Strategic Business Development Manager — Surface Tech Sales

MKS Instruments; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

MKS Instruments, located in the Minneapolis area, seeks a Manager, Business Development to drive growth across surface finishing, plating processes, chemical technologies, and related applications. This role blends strategic business development with technical product expertise, serving as a commercial and technical resource to customers and internal teams.

You will lead strategic plans, identify opportunities, qualify products, provide technical sales support, and manage relationships with

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Engineering, Materials Science, or related technical field
• 5+ years of experience in business development, technical sales, product management, surface finishing, electroplating, chemical processing, or related markets
• Demonstrated success in business development, sales growth, and customer relationship management
• Strong technical knowledge of surface finishing, plating processes, chemical technologies, and related applications
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, SAP, CRM systems, and other business management tools
• Excellent presentation, communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and project management abilities

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic business plans to grow sales, profitability, and market share within assigned product lines and market segments
• Identify, develop, and secure new business opportunities through customer engagement, market analysis, and strategic relationship management
• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, applicators, industry partners, and decision makers while achieving customer approvals and qualifications for company products and technologies
• Gather and communicate market intelligence, competitive insights, and emerging technology trends to support business strategy and new product development initiatives
• Achieve sales, margin, and profitability objectives through account management, forecasting, product promotion, and strategic sales execution
• Serve as the technical expert for assigned product lines, providing technical sales support, troubleshooting assistance, product recommendations, and resolution of customer process issues
• Conduct customer visits, presentations, technical reviews, and training sessions to strengthen customer relationships and identify growth opportunities
• Prepare technical reports, maintain product documentation, and communicate findings and recommendations to customers and internal stakeholders
• Collaborate closely with Product Marketing, Sales, Technical Service, Product Management, Business Technology Teams (BTTs), and Operations to support business objectives and project execution
• Maintain accurate customer communications, business updates, sales forecasts, visit reports, and opportunity tracking
• Participate in industry trade organizations, conferences, and technical forums to promote MKS technologies and strengthen market presence
• Manage travel and business expenses within approved budgets and perform other related duties as assigned

Skills

Business Development

Technical Sales

Product Management

Surface Finishing

Electroplating

Chemical Processing

MS Office

SAP

CRM Systems

Negotiation

Presentation Skills

Relationship Building

Analytical Thinking

Project Management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in chemistry/engineering/materials science or related field

Tools

SAP

CRM Systems

MS Office

Job description

MKS Instruments, located in the Minneapolis area, seeks a Manager, Business Development to drive growth across surface finishing, plating processes, chemical technologies, and related applications. This role blends strategic business development with technical product expertise, serving as a commercial and technical resource to customers and internal teams.

You will lead strategic plans, identify opportunities, qualify products, provide technical sales support, and manage relationships with