Material Return - Business Development Manager

Material Return

Business Development Manager

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.

Material Return is in search of a Business Development Manager to join the team and help take the entity to its next phase of growth, ensuring effective ownership in generating new business opportunities and achieving overall business growth. This role is focused on increasing revenue and driving business growth. It involves understanding our R&D and production capabilities and analyzing markets to evaluate the best lines of business for MR; engaging new potential clients and managing their projects through the R&D phase and into scaled production; and consistently communicating with existing clients to maintain strong relationships and expand business opportunities.

Primary Function :

The Material Return Business Development Manager 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.
• Develop and maintain 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/trail phase
• Collaborate with TIC’s communications team to ensure Material Return’s capabilities are effectively marketed to brands through collateral, digital channels, and the website.
• 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.
• 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+ 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+ 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
• Communication Skills: Strong communication skills 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
• Partnership development
• Strong communication skills
• Textile industry knowledge
• Information and data management
• Financial Acumen

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. Relocation package available.

Salary :

The salary range for this position i s $68,000-$73,000, plus benefits.

To Apply :

The preferred application deadline is Friday, January 9, 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 [email protected] and [email protected] with any questions.