Strategic Business Development Manager

Nanophase Technologies; Bolingbrook (IL); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Solésence Beauty Science is seeking a Strategic Business Development Manager to identify and grow brand partnership opportunities that leverage Turnkey development and brand-supplied sourcing.

You will own strategic accounts from initial engagement through long-term growth, coordinating with R&D, Regulatory, Quality, and Operations to deliver fast, cost-effective product development for partner brands across the US market.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in beauty/personal care or FDA-regulated industry.
• Experience in Turnkey product development or strategic account management.
• Strong analytical and communication skills; able to present to leadership.

Responsibilities

• Develop understanding of Solesence's business model and value proposition relative to competitors.
• Identify and qualify new brand partnership opportunities and build tactical plans.
• Lead Turnkey development engagements from concept through formulation, regulatory review, and launch.
• Own strategic accounts and manage pipeline, negotiation, renewal, and cross-functional coordination.
• Identify and present new development programs and milestones to leadership.
• Serve as liaison between brand partners and internal departments across market segments.
• Drive retention and expansion strategies for existing accounts.

Skills

Business development

Strategic partnerships

Turnkey product development

Account management

Market analysis

CRM tools

Education

Bachelor's degree

Science or business field

Tools

CRM software

MS Office

Job description

Strategic Business Development Manager

Department: Commercial / Brand Partnerships; Status: Full Time Salary; Location: Remote / Hybrid Work Schedule; Last date revised: August 2026

ABOUT US

We are a rapidly growing company named Fast Company's #2 Most Innovative Beauty Company for 2023. Our mission is to enhance lives through healthy skin, partnering with beauty brands to develop and manufacture products that promote skin health for all. We believe the future of sun care is the future of beauty™.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Strategic Business Development Manager is responsible for identifying, developing, and growing strategic brand partnership relationships that integrate Solesence's manufacturing capabilities, formulation expertise, and Turnkey product development model into attractive market opportunities — delivering brand partners a cost-effective, speed-to-market competitive advantage. This role owns new business development across both Turnkey and Brand Supplied sourcing paths, and manages a portfolio of strategic accounts from initial engagement through long-term growth. The Strategic Business Development Manager reports to the Vice President, Brand Partnerships.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop a clear, working understanding of Solesence's business model, manufacturing capabilities, and Turnkey development process, and articulate Solesence's value proposition relative to competitors.
• Through in-depth market and customer analysis, identify and qualify new brand partnership opportunities — across both Turnkey and Brand Supplied sourcing paths — and build tactical plans to pursue priority accounts and applications.
• Lead Turnkey development engagements from concept through formulation, regulatory review, and launch, defining critical path and milestones and coordinating closely with R&D, Regulatory, Quality, and Operations to keep programs on track.
• Own strategic account relationships for an assigned portfolio of brand partners — serving as the primary point of contact for pipeline management, contract negotiation, renewal, and cross-functional coordination.
• Identify and present new development programs, including critical path and key milestones, to relevant internal functions and leadership.
• Serve as the key liaison between brand partners and Solesence's internal departments (R&D, Operations, Regulatory, Quality) within identified market segments.
• Drive retention and expansion strategies for existing strategic accounts to grow share of wallet and deepen long-term partnerships.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsive to brand partners' needs; follows through on all requests, written and verbal.
• Attends trade shows and industry conferences, both educational and customer-facing.
• Implements recommendations from the strategic commercial / marketing plan.
• Assists in developing business plans for new Turnkey product development initiatives.
• Able to assess abstract opportunities and build structured plans for implementing growth strategies.
• Proactively generates new business opportunities through calls, email, mailings, and industry outreach to prospective and existing brand partners.
• Manages strategic accounts across a diversified brand partner portfolio.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Strong background in beauty, personal care, or CPG business development; working knowledge of the contract manufacturing / Turnkey model strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in Turnkey product development (concept-to-launch) and/or strategic account management.
• Strong intellectual and analytical ability; skilled at evaluating market and customer information.
• Minimum of five years of business experience, ideally in product development, account management, or business development within the beauty, personal care, or FDA-regulated OTC products industry.
• Experience in both large and small company environments preferred.
• Hands-on, can-do attitude.
• Ability to identify, organize, and lead key alliances and development partnerships.
• Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills.
• Background in specialty chemicals, cosmetics, or personal care formulation is a plus.

KEY CHARACTER TRAITS

• Proficient with MS Office and CRM / pipeline management tools; comfortable with standard business technology systems.
• Strong problem-solving skills; able to manage detail across multiple concurrent Turnkey programs and strategic accounts simultaneously.
• Proficient communicator and listener; able to translate brand partner needs into internal action.
• Works independently while collaborating effectively within a cross-functional team environment.
• Proactively seeks assistance when needed to meet deadlines and keep programs moving

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Science, chemistry, or business-related field preferred.
• Minimum 5–7 years of experience in the beauty, personal care, or a related regulated industry.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Primarily sedentary work performed in an office environment, including extended periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Frequent walking and standing required when working on the production floor, attending meetings, or engaging with customers.
• Exposure to manufacturing environments, which may include noise, dust, temperature variations, and the need to wear personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Ability to lift and carry materials such as files, laptops, or lab equipment weighing up to 40 pounds.
• Occasional travel between manufacturing sites or to attend off-site meetings, trainings, or conferences. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYER

Solésence Beauty Science is an Equal Employment Opportunity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital or parental status, protected veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law. The compensation offered will be determined by factors such as level, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Under the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) of 1986, employers must verify both the identity and employment authorization of every employee. Therefore, employees and applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for sponsorship. While our current hiring plans do not include sponsorship, we remain open to evaluating individual circumstances based on company needs and future opportunities.