Material Return - Director of Business Development

Material Return - Director of Business Development

Material Return, a dynamic enterprise 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.

The Material Return DBD is a full‑time, salaried, exempt classification position responsible for generating new business opportunities and achieving overall business growth through understanding our capabilities, analyzing markets, and engaging new and potential clients to expand business. Duties include managing client relations, overseeing business development, and securing new clients for the business that drive sustainable revenue streams.

Interpersonal and client management skills, business planning and market analysis, partnership development, strong communication skills, textile industry knowledge, information and data management, and a basic understanding of business financials.

Business Development (80%)

• 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 and business opportunities to develop a pipeline of potential clients.
• Define target markets, generate leads, conduct outreach to leads and maintain consistent follow up and communication with leads to convert leads into sales.
• Ensure the development of new products for Material Return clients by coordinating with the production team to schedule trials in an efficient manner.
• Coordinate communication between clients and MR’s R&D team to discuss and facilitate product improvement during the R&D/trial phase.
• Lead all marketing and promotion efforts of Material Return’s capabilities to brands including partnering with TIC’s communications team on marketing collateral, social media, website, etc.
• Develop and maintain the business plan for MR, defining appropriate segments of business, revenue streams, sales channels and target clients.
• Manage the client acquisition process from lead generation to contract procurement.
• Assist in the development of financial forecasts, projections and the annual budget.
• Research customer segments and understand market demand for circular solutions and products.
• Develop pricing structures for new products including allocating costs to products.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients.

Internal and External Operations (20%)

• Report to Material Return leadership via regular check‑ins, work plans, quarterly and annual evaluations and by setting and completing individual and team goals.
• Manage Material Return’s CRM to track all projects, clients and current deal statuses.
• Establish annual and quarterly financial goals with MR leadership and ensure goals are met.
• Participate in any training/workshops, staff meetings or other required events with the TIC ecosystem as required by MR leadership.
• Assist with grant reporting, writing and development as needed.
• Participate in events, speaking engagements, conferences, tours, meetings and visits with clients, groups and circular economy partners as needed.
• Learn current systems, resources and tools and participate in the development of new systems, resources and tools.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Business development experience, with a background in client management and sales: 3‑7 years experience required.
• Client relationship management:
  Demonstrated ability to manage client relationships.
• Market analysis:
  Ability to analyze markets and determine appropriate lines of business.
• Financial…