Business Development Associate

Element Materials Technology; Flint (MI); On-site; USD 55,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Element Materials Technology in Flint is seeking a Business Development Associate to grow within assigned accounts and establish strong client relationships. You will partner with the sales team, handle inbound/outbound activity, and drive opportunities from qualification to proposal stages.

The role emphasizes relationship-building, customer focus, and an entrepreneurial mindset, with occasional travel and adherence to corporate policies. This is an on-site position in Michigan.

Qualifications

• Approximately 3 years of Business Development, Sales or Account Management experience.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as customer quotes / contracts, marketing materials, and customer testing specifications.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence and speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions and proportions and apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
• Ability to solve practical customer problems and interpret a variety of instructions, data and details furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• A valid driver’s licence, with an acceptable driving record under Element’s policy.
• Experience in interpreting testing procedures and requirements desired.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Applications (Word, Excel)
• Availability, flexibility, and maturity to represent the company at a broad range of events / projects in the community, with customers and within the company.
• Ability to remain calm when faced with mounting pressure related to deadlines and multiple priorities.
• Well-developed oral and written communication skills to meet a variety of communication needs.
• Good interpersonal skills that foster open upward and downward communication built on mutual respect.
• Ability to interface with clients, win new work and determine their requirements; helps develops proposals including cost estimates, work plan and terms and conditions.
• Some overnight travel may be required.

Responsibilities

• Establish and proactively maintain a strong professional relationship with key decision makers and influencers within assigned accounts.
• Identify current and future customer service requirements by establishing personal rapport with potential and actual customers, acting as a liaison between the customers and Element
• Identify opportunities early in the sales cycle to ensure maximum share of wallet for Element
• Qualify opportunities with assistance of inbound team / specialists
• Manage relationships and utilize technical support to assist in Sales
• Follow up in a timely manner on quotations for the assigned customer base
• Actively utilize CRM to record activities, ensuring contact details are accurate, duplicates are removed, new information is added and accurate call / visit logs are entered
• Actively participate in regular pipeline reviews, ensuring all CRM records are up to date and critical success factors are identified for key opportunities
• Achieve sales goals by converting and penetrating accounts
• Build and maintain a working knowledge of Element’s service offerings; participate in training/coaching opportunities
• Ensure compliance with all Element policies including but not limited to terms and conditions, trade compliance, treatment of others, moral code of conduct, and employee handbook
• Ensure adherence to all applicable laws pertaining to safety, environment and corporate governance

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Overview

Element has an opportunity for a Business Development Associate. In this role you will be an inside seller, responsible for establishing and maintaining strong relationships with a defined group of Element clients and prospects.

You will expand business with dormant and existing accounts, provide increased touch points for accounts, and is budget responsible for 200+ growth and retention clients. It will be your responsibility to assure customer satisfaction through all stages of the sales process. In addition to client relations, this role will interact with the broader Element Sales Team, General Manager, and lab/technical personnel. The ideal candidate will be action oriented, customer focused and have an entrepreneurial drive.

Responsibilities

• Establish and proactively maintain a strong professional relationship with key decision makers and influencers within assigned accounts
• Identify current and future customer service requirements by establishing personal rapport with potential and actual customers, acting as a liaison between the customers and Element
• Identify opportunities early in the sales cycle to ensure maximum share of wallet for Element
• Qualify opportunities with assistance of inbound team / specialists
• Manage relationships and utilize technical support to assist in Sales
• Follow up in a timely manner on quotations for the assigned customer base
• Actively utilize CRM to record activities, ensuring contact details are accurate, duplicates are removed, new information is added and accurate call / visit logs are entered
• Actively participate in regular pipeline reviews, ensuring all CRM records are up to date and critical success factors are identified for key opportunities
• Achieve sales goals by converting and penetrating accounts
• Build and maintain a working knowledge of Element’s service offerings; participate in training/coaching opportunities
• Ensure compliance with all Element policies including but not limited to terms and conditions, trade compliance, treatment of others, moral code of conduct, and employee handbook
• Ensure adherence to all applicable laws pertaining to safety, environment and corporate governance

Skills / Qualifications

• Approximately 3 years of Business Development, Sales or Account Management experience
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as customer quotes / contracts, marketing materials, and customer testing specifications
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence and speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions and proportions and apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry
• Ability to solve practical customer problems and interpret a variety of instructions, data and details furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form
• A valid driver’s licence, with an acceptable driving record under Element’s policy
• Experience in interpreting testing procedures and requirements desired
• Proficiency in Microsoft Applications (Word, Excel)
• Availability, flexibility, and maturity to represent the company at a broad range of events / projects in the community, with customers and within the company
• Ability to remain calm when faced with mounting pressure related to deadlines and multiple priorities
• Well-developed oral and written communication skills to meet a variety of communication needs
• Good interpersonal skills that foster open upward and downward communication built on mutual respect
• Ability to interface with clients, win new work and determine their requirements; helps develops proposals including cost estimates, work plan and terms and conditions
• Some overnight travel may be required

Company Overview

Element is one of the fastest growing testing, inspection and certification businesses in the world. Globally we have more than 9,000 brilliant minds operating from 270 sites across 30 countries. Together we share an ambitious purpose to ‘Make tomorrow safer than today’.

When failure in use is not an option, we help customers make certain that their products, materials, processes and services are safe, compliant and fit for purpose. From early R&D, through complex regulatory approvals and into production, our global laboratory network of scientists, engineers, and technologists support customers to achieve assurance over product quality, sustainable outcomes, and market access.

While we are proud of our global reach, working at Element feels like being part of a smaller company. We empower you to take charge of your career, and reward excellence and integrity with growth and development.

Industries across the world depend on our care, attention to detail and the absolute accuracy of our work. The role we have to play in creating a safer world is much bigger than our organization.

Diversity Statement

At Element, we always take pride in putting our people first. We are an equal opportunity employer that recognizes diversity and inclusion as fundamental to our Vision of becoming "the world's most trusted testing partner".

All suitably qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment on the basis of objective work related criteria and without regard for the following: age, disability, ethnic origin, gender, marital status, race, religion, responsibility of dependents, sexual orientation, or gender identity or other characteristics in accordance with the applicable governing laws or other characteristics in accordance with the applicable governing laws.