TIC Coatings Business Development Manager (Testing, Inspection and Certification)

Element Materials Technology; Netherlands; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Element Materials Technology is seeking a Business Development Manager Coatings in the Netherlands to grow the customer base and enhance market share in coating testing, inspection, and certification services. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience in sales, particularly in the TIC sector, with a strong focus on relationship management and consultative selling. This role involves developing sales strategies, managing customer relationships, and leading a sales team, emphasizing technical understanding and commercial acumen.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive sales experience, including senior leadership roles.
• Proven experience in the TIC sector or closely related technical services industry.
• Strong track record of meeting or exceeding revenue and growth targets.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute regional or global sales strategies aligned with company growth objectives.
• Identify and pursue new market opportunities across TIC service lines.
• Build strong relationships with customer decision-makers and regulators.

Skills

Sales strategy development

Relationship management

Negotiation skills

Technical understanding

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Science, or related field

Job description

Element has an opportunity for a Business Development Manager Coatings. Our Business Development Managers (BDMs) are field-based sales professionals responsible for growing Element's customer base and increasing share of wallet across assigned accounts. This is a pure sales role, with a strong focus on in-person customer engagement, account development, and revenue generation.

BDMs manage a defined portfolio of customers and prospects, regularly travelling to meet face-to-face, often with occasional overnight stays. They also support Strategic and Key Account activities, helping to shape long-term customer relationships and commercial outcomes

This role is responsible for driving business development activities across the Coatings Value Stream, with a focus on expanding Element’s capabilities and market share in coating testing, inspection, and certification services.

The position requires a strong combination of commercial drive and technical understanding, enabling the identification, development, and conversion of opportunities across laboratory testing, inspection, and qualification programs.

Key Responsibilities

Sales Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and execute regional or global sales strategies aligned with company growth objectives
• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of sales managers and account executives
• Set sales targets, KPIs, and performance metrics; monitor progress and implement corrective actions
• Build a high-performance sales culture focused on consultative selling and long-term partnerships

Business Development & Market Growth

• Identify and pursue new market opportunities across TIC service lines (testing, inspection, certification, audits, advisory)
• Expand presence in key industries (e.g., manufacturing, energy, construction, aerospace, automotive, consumer products, environmental)
• Drive penetration of strategic accounts and multi-site/global customer agreements
• Lead major bids, RFP responses, and contract negotiations

Customer & Relationship Management

• Serve as executive sponsor for key and global accounts
• Build strong relationships with customer decision-makers, regulators, and industry stakeholders
• Ensure customer needs are translated into scalable, compliant service solutions
• Maintain high customer satisfaction, retention, and account growth

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with operations and technical leadership to ensure service feasibility, pricing accuracy, and delivery excellence
• Collaborate with marketing on value propositions, branding, and lead-generation initiatives
• Work with finance on pricing models, margins, forecasting, and revenue planning
• Support M&A integration and commercial due diligence when applicable
• Monitor market trends, competitor activity, regulatory changes, and emerging standards
• Ensure all sales activities comply with accreditation, independence, and ethical requirements of the TIC industry
• Provide leadership with insights on pricing, service innovation, and portfolio optimization

Qualifications & Experience

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Science, or related field
• 10+ years of progressive sales experience, including senior leadership roles
• Proven experience in the TIC sector or closely related technical services industry
• Strong track record of meeting or exceeding revenue and growth targets
• Experience managing complex, technical, and regulated sales cycles

Preferred

• Master’s degree (MBA or technical discipline)
• Experience with global or multi-site accounts
• Familiarity with ISO standards, accreditation bodies, and regulatory frameworks
• Background in industrial, environmental, or product conformity services
• Strategic thinking and commercial acumen
• Strong leadership and people-management skills
• Consultative, solution-based selling approach
• Excellent negotiation and executive-level communication skills
• Ability to balance growth objectives with compliance and quality requirements