Business Development Manager - FLOORING - Continuous Learning Opportunities

Job Opportunity: Business Development Manager

About the Company:

The company is dedicated to expanding their presence among flooring importers, distributors, and retailers. The company believes in the importance of increasing connections with key industry players, as many remain unaware of the company’s cutting-edge technologies. We are now seeking a dynamic and proactive Business Development Manager to join the team and drive this expansion.

Position Purpose:

As a Business Development Manager, you will play a pivotal role in creating a "pull effect" within the flooring industry by focusing on the following key areas:

• Educate Decision Makers: Develop and execute strategies to educate decision-makers at importers, distributors, and retailers in the US and Canada about the company’s flooring technologies.
• Formulate Value Proposition: Assist in crafting compelling value propositions and training materials tailored to this market segment.
• Gather Market Intelligence: Learn from importers and retailers about the technologies and practices they favor, pricing trends, and quality concerns, thus enabling the company to adapt our approach effectively.
• Support Matchmaking: Facilitate the connection between importers/distributors and manufacturers outside the US, forging direct relationships to promote the company technologies more effectively.
• Identify Licensees: Identify new potential licensees by understanding importers' and retailers' interests in incorporating the company’s technologies into their product portfolios.
• Engage with Influencers: Connect with relevant industry influencers and organizations, such as flooring and installation associations, to raise awareness about the company’s technologies.
• Support Key Account Manager: Collaborate with Key Account Managers and serve as a bridge between their US operations in nurturing existing licensee relationships.
• Market Trend Analysis: Stay updated on market trends and opportunities in the US market and communicate findings to company headquarters

Key Success Factors:

The success in this role depends on:

• An understanding of the flooring technologies and industry dynamics.
• Exceptional networking and relationship-building skills.
• A proactive and self-motivated personality with a strong drive to achieve results.
• Flexibility to travel (mainly domestically once a month) and an ability to clearly document and communicate your actions.

Responsibilities:

• Cultivate relationships with importers, distributors, and retailers in the flooring industry in North America and Canada.
• Develop direct connections with key industry players to drive adoption of company’s technologies into their products.
• Educate decision-makers on the company’s flooring technologies
• Extend knowledge about the company’s technologies to stakeholders in the industry, including flooring and installation organizations, machine and tool suppliers.
• Promote our service center, network, and preferred suppliers to offer a range of solutions to potential customers.
• Facilitate matchmaking between our preferred suppliers and importers/retailers.
• Collaborate with our Asian sales and tech teams to ensure effective communication and information sharing.
• Establish close connections with the industry through customer visits and participation in trade shows.
• Collect and report market data and information to drive strategic decision-making.
• Contribute to marketing and PR activities.
• Participate in national and international fairs, exhibitions, and sales meetings.
• Identify potential licensees based on the feedback and interest of importers and retailers.

Qualifications:

• Ideally, a track record of commercial and sales experience in the flooring industry.
• Comprehensive understanding of flooring installation processes.
• Strong technical knowledge of flooring materials and technologies.
• Exceptional communication, persistence, and discipline in follow-up.
• Entrepreneurial mindset, excellent networking skills, and a focus on value creation for customers.
• Strong interpersonal skills, independent work capabilities, and excellent planning skills.
• Proficiency in written and verbal English communication, with a high level of IT literacy.
• Knowledge of patent law, intellectual property, and licensing is a plus.