Business Development Manager, Coatings & Lubricants

In business since 1935, Daubert Chemical Company is a profitable, family-owned specialty chemical manufacturer and a market leader in the brands that we sell to our end users and distributors. We are seeking an experienced Business Development Manager for our Industrial Coatings and Lubricants division.   The Business Development Manager’s role is to accelerate growth within targeted industrial markets. This remote position will focus on expanding our presence in key sectors through strategic new business development, distributor engagement, and cross-functional collaboration.

The ideal candidate is a motivated self-starter who combines technical acumen with proven commercial experience in coatings and lubricants. Ideally, a technical background in the application of the product is highly preferred.  

The position includes regular travel across the Midwest and East Coast, with an average of 30% annually. Candidates located in or near these regions are preferred, though all qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Business Development & Account Growth

• Identify, develop, and secure new business opportunities among distributors in the industrial coatings and lubricants sectors. 
• Strengthen relationships with existing customers and distributors to grow share of wallet and long-term partnerships.
• Collaborate with internal technical, marketing, and operations teams to develop and execute sales and marketing plans for industrial coatings and lubricants.
• Support distributors with go-to-market planning, product positioning, and marketing collateral.
• Manage pipeline and activity tracking through Salesforce CRM; maintain accurate records and generate monthly performance dashboards.
• Analyze market performance, past campaigns, and competitive dynamics to inform strategic initiatives.
• Respond promptly to customer inquiries and ensure superior service and responsiveness.

Market Intelligence & Technical Competency

• Monitor market trends, customer needs, and competitor activity in target sectors; communicate insights and recommendations to management.
• Deliver product and application training for distributors and sales teams to drive technical proficiency in the use and application of the product lines.
• Develop and distribute application concepts and value propositions highlighting Daubert’s differentiators in the market.

Product & Portfolio Development

• Partner with R&D and marketing teams to define and develop new product opportunities aligned with Daubert’s technical capabilities and market needs.
• Prepare business cases and project requests for new research initiatives.
• Coordinate commercialization and launch activities for new products.
• Ensure consistent communication with all stakeholders on project progress and product rollouts.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree required; technical or business major strongly preferred. A combination of education and relevant advanced experience may be considered.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in business development or technical sales within coatings and/or lubricants.
• Experience working directly with OEMs and industrial distributors is highly preferred.

SKIILS and ABILITIES

• Strong organizational and time management skills; thrives in a remote, self-directed environment.
• Proven ability to identify, develop, and close new business opportunities.
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Proficient in Salesforce CRM and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Strong analytical ability and business acumen to interpret data and drive decisions.
• Professional communication and relationship-building skills across all organizational levels.
• Multilingual proficiency is a plus
• High standard of professionalism and ethics.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Base salary range $95-130K; plus eligible commissions. Top performers in similar roles have historically earned total annual compensation in the $150,000–$170,000 range. Actual earnings vary based on performance, customer growth, and market conditions, and are not guaranteed. 
• BCBS of Illinois Medical & Dental and Vision Service Plan. 
• 401(k) Savings Plan + generous Company Match
• Holidays and paid time off
• Disability, Family, & Military Leave
• Life Insurance, Identity Protection and more!

This remote, work-from-home role includes regular travel. The position requires the ability to communicate verbally, sit and walk for extended periods, and occasionally stand, reach, bend, or use hands to handle materials. The employee must be able to lift and move up to 25 pounds as needed. Vision requirements include close and distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.