Material Return, LLC
Director of Business Development
Material Return, LLC, Boone, North Carolina, United States, 28607
Base pay range
$68,000.00/yr - $80,000.00/yr
Overview
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.
Primary Function
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.
Essential Functions 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.
Required Experience
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 acumen:
Knowledge of business planning and business financials
Preferred Experience
Industry Knowledge:
1‑5 years textile industry experience preferred; knowledge of or experience working in the textile circular economy a plus
Education:
Degree in Business, Marketing, Textiles or related field preferred
Working Style:
Ability to work autonomously as well as within a team preferred
Data Management:
Information and data management skills preferred
Core Competencies
Interpersonal and client management skills
Business planning and market analysis
Textile industry knowledge
Information and data management
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.
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.
Location This position is based in Morganton, NC.
To Apply The preferred application deadline is Sunday, January 4, 2026. To apply, please upload your resume and respond to the application questions. This search is supported by NRG Consulting Group. Please reach out to megan@nrgconsultinggroup.org and jobs@nrgconsultinggroup.org with any questions.
Seniority level
Director
Employment type
Full‑time
Job function
Business Development, Management, and Strategy/Planning
Industries: Textile Manufacturing and Non‑profit Organizations
#J-18808-Ljbffr
$68,000.00/yr - $80,000.00/yr
Overview
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.
Primary Function
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.
Essential Functions 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.
Required Experience
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 acumen:
Knowledge of business planning and business financials
Preferred Experience
Industry Knowledge:
1‑5 years textile industry experience preferred; knowledge of or experience working in the textile circular economy a plus
Education:
Degree in Business, Marketing, Textiles or related field preferred
Working Style:
Ability to work autonomously as well as within a team preferred
Data Management:
Information and data management skills preferred
Core Competencies
Interpersonal and client management skills
Business planning and market analysis
Textile industry knowledge
Information and data management
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.
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.
Location This position is based in Morganton, NC.
To Apply The preferred application deadline is Sunday, January 4, 2026. To apply, please upload your resume and respond to the application questions. This search is supported by NRG Consulting Group. Please reach out to megan@nrgconsultinggroup.org and jobs@nrgconsultinggroup.org with any questions.
Seniority level
Director
Employment type
Full‑time
Job function
Business Development, Management, and Strategy/Planning
Industries: Textile Manufacturing and Non‑profit Organizations
#J-18808-Ljbffr