Senior Director of Business Development

Overview: Material Return, a dynamic venture within The Industrial Commons, is at the forefront of the sustainable and circular textile revolution! Centered within the framework of research and development, workforce development, and commercialization, our work in transforming reclaimed textiles into innovative new materials is pioneering the region towards a circular economy. We're passionate about cultivating a vibrant, engaging, and industrious workplace where innovation thrives and creativity flourishes.

Material Return is in search of a Director of Business Development (DBD) to join the team and help take the entity to its next phase of growth, ensuring effective ownership in generating new business opportunities and achieving overall business growth. This role involves understanding our product offerings, analyzing how the market operates to evaluate strategies, and leveraging network, connections, and relationships (current and new) to conduct business growth.

Disciplines in this role include maintaining client relations and manufacturer communication, overseeing business development, and providing recommendations to promote organizational growth and sustainability through various means such as budgeting, marketing, and partnership development. Co-team member oversight is applied to ensure team members’ accountability to work plans and goals.

Additionally, the DBD upholds the relationship between Material Return and The Industrial Commons (TIC), supporting their mission of local wealth creation and cooperative ownership values. Collaborating closely with the leadership of the North Carolina Textile Innovation and Sustainability Engine (NCTISE), Material Return will play a pivotal role in the success of this National Science Foundation (NSF) initiative led by The Industrial Commons. Material Return NSF deliverables include coordinating and managing trials of new materials for manufacturing feasibility, developing sorting and recycling programs, and acting as a resource for partnering entities.

Material Return provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Primary Function:

The Material Return DBD is a full-time, salaried, exempt classification position responsible for co-leading the Material Return team, ensuring effective ownership in generating new business opportunities and achieving overall business growth through understanding our products, analyzing markets, and using networks to expand business. Duties include managing client and manufacturer relations, overseeing business development, and offering growth recommendations through budgeting, marketing, and partnerships. The role also ensures team accountability and supports the mission of The Industrial Commons and its collaboration with NCTISE.

Essential Functions:

Business Development 50%

• Grow new areas of Material Return’s business in market segments, including industrial, circular and engineered textiles. This person will work closely with all areas, including product development, quality, engineering, production, and logistics. The right candidate will have a good technical understanding and be able to match current and future plant capabilities with new and existing customers.
• Build and maintain new sales channels, opportunities, and potential enterprises and help develop and implement sales strategy.
• Assist the development of new products for Material Return clients made from our ecosystem’s waste stream and/or regenerative fibers.
• Assist the Research and Development and Production Teams in strategization of plans.
• Lead marketing and promotion of the service to manufacturers and brands.
• Develop and maintain business plans, strategies and systems for the enterprise.
• Responsible for the financial security and sustainability of Material Return including growing revenue and service streams.
• Manage financial forecasts, contract, and projections and assist with the annual budget process for the enterprise.
• Research customer segments and understand market demand for circular solutions and products.
• Business development including allocating costs to products, developing pricing structures for products and establishing annual and quarterly financial goals and ensuring goals are met.
• Review current resources and participate in the development of new resources and tools

Internal management 25%

• Work in conjunction with Material Return leadership team to provide management, coaching, supervision, and accountability for the team members of Material Return, including development of work plans and setting individual and team goals
• Conduct regular check-ins with team to ensure task are completed and improve the overall and fiscal health of the business
• Ensure the team is adhering to the expectations and requirements as an enterprise of The Industrial Commons.
• Attend at least one board meeting each year to update the Board of Directors on programmatic work.
• Participate in quarterly training/workshops, quarterly check-ins with Co-Directors/ MR Leadership team, monthly staff meetings and weekly team meetings.
• Participate in 360 reviews with colleagues, co-executive directors and employees to ensure the Senior Director of Business Development duties are being fulfilled

External relationship management 25%

• Build and maintain strong relationships with partners, clients, and manufacturers to ensure waste stream pickups drive towards resulting circular markets, and brands are able to incorporate circular materials into their product lines.
• Assist with grant reporting, writing and development as needed.
• Assist with educational programming for plants and workers as needed.
• Participate in meetings and visit with circular economy partners for planning and market development
• Meet with manufacturers, conduct visits and assist with product improvement.
• Serve as the lead contact and coordinator between ally and partner organizations and ensure communication remains consistent, clear and inclusive
• Speak on and promote the organization, its vision and values at events, presentations, conferences, etc.

• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• 5-10 years experience in business development for manufacturing required.
• Degree in business or related field preferred.
• Strong background in purchasing and some established networks in the textile and/or furniture sector.
• Ability to work in a startup environment with evolving technologies and expanding knowledge of sustainability in textiles.
• Strong organizational and problem solving skills.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to convey information to a wide variety of audiences including co-workers, partners, and other community members.
• Ability to work well autonomously as well as within a team environment while achieving a common goal.
• Proven track record in account management, team leadership, and responsiveness to communication.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs.
• Must be able to reach/access products on high shelves.
• Ability to remain in a stationary position with computer work.
• Must be able to move about the office and various warehouse environments to access machinery and products, and to communicate with staff.
• Ability to observe and differentiate between details in materials and supplies.
• Ability to occasionally commute to manufacturing facilities and travel including overnight stays.
• Ability to travel on flights to different locations for sales meetings, trade shows and other industry events.