Business development manager in chemistry
Other denominations
Business unit manager; New business manager; Market development manager.
Description
The emergence of new technologies and the manufacture of increasingly sophisticated chemical specialities has given rise to an increase in costs which must be redirected via external partnerships in order to ensure that the company remains competitive. The business development manager is the person in charge of assessing company needs and looking for partnerships needed to improve or consolidate its position in the market. The purpose of such alliances may be to expand the the product range, to share technology, enter new sectors or open new markets; these include licensing agreements, R&D and technological partnership agreements, mergers and acquisitions. Activities include attending meetings, contacting companies, consultancies, public institutions and professional associations, managing new product development from the conceptual stages through to their sale, drawing up reports, carrying out research and maintaining a thorough knowledge of the market and movements of the competition. This professional reports directly to the general management, the sales department or the business development department and needs support from staff from other departments such as production, marketing, logistics or finance. In certain cases, this function is carried out by a business analyst from a consultancy offering outsourced services to companies.
Tasks
- Identify and assess new business opportunities.
Have an in-depth knowledge of the market in all its aspects: customer base, competition, prices and novelties in the field.
Search for and produce information by reading references, attending science conferences and events and liaising with opinion leaders and Scientific Societies.
Identify target markets and customers, draw up product development proposals and present and negotiate offers.
Survey, identify and recommend new products and technologies to help the company grow and innovate.
Negotiate contracts and partnership agreements with other companies or research centres to ensure access to new technologies or to develop new products.
Draw up strategies to attract venture capital.
Acquire the necessary licences for the business or sell own patent licenses which are no longer useful for the company. - Draw up forecasts, implement and monitor sales plans to ensure that financial targets are met.
Seek to achieve corporate product sales targets in assigned markets.
Design, implement and execute business plans aimed at attracting key accounts, including the identification of business opportunities through new market analysis.
Define the annual business plan applicable to his/her markets.
Visit potential or existing customers as much as possible, previously arranging appointments or other promotional activities by telephone.
Understand customers needs, the structure of their business and decision-making processes.
Monitor work activities, keeping a record of contacts.
Respond to competitive threats and opportunities.
Coordinate his/her activities with those of other company departments and divisions, integrating product development activities with marketing and manufacturing. - Draw up policies and manage programmes to promote the company business.
Boost the corporate image of the company and provide a strategy which adds value to major projects.
Represent the company both internally and externally, in local and international meetings and conferences.
Share message, news and information that allow the appropriate positioning of the company in the market.
Develop the brand identity of the products.
Answer questions from the business community and the public with regard to development opportunities.
Add to the positive perception of the company by becoming a member of professional associations in the sector and attending trade fairs, seminars, training sessions, etc.
