Business Development Manager

Skills Alliance; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Skills Alliance is seeking a Business Development Manager with a strong background in thermoplastics and automotive materials to drive growth with OEMs and Tier suppliers. You will identify opportunities, influence material specifications, and commercialise innovative thermoplastic solutions.

Based in Detroit with travel to customer sites, this role partners with engineering, R&D, and materials teams to deliver next-generation automotive applications and shape long-term market strategy in a

Qualifications

• Experience in automotive sector with OEMs and Tier suppliers.
• Strong knowledge of thermoplastics, polymer compounds, or engineered materials.
• Proven BD track record: account growth and new business acquisition.
• Ability to influence material specifications and support commercialisation.

Responsibilities

• Identify and secure new business opportunities with Automotive OEMs and Tier suppliers.
• Influence material specifications and support the commercialisation of thermoplastic solutions.
• Grow strategic accounts and expand market share across the segment.
• Collaborate with engineering, R&D and materials teams to deliver advanced material technologies to customers.

Skills

Automotive BD with OEMs/Tier suppliers

Thermoplastics knowledge

BD, account growth, new business

Influence material specs, commercialis

Cross-functional collaboration (Eng, R

Job description

We are seeking a Business Development Manager with a strong background in thermoplastics, polymer compounds, or engineered materials, combined with proven experience managing and developing relationships with Automotive OEMs and Tier suppliers. You will be responsible for identifying and securing new business opportunities, influencing material specifications, supporting the commercialisation of innovative thermoplastic solutions, and growing strategic accounts across the market. Working closely with engineering, R&D, and materials teams, you will act as a trusted partner to customers, helping deliver cutting-edge material technologies into next-generation automotive applications. This role offers the opportunity to make a significant commercial impact while shaping long-term growth within a leading global thermoplastics business.

Key Skills and Expertise

• Commercial experience within the automotive sector, ideally with OEMs and Tier suppliers
• Technical understanding of thermoplastics, polymer compounds, or engineered materials
• Proven track record in business development, account growth, and new business acquisition
• Ability to influence material specifications and support product commercialisation
• Strong relationship-building skills and experience working with cross-functional teams (engineering, R&D, materials)

Why Join

• Opportunity to make a significant commercial impact in a key growth market
• Play a strategic role in shaping long-term growth within a leading global thermoplastics business
• Work closely with customers on cutting-edge material technologies for next-generation automotive applications
• Collaborative environment with engineering and R&D teams supporting innovation

Location

• The ideal candidate will be located in Detroit, with travel to customer sites and key OEM and Tier supplier locations as required