers, contractors, distributors, and OEMs; support product specifications and opportunities from initial design through purchase; and help develop distribution, contractor, OEM, and private-label partnerships. The position includes product presentations and demonstrations, customer and industry events, market research, and maintaining accurate pipeline information in the company CRM. Travel is approximately 50–60% throughout North America, with additional travel for customer events, training, and trade shows. The posted annual salary range is $65,000–$80,000.

Requirements

• One or more years of experience in business development, sales, customer service, architectural products, construction materials, flooring, manufacturing, or a related field is preferred.
• Confident communication and professional relationship-building skills.
• Proactive, self-motivated approach and comfort initiating conversations and opening doors.
• Strong presentation, organization, follow-up, and problem-solving skills.
• Curiosity and willingness to learn technical products, market applications, and customer needs.
• Ability to translate product features and performance into clear customer value.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and relationships across a large geographic territory.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office and CRM systems.
• Willingness and ability to travel approximately 50–60% throughout North America, with additional travel for customer events, training programs, and trade shows.
• Valid driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, construction management, engineering, architecture, or a related discipline; preferred but not required.
• Experience with flooring, acoustic underlayment, resilient flooring, gym flooring, rubber products, architectural specifications, building materials, or commercial construction.

Responsibilities

• Introduce flooring underlayment and gym flooring solutions to architects, engineers, designers, contractors, distributors, and OEMs.
• Build relationships with organizations and people who influence, specify, purchase, and install flooring products.
• Support product specifications and track opportunities from initial design through bidding, approval, and purchase.
• Identify and develop prospective regional and national distribution partners.
• Create opportunities with flooring contractors, commercial installers, and project stakeholders.
• Identify potential OEM and private-label opportunities and assist with product evaluations, samples, testing, and qualification programs.
• Deliver product presentations and demonstrations with support from company leadership and technical teams.
• Participate in customer meetings, industry events, association programs, training sessions, and trade shows.
• Monitor competitors, pricing, market trends, customer needs, and emerging applications.
• Maintain an organized pipeline and accurate customer, project, and opportunity information in the company CRM.
• Collaborate with sales, marketing, engineering, product management, operations, and global teams to support a North American market launch.

Benefits

• Direct mentorship from the Vice President of Sales and Business Development.
• Comprehensive product training and field experience.
• Exposure to customers and global teams.
• Practical experience in product strategy, specification sales, channel development, OEM partnerships, and market expansion.

What This Job Offers

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