Business Development Manager

The Business Development Manager will assume a key role in developing, managing and maintaining customer accounts for the company, with the focus in the global supply chain of the lithium-ion battery market. The Business Development Manager will define and implement a commercial strategy with the goal to increase the growth of niobium products sales among selected OEM´s, battery cells, cathode and anode manufacturer accounts.

**Primary Responsibilities**:

- Support business development in its engagement efforts to develop new potential customers for niobium in the market of lithium-ion batteries
- Manage existing customer accounts to maintain high degree of customer satisfaction and company´s business reputation and leadership
- Manage all necessary contract documentation including one-time service agreements, master service agreements, vendor setup documentation, and billing for specified accounts
- Develop forecast models for commodity demand of material components of the battery sector (e.g., Co, Li, Ni, Mn, Al, Cu, Zr, Mo, Ta, W). Build a strong knowledge base of technology and demand trends in the tech metals space to support the best commercial policy for niobium products in this market
- Assist the commercial and market intelligence team with contract pricing, assessing risk and exposure of the company’s products products and tracking the global lithium-ion battery market and related upstream/downstream markets (cobalt, nickel, lithium, molybdenum, zirconium, tungsten, tantalum)
- Support additional Business Development work streams as needed
- Support Executive Manager and team in other work streams as required
- Market analysis, Strategy development and intelligence

**Requirements**:

- University Degree in Business, Economics or Engineering preferred
- 5-7 years of experience in business development and customer management
- 5-7 years of experience in the battery supply chain industry
- Desirable having substantial experience and hands-on skills in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries supply chain mainly related with core materials and metals for lithium-ion batteries including manufacturing steps.
- Good knowledge in cells manufacturing as slurry preparation, electrode deposition, drying, calendaring, slitting will be considered a plus
- Proven experience negotiating and closing supply agreements
- Knowledge of environmental legislation trends and impacts for the energy storage market desirable
- Excellent organizational, strategic, planning and implementing skills
- Excellent presentation and verbal communication skills
- Ability to assign and delegate work, problem solve, answer questions and evaluate results of performance
- High level of critical and logical thinking, analysis, and/or reasoning to identify underlying principles, reasons, or facts
- Ability to follow through and complete overlapping projects
- Able to identify key issues; creatively and strategically overcome internal challenges or obstacles

**Core Competencies**:

- A hands-on leader with a desire to work in a dynamic, mission-driven environment
- High-level of integrity and dependability with a strong sense of urgency and results-orientation
- Proactive self-starter, entrepreneurial, with an 'owner's mindset'
- Consistently delivers quality work on time, with a strong attention to detail
- Strong analytical, negotiation and creative problem-solving skills
- Exceptional oral communication, writing and editing skills
- Motivated, methodical, and optimistic
- Demonstrated interest in cleantech, electric vehicles or renewable energy a plus

**Language Skills**:

- English mandatory
- Spanish and Portuguese to be considered a plus

**Personal Attributes**:

- Strong leadership and management skills
- Excellent analytical ability
- Strong presentation skills
- Clear verbal communication
- Focused strategic planning
- Excellent social and cultural perception
- Team player
- Diplomatic
- Honest, open, and direct
- Self-motivated