Business Development Manager & Marketing Manager

Synthomer is a leading supplier of high-performance, highly specialised polymers and ingredients that play vital roles in key sectors such as coatings, construction, adhesives, and health and protection – growing markets that serve billions of end users worldwide. Headquartered in London, UK and publicly listed there since 1971, we employ c.3,500 employees across our 5 innovation centres of excellence and more than 28 manufacturing sites across Europe, North America and Asia. Around 20% of our sales volumes are from new and patent protected products.

At our innovation centres of excellence in the UK, Germany, China, Malaysia and Ohio, USA we collaborate closely with our customers to develop new products and enhance existing ones tailored to their needs, with an increasing range of sustainability benefits. Since 2021, we have been proud holders of the London Stock Exchange Green Economy Mark, which recognises green technology businesses making a significant contribution to a more sustainable, low-carbon economy.

This is an exciting opportunity for a science or engineering candidate who is interested in developing a career at the intersection of technology, innovation, marketing and business development.

Reporting to the Global Technical Manager, you will gain hands-on experience supporting key business initiatives while developing the commercial and technical skills needed for a successful career within a leading specialty chemicals company.

What You'll Be Doing

Business Development & Growth

• Support the identification and evaluation of new business opportunities across global markets
• Assist with growth projects aimed at expanding applications, customer segments and market opportunities
• Work with commercial teams to understand customer requirements and emerging industry trends
• Build relationships with colleagues, customers and industry partners to support business development activities
• Help prepare business cases and recommendations for new growth opportunities

Innovation & Strategic Projects

• Support the Vinyl Polymers innovation pipeline by researching new technologies, applications and market trends
• Assist in the coordination of new product development and growth projects
• Work with Commercial, R&D, Technical Service, Operations and Supply Chain teams to support project delivery
• Participate in Stage-Gate innovation projects and learn how new products move from concept to commercialisation

Marketing & Market Intelligence

• Conduct market research on customers, competitors, technologies and industry trends
• Support marketing campaigns, conference activities and customer engagement initiatives
• Assist with the development of technical and promotional material
• Analyse market and business data to identify opportunities and provide actionable insights
• Help maintain market intelligence reports to support strategic decision-making

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Work closely with colleagues across multiple business functions and region
• Prepare presentations and reports for internal stakeholders
• Participate in customer meetings, industry events and project review sessions
• Support compliance with all SHE, regulatory and business requirements

What We're Looking For

• Degree qualified in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Science or a related STEM discipline
• Minimum of 12 months work experience within business development, marketing, innovation or commercial

• Curious and proactive mindset with a desire to learn about global markets and customer needs

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Comfortable analysing data and drawing meaningful conclusions
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities
• Collaborative approach with the ability to work effectively across technical and commercial teams
• Willingness to travel internationally and engage with customers and colleagues across different regions

What You'll Gain

• Exposure to global customers, markets and innovation projects.
• Opportunities to develop commercial, marketing and project management expertise
• Experience working across R&D, Technical Service, Operations and Commercial functions
• International exposure within a leading specialty chemicals business

Why Join Synthomer?

This is a unique opportunity to begin your career in a role that combines science, technology and business. You will gain broad exposure to global markets, customers and innovation projects while developing the skills and experience needed to become a future commercial leader within Synthomer.

Location

Ideal locations UK/US

Global Benefits Overview

• Competitive, market-aligned compensation

• Discretionary global bonus scheme

• Discretionary Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) – for senior positions

• 🚗 Company car or car allowance – varies by region and role

• 🩺 Healthcare – tailored to regional locations

• Parental leave and family support – maternity, paternity, adoption (aligned with regional policies)

• Working options – flexibility where it matters, based on role and business needs

• Learning & development opportunities – training, online platforms, buddy/mentorship programs, Internal Synthomer University with L&D offers

• Wellbeing support – employee assistance program (EAP), mental health resources, wellbeing initiatives

• Retirement / pension contributions – plans vary by country

• 🤝 Culture of Inclusion – where everyone can thrive

• Performance culture, global reward & recognition programmes

Summary

• Location: UK Harlow; US OH Beachwood
• Type: Full time