Market Development Associate- West Coast

Job Summary:  

The Market Development Associate at Adhesives Research assists in driving technological advancement through identifying and evaluating new market opportunities for the Innovation team to develop tape and adhesive solutions. This external-facing role is the technical bridge between Sales, Marketing, Innovation and external customers, supporting engagement to accelerate product development and ultimately revenue growth. By leveraging market insights and technical expertise, this position will help expand the company’s portfolio in applications primarily in the medical devices/healthcare and electronics sectors.

Essential Functions:

• Engage proactively with customers and leads, primarily via face-to-face interactions, to identify new business opportunities, understand evolving needs, deliver effective solutions, and seek feedback in a timely manner.
• Understand customer requirements and capabilities to identify best solutions and provide technical details within Adhesives Research’s portfolio and/or capabilities, including promotion of new products and technologies to the marketplace.
• Foster relationships with key external stakeholders, such as customers, suppliers, and industry associations, to enhance Adhesives Research’s market intelligence and collaboration opportunities.  
• Monitor market trends and dynamics through customer relationships to identify emerging trends, customer needs, and competitive landscapes and provide feedback to internal teams.
• Develops and maintains a market opportunity pipeline (utilizing AR’s CRM system), prioritizing projects that align with Adhesives Research’s technical capabilities and strategic business goals through creation of Technical Service Requests and Product Development Requests.   
• Fulfills CRM requirements with call report generation, opportunity input, and pipeline management.
• Collaborates with customers, industry partners, and internal teams to uncover unmet needs and translate them into viable opportunities for new adhesive/tape products or technologies.  
• Work with the Innovation team to define technical requirements and feasibility for new product concepts, ensuring they meet market demands and regulatory standards.  
• Support the Innovation team in securing funding for innovative projects through Statements of Work (SOWs) by identifying relevant opportunities at customers.
• Routinely interface with other members of the Sales and Innovation teams and the internal organization to exchange information and ensure that customers receive excellent customer service.
• Interfaces with customers on new product applications and networks externally to ensure highest level of competence is maintained.
• Participate in industry events, trade shows, and technical conferences to represent Adhesives Research.
• Actively complies with and endorses Department and Company objectives.
• The primary focal point of this position is to support new business development in the Western Region of North America.

Additional Responsibilities:

Job Specifications:

• Technical degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, Materials Science, or related field, and/or significant industrial experience.  BS level or above. 
• Minimum of 3 years’ industry experience in a technical role; previous experience with adhesives preferred.
• Understanding of adhesive chemistries, coating technologies, and tape construction.
• Must possess technical knowledge to be able to fully comprehend the customer’s requirements and provide the appropriate product solution.
• Demonstrated technology and/or product development capability. Experience with Stage Gate processes and knowledge to move projects through the pipeline with discipline, efficiency, and accountability preferred.
• Solid knowledge of marketing and project management; capable of independently developing and maintaining customer relationships. Previous experience working with a CRM platform would be an advantage.
• Must communicate fluently in English.
• Proven ability to communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Excellent presentation, written communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Knowledge of computers & related word processing, spreadsheet & e-mail software – Microsoft preferred.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of AR information.
• Fully remote eligible (Job duties allow for remote work but require travel to Glen Rock office at least every quarter).
• Travel may include a minimum of 50% domestic and/or international travel.