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
• Leverage and expand existing contact bases to develop new customers that could apply niobium compounds for lithium-ion batteries. This includes researching and engaging with organizations to develop additional leads for prospective customers, including but not limited to electric vehicle manufacturers, lithium-ion battery manufacturers, cathode and anode manufacturers, energy storage developers, electronic system integration manufacturers and material recyclers
• 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