Business Development Specialist

At Dow, we believe in putting people first and we’re passionate about delivering integrity, respect and safety to our customers, our employees and the planet.

Our people are at the heart of our solutions. They reflect the communities we live in and the world where we do business. Their diversity is our strength. We’re a community of relentless problem solvers that offers the daily opportunity to contribute with your perspective, transform industries and shape the future. Our purpose is simple - to deliver a sustainable future for the world through science and collaboration. If you’re looking for a challenge and meaningful role, you’re in the right place.

About you and this role

Are you energized by finding new business opportunities, opening doors with prospective customers and turning customer challenges into profitable growth?

As a Business Development Specialist, you will join Dow’s business serving the packaging, coatings and performance chemicals markets, where understanding evolving customer and market needs creates opportunities for differentiated solutions and new product development.

Primarily located in Milan, Italy, with additional location options in Antwerp or Seneffe, Belgium; and Terneuzen, the Netherlands you will combine active business development with growing and strengthening an existing customer portfolio. You will identify prospects, build new relationships, uncover unmet needs and lead opportunities toward commercialization while collaborating across functions to deliver excellent customer experiences.

Responsibilities

• Identify and develop new business opportunities through structured prospecting, market mapping, lead generation and engagement with prospective customers
• Build and manage a healthy opportunity pipeline, qualifying and prioritizing opportunities based on customer needs and business potential
• Grow the customer portfolio and Dow presence by developing existing accounts, expanding customer networks and identifying new customers, applications and product development opportunities
• Advance opportunities through the sales process, from initial customer engagement and needs identification to commercial negotiation, closure and implementation
• Execute sales plans aligned with marketing plans, deliver volume and value objectives, develop sales forecasts with production and supply chain, and use market intelligence to inform commercial and new product decisions
• Lead negotiations and implement pricing and other commercial approaches, including contracts, rebates, innovation and new product introductions, aligned with business goals, legal requirements, customs regulations and Dow sales processes

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Biology, Business Administration or another relevant discipline

• Relevant experience in a customer-facing commercial or technical role, such as Sales, Business Development, Marketing, Application Development or Technical Service

• Demonstrated ability to build and manage customer relationships and deliver commercial results

• Experience developing sales plans, managing opportunities and conducting commercial negotiations

• Experience in specialty chemicals, silicones, coatings, industrial or consumer solutions or adjacent markets is preferred

• Fluency in English and willingness and ability to travel based on business and customer needs

• Additional European language skills, particularly German, are an advantage but not a requirement

Your Skills

• Business Development – You identify prospects and unmet customer needs and translate them into actionable opportunities that can progress toward commercialization
• Prospecting & Opportunity Management – You use structured prospecting, market mapping and lead generation to build, qualify, prioritize and advance a healthy opportunity pipeline
• Business Acumen – You understand customer economics, market dynamics, competitive developments and sources of growth to support commercial decisions
• Customer Relationship Management – You build strong customer relationships and expand your network across different levels within customer organizations
• Commercial Communication & Influence – You communicate, present, negotiate and influence effectively while collaborating across functions, businesses, cultures and geographies

Additional information

• Relocation, visa, and immigration assistance are not available for this position.
• Please provide your application in English.

Pay Transparency Verbiage

The below salary range is specific to this role in the following location: Milan, Italy.

Annualized: 42.280 – 75.040 EUR

This role may be based in multiple locations; salary ranges may vary by location or country to ensure market relevance.

Final pay is determined with consideration of relevant experience, depth of expertise, and skills. Where required by law, alternate location-specific ranges will be communicated prior to the interview.

Benefits – What Dow offers you

We invest in you.

Dow invests in total rewards programs to help you manage all aspects of you: your pay, your health, your life, your future, and your career. You bring your background, talent, and perspective to work every day. Dow rewards that commitment by investing in your total wellbeing.

Here are just a few highlights of what you would be offered as a Dow employee:

• Equitable and market-competitive base pay and bonus opportunity across our global markets, along with locally relevant incentives.
• Benefits and programs to support your physical, mental, financial, and social well-being, to help you get the care you need...when you need it.
• Competitive retirement program that may include company-provided benefits, savings opportunities, financial planning, and educational resources to help you achieve your long term financial-goals. 
  • Employee stock purchase programs (availability varies depending on location).
• Student Debt Retirement Savings Match Program (U.S. only).
  • Dow will take the value of monthly student debt payments and apply them as if they are contributions to the Employees’ Savings Plan (401(k)), helping employees reach the Company match.
• Robust medical and life insurance packages that offer a variety of coverage options to meet your individual needs. Travel insurance is also available in certain countries/locations.
• Opportunities to learn and grow through training and mentoring, work experiences, community involvement and team building.
• Workplace culture empowering role-based flexibility to maximize personal productivity and balance personal needs.
• Competitive yearly vacation allowance.
• Paid time off for new parents (birthing and non-birthing, including adoptive and foster parents).
• Paid time off to care for family members who are sick or injured.
• Paid time off to support volunteering and Employee Resource Group’s (ERG) participation.
• Wellbeing Portal for all Dow employees, our one-stop shop to promote wellbeing, empowering employees to take ownership of their entire wellbeing journey.
• On-site fitness facilities to help stay healthy and active (availability varies depending on location).
• Employee discounts for online shopping, cinema tickets, gym memberships and more.
• Additionally, some of our locations might offer:
  • Transportation allowance (availability varies depending on location)
  • Meal subsidiaries/vouchers (availability varies depending on location)
  • Carbon-neutral transportation incentives e.g. bike to work (availability varies depending on location)

Join our team, we can make a difference together.

About Dow
Dow (NYSE: DOW) is one of the world’s leading materials science companies, serving customers in high-growth markets such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer applications. Our global breadth, asset integration and scale, focused innovation, leading business positions and commitment to sustainability enable us to achieve profitable growth and help deliver a sustainable future. We operate manufacturing sites in 30 countries and employ approximately 36,000 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $43 billion in 2024. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. ​​​​Learn more about us and our ambition to be the most innovative, customer-centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company in the world by visiting www.dow.com.

As part of our dedication to inclusion, Dow is committed to equal opportunities in employment. We encourage every employee to bring their whole self to work each day to not only deliver more value, but also have a more fulfilling career. Further information regarding Dow's equal opportunities is available on www.dow.com.