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Director, West Business Development

Company Overview

Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM), headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, and Bridgestone Europe, Middle East and Africa (BSEMEA), headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, operate collectively as a “Bridgestone West” strategic region. This region services the strategic business needs of teams across the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa. BSAM and BSEMEA are subsidiaries of Bridgestone Corporation, globally headquartered in Japan. Bridgestone and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand products and solutions to address the needs of a broad range of customers and industries.

Job Category

General Management

Position Summary

The Director, West Sustainability Business Development is responsible for identifying, evaluating, and advancing strategic growth opportunities across the West region with an initial focus on commercializing domestic rubber and associated co-products derived from Guayule as well as new markets utilizing End-of-Life Tire materials.

Business Development and Go to Market Strategy: This leader will develop new business models, commercialize emerging products and value streams, and establish transformative partnerships that support the organization’s medium and long-term growth, profitability, sustainability, and supply-risk mitigation objectives.

The Director will lead the development of comprehensive business and go to market strategies and investment recommendations, including financial modeling, market assessment, partnership structures, commercialization plans including direct or through 3rd parties (make/build/license).

Sales Plan Development: The role will lead and collaborate closely with business unit leadership and cross-functional teams, including Finance, Research and Development, Operations, Marketing, Government Relations, Legal, and Sales, to translate strategic opportunities into financially viable and executable business plans.

This role will partner with external strategic partners and potential customers in co-creating new portfolio of products through collaborative co-creation activities across multiple products (rubber, resins, molded goods, and others). This includes developing new markets, sales channels, or sale relationships by identifying and negotiating strategic partnerships including financial arrangements, customer sharing, and intellectual property rights through possible co-creation. The individual will create and manage a portfolio of market development activities and timelines from concept to LOI and into the delivery phase (portfolio of businesses, products, and customers).

Leadership: This role also leads a small and very talented team of direct reports to deliver ambitious objectives, while being supported by a global and diverse set of functional team members. The long-term strategic plan assumes an increase in sales resources.

Serving as a primary source of market, industry, and competitive insight, the Director will build relationships with customers, investors, start-ups, academic institutions, industry organizations, technology incubators, government agencies, and established companies. The position will regularly present business cases, progress updates, recommendations, and investment decisions to senior executives and other key stakeholders internally and externally. This role could also work with corporate development team on potential future acquisition or joint venture opportunities.

Responsibilities

· Identify and assess new markets, products, revenue streams, strategic partnerships, and other business development opportunities that support regional and enterprise growth objectives.

· Develop and implement commercialization strategies for emerging products, technologies, and coproducts, including market-entry plans, revenue models, pricing strategies, sales and distribution channels, customer value propositions, and partnership structures.

· Build scalable, end-to-end business models that integrate supply, operations, processing, product development, customer demand, and commercial execution.

· Evaluate the strategic and financial viability of investments, partnerships, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and other growth opportunities through rigorous financial modeling, return-on-investment analysis, scenario planning, and risk assessment.

· Identify and cultivate relationships with potential customers, strategic investors, suppliers, growers, start-ups, academic institutions, technology incubators, industry organizations, and established companies.

· Lead the development and negotiation of strategic partnerships and commercial arrangements, including offtake agreements, investment structures, customer-sharing arrangements, and intellectual property considerations.

· Partner with business unit leaders to develop business-specific strategies and translate strategic priorities into actionable projects, programs, and investment opportunities.

· Lead cross-functional strategic initiatives involving technical and business teams, including Research and Development, Finance, Operations, Marketing, Sales, Legal, Government Relations, and external partners.

· Monitor market developments, competitive activity, emerging technologies, regulatory considerations, and medium- to long-term industry trends to inform strategic planning and investment decisions.

· Provide industry and competitive expertise to business leaders and facilitate alignment across business units regarding growth priorities and emerging opportunities.

· Contribute to the development of medium- and long-term business plans by consolidating business unit priorities into a clear, cohesive, and actionable enterprise narrative.

· Responsible for managing OPEX and CAPEX budgets including Analyze capital requirements and support project prioritization, capital allocation, and approval decisions for new business and product development initiatives.

· Structure and lead complex corporate strategic projects from initial opportunity identification through business case development, executive approval, partnership formation, and commercialization.

· Develop and deliver executive-level presentations that communicate business opportunities, financial implications, strategic recommendations, implementation plans, progress updates, and decisions required.

· Influence stakeholders across a matrixed organization and build alignment among senior leaders, cross-functional teams, and external partners.

· Work with global teams and functions on global initiatives

Establish appropriate performance measures and regularly track the financial, strategic, operational, and commercial progress of approved initiatives

Minimum Qualifications

Required

· Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Marketing, Engineering, Strategy, or a related field.

· Ten or more years of relevant experience in business development, corporate strategy, strategic planning, finance, investment analysis, marketing, commercialization, or project leadership, including significant management or leadership experience.

· Demonstrated ability to identify growth opportunities, develop new business models, and bring financially viable products, services, or value streams to market.

· Strong corporate finance and investment evaluation capabilities, including financial modeling, return-on-investment analysis, scenario analysis, and preparation of business cases.

· Experience evaluating or developing strategic partnerships, acquisitions, investments, joint ventures, or other complex commercial arrangements.

· Proven ability to lead complex, cross-functional initiatives in a highly matrixed environment.

· Ability to work effectively with technical teams and business functions, translating complex technical, operational, and market information into clear commercial strategies.

· Strong strategic thinking, intellectual curiosity, analytical judgment, and problem-solving capabilities.

· Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex ideas and articulate a clear vision, objectives, strategies, and execution plans.

· Demonstrated ability to influence, align, and build trusted relationships with senior executives, business leaders, external partners, customers, and investors.

· Collaborative leadership approach, strong listening skills, and the ability to operate effectively in situations involving ambiguity, evolving priorities, and complex stakeholder interests.


Preferred

· Master of Business Administration or another relevant advanced degree.

· Experience in bio-based products, natural resources, agriculture, advanced materials, chemicals, resins, industrial products, manufacturing, or sustainability-focused businesses.

· Experience commercializing new technologies, emerging products, alternative materials, or coproduct value streams.

· Experience developing strategic relationships with start-ups, academic institutions, industry organizations, technology incubators, government entities, or strategic investment partners.

At Bridgestone, you are Free to Be


We believe people can only provide superior service and quality to others when they feel safe bringing their chosen version of themselves to work. We believe in championing all perspectives, individuals and teams because we understand the importance of seeing the world and our business through many different lenses. So, show us what you are made of, because who you are is what we need.


What we offer


At Bridgestone, what really matters is to foster co-creation opportunities and empowering you to be creative and curious to make mobility safer, more efficient, and more sustainable for future generations. Whatever role you fill, when you represent Bridgestone, you are a valued teammate, and part of our larger mission to “Serve Society with Superior Quality”, for that, we offer you more than just a competitive compensation; we will provide you:


  • A supportive and engaging onboarding experience to ensure a smooth transition into our team.
  • The opportunity to develop and grow, through training and regular mentorship.
  • Corporate Social Responsibility activities.
  • A truly global, dynamic and challenging work environment.
  • Agility and work/life effectiveness and your long-term well-being.
  • An effective and inclusive team.

Bridgestone is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. It is our policy to consider all individuals for employment based on their unique merit and without regard to age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.


Employment Eligibility

If hired, a Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification must be completed at the start of employment. Temporary work authorization or the need for sponsorship may disqualify you from employment.

Corporate Careers

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Our Benefits

Bridgestone Americas believes that taking care of you means more than just a prescription or dental plan. Our benefit plans are designed to meet our teammates' emotional, financial and physical needs, helping them thrive at work.

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Physical Health

At Bridgestone, we care about your physical health. That’s why we offer competitive benefits to ensure our teammates have access to quality and equitable healthcare.

Learn More
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Emotional Well-being

We recognize that emotional well-being is just as important as physical health. That's why we offer a supportive work environment and resources to help our teammates manage stress and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

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Financial Well-being

Bridgestone helps you invest in your future by investing in you. We provide resources and benefits to support your financial health, including retirement plans and financial planning resources, among others.

Learn More

Bridgestone Application & Interview FAQs

Answers to frequently asked questions about our application and interview process to help you prepare.

Before you apply for one of the available opportunities at Bridgestone, review each of the skills needed for the role that interests you and be prepared to show how you meet the qualifications.

Whether on a job application or your resume, it is essential to customize your information to highlight the most relevant connections to the job you want.

Once you have provided your information to Bridgestone, you will receive a request for an interview if you are being considered.

In the Bridgestone hiring process, depending on the role you are being considered for, you may have a one-on-one interview or a panel interview, and both can happen in person or via video call. If you are applying for a manufacturing or retail role, you will probably interview in person or at the location where you plan to work. All these factors can change how you might prepare for and conduct an interview, so we have created a guide that covers virtual or video interview tips and in-person interview tips. We have also included other common information you should consider.

Prepare Your “Elevator Speech”
In most interviews, you will get the prompt to “tell us about yourself” or something of that nature. It’s best to prepare a short but compelling description of yourself. Consider including:
Brief summary of your career, potentially highlighting your most relevant job.
Why are you looking to start a career at Bridgestone, or are you looking to change careers/jobs?
What was interesting about this particular role or working at Bridgestone?

Be Ready to Answer Questions
During an interview, you will be asked questions about previous experience to learn more about you. Whether you are asked about strengths or weaknesses or about a particular work situation that you might have considered a challenge or a win, it helps if you structure your answers with the STAR Method.
Situation: Describe the challenge you faced, win you had, or relevant situation
Task: Explain the role you played
Action: What were the detailed steps you took or how you accomplished the task
Result: Explain the outcome
Make sure that it is relevant to the role you are seeking. This method also helps you demonstrate how you accomplished something or overcame a challenge independently or while working well with a team.

Be Ready to Ask Questions
It is also important to ask questions to help you make an informed decision about the role if an offer is extended to you. Remember that you are interviewing Bridgestone as much as we are interviewing you, so asking interview questions is critical.
Some questions you can ask:
What would my day-to-day role look like?
Describe the team I would be working with.
What is your favorite thing about working at Bridgestone?
You mentioned (insert topic here). Tell me more about that.

By asking open-ended questions that cannot be answered with a simple “yes” or “no,” you can learn more about the role and the people you would be working with. And by circling back on information shared during the interview, you show that you are actively listening and interested.

Plan Your Route
If you are interviewing in person, map out the route you will take before the day of your interview to make sure you allow enough time for travel. Be mindful of traffic patterns and look for any construction in the area. Aim to be about 15 minutes early for your interview so you can find a place to park and take some time to prepare mentally.
If you have an unexpected schedule conflict, notify your recruiter via phone/email/text so they can work to reschedule your time.

Dress to Impress
Dress appropriately for the role you want. Different work environments may be more casual, but you always want to look your best for an interview. Consider this for a video interview as well. Most of us have better posture and body language when we look and feel our best. While no one may know you are wearing pajamas, your casual demeanor may not make a great first impression. Make sure you are free of as many distractions as possible. With many of us having to work from home while taking care of our families, we understand that quiet space can be challenging to find for you as well as for the interviewers. While we encourage you to find an area where you can focus and not be interrupted, we understand that life happens and might just happen during your interview, so don’t stress too much about it.

What to Bring
Even if you have provided a resume, always bring one additional copy for each person interviewing you. And for any interview, it’s always good to bring a pen and paper if you want to take notes. Stay engaged in the conversation; no one wants to see the top of your head while you write notes for the entire interview.

There may be a chance one or more of your interviews will be conducted virtually. Here are our tips to prepare;

Check Your Tech
Confirm what platform you will use and make sure that you have it properly installed and launched on your system.
If you use a device like a tablet or a laptop, ensure it is fully charged. Try not to use a phone if possible.
Confirm that your webcam and microphone are allowed and work correctly in your chosen browser.
Test your internet connection to ensure it is strong and working.
If using headphones, make sure they are connected and selected prior.
At the beginning of the interview, verify that the interviewer can hear and see you.
Close other programs on your computer. Getting notifications during your interview is distracting and unprofessional. Before your interview, ensure all other computer windows are closed, and notifications are silenced or turned off.
Switch your other devices onto silent mode; however, have your phone handy if your interviewer is having technical difficulties or trying to reach out via phone or email.
If you need any accessibility accommodations or are concerned about the required virtual platform not being fully accessible for you, please let the recruiter at Bridgestone know. We will reach out to discuss how to best support you.

Prepare Your Space
Conduct your interview in a quiet, well-lit environment, without a backlight or window that may put you in a shadow.
Find a place with a simple backdrop or blank wall to eliminate distractions and put the focus on you.
Avoid taking an interview from your vehicle. If it is the only quiet place you can find, DO NOT attempt to interview while driving or in a moving vehicle; our recruiters will end the call. After all, at Bridgestone, we make safety a business value.

Smile for the Camera
Look at the camera. Looking directly at the video camera (not the screen) is the only way to maintain direct eye contact with your interviewer.
Try to focus on sitting up straight and making eye contact. At the beginning of the interview, verify that the interviewer can hear and see you.
Be mindful of your body language. Not all physical cues translate from in-person interviews to video interviews. Be sure to have good posture and stay engaged.
Silence any other technology, i.e. smart watches; you don’t want to be distracted or appear disinterested during your interview."

When the interview ends, whether virtual or in person, you can ask what to expect as the next step in the process. The person conducting the interview can let you know if there are additional interviews to expect or if you will hear from HR with a decision as to whether you have been chosen for the role.

We ask that you be patient as we may have several candidates to interview, but we value your time and will offer the professional courtesy of a response either way. Also, if you are no longer interested in the role or have accepted another role, please notify your recruiter so they can remove you from the interview process.

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As a member of our Talent Community, you will receive access to news, events and career opportunities at Bridgestone. Sign up now and take the first step towards a fulfilling career with us.

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