Program Development Manager Jobs in South Dakota

After more than 60 years of industry leadership, Viaflex is dedicated to utilizing years of expertise and has committed to the continuation of innovative thinking for years to come. Our team is currently over 400 team members strong and covers six locations. We are seeking passionate individuals to help us on our mission to create solutions that are thinner, lighter, and stronger - together.
The Viaflex team finds its passion in creating film and sheeting solutions that outperform and outlast. With a focus on preserving customer assets and protecting Earth's resources, Viaflex creates liners, covers, and barriers that make a positive impact in the markets we serve. From design and manufacturing to on-site installation, our highly skilled team never stops striving to improve.
SUMMARY:
Viaflex is seeking a strategic, technically grounded Business Development leader to drive growth in engineered plastic film markets. This role is responsible for identifying, developing, and commercializing new market opportunities while expanding existing business within targeted industries.
The ideal candidate combines business development experience with a strong engineering foundation (polymer, chemical, or mechanical) and hands-on experience within plastic film manufacturing, extrusion, or converting environments. This individual must be comfortable engaging both at the customer executive level and in technical discussions regarding materials, processing, and application performance.
This position plays a critical role in shaping the division's long-term growth strategy by bringing products into new markets, developing adjacent applications, and aligning commercial strategy with technical capability.
Key Responsibilities:
Market Development & Growth

• Identify and penetrate new markets aligned with Viaflex's engineered film capabilities.
• Lead commercialization of new and enhanced products from concept through launch.
• Develop and execute strategic growth plans aligned with division objectives.
• Build and manage high-value customer relationships at technical and executive levels.
• Monitor competitive landscape, emerging technologies, and market trends.

Technical & Commercial Leadership

• Collaborate with engineering, R&D, and operations teams to translate material science and processing capabilities into market-ready solutions.
• Provide input into product design, performance specifications, and manufacturability.
• Support capital investment decisions including evaluation of new equipment related to growth initiatives.
• Develop pricing strategies aligned with value proposition and cost structure.
• Prepare financial models and account analyses supporting growth initiatives.

Strategic Initiatives

• Evaluate partnership, acquisition, or joint development opportunities.
• Represent Viaflex at trade shows, industry conferences, and customer technical meetings.
• Contribute to long-term strategic planning and annual budgeting processes.

• Maintain records on direct reports in relation to attendance and performance.
• Demonstrates the Viaflex Team Member Values in their daily actions and encourages their teams to do the same.
• Learning, understanding, continuously improving, and promoting the division's quality management system in accordance with ISO standards.
• Develop and execute budgets, strategic plans, policies, procedures, and initiatives.
• Identify and solicit potential business that fits the division strategic plan. Promote and maintain the highest possible business relationships.
• Oversee and ensure various programs essential to business development are established and maintained to division standards.
• Assist with the evaluation of potential acquisitions or partnerships.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
Bachelor's degree in Polymer Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or related technical discipline required. Minimum 8 years related experience required; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• 8+ years of progressive experience in business development, technical sales, or commercialization within plastic film, flexible packaging, or polymer manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated success developing new markets and launching products into new applications.
• Strong understanding of polymer materials, extrusion processes (blown film, cast film), converting, or film performance characteristics.
• Experience collaborating cross-functionally between technical and commercial teams.

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking and market analysis.
• Technical fluency in polymer materials and processing.
• Strong financial acumen and pricing strategy development.
• Executive-level communication and negotiation skills.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with ability to build new growth platforms.
• Willingness to travel up to 50%.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
Strong sales and service skills. Demonstrated leadership abilities. Capability to coach, mentor, and empower team members to succeed. High level of patience and service. Ability to motivate team members. Problem-solving abilities. Ability to identify waste and creatively look for solutions. Capacity to be flexible and multitask. Proficient with computers, including Microsoft Office. Ability to communicate effectively with team members and leadership staff. Travel may be up to 50% of time.
LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT:
Positions reports to: Eric Olson
Position does not have any direct reports.
BENEFITS TO YOU:
Not all benefits are created equal, but we have got you covered. Viaflex not only offers a wide range of benefits that encourage wellness and preventative care, but we also provide the right tools and programs to help you achieve it. Our benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, company-paid life and disability insurance and 401k. We offer workplace flexibility policies to promote work/life balance in addition to paid time off (PTO) benefits. Team Members can also take advantage of additional benefit programs such as education assistance, our onsite fitness center or fitness center reimbursement, employee assistance program (EAP) and much more.
EEOC STATEMENT:
Viaflex is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, citizenship, ancestry, marital status, protected veteran status, disability status or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.