Business Development Manager (Sustainability & Recycling Partnerships)

About Evergreen Goodwill

Evergreen Goodwill of Northwest Washington is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1923 that helps people get jobs across Northwest Washington by offering high-quality free job training, education and job placement. Goodwill empowers individuals to overcome barriers to working, by providing comprehensive support and connecting them with life changing job opportunities, ensuring they are career-ready and can support themselves and their families.

The organization employs over 2,000 people, operates five job-training centers, 23 nonprofit retail stores and more than 27 donation sites in King, Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom and Kitsap Counties. Every day, Evergreen Goodwill connects people with the jobs, services and skills they need - because Jobs Change Lives. We are committed to creating and sustaining a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion (DEI) and are focused on creating a joyful, inclusive and successful organization.

Job Title: Business Development Manager (Sustainability / Recycling Partnerships)

FLSA Status: Salary, Exempt

Reports to: Director, Strategic Initiatives

Supervises: N/A

Location: Seattle Admin Building

Salary: $95,000 - $110,000 annually

The Business Development Manager is responsible for developing, maintaining, and growing Evergreen Goodwill's recycling and salvage partner relationships. This role manages a portfolio of recycling partners and downstream buyers to ensure reliable service, strong pricing, and efficient execution across the full lifecycle of material movement-from internal operational coordination through external vendor performance and commercial terms.

This position is both growth-oriented and service-oriented: it requires building new partnerships and also ensuring existing partners deliver consistent results through proactive account management, issue resolution, and performance improvement. The role works cross-functionally with internal stakeholders (e.g., retail, salvage operations, transportation, finance) to align partner strategy with operational capabilities and mission outcomes.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

• Own day-to-day relationships with assigned recycling / salvage partners, serving as the primary point of contact for account health, performance, and issue resolution.
• Identify, qualify, and pursue new recycling partners and buyers to expand capacity, improve pricing, and reduce risk through diversification.
• Negotiate commercial terms, including pricing structures, service levels, pick-up/drop-off requirements, contamination standards, and payment terms (in coordination with leadership and finance as needed).
• Build and maintain a partner pipeline and account plans, including goals, expected volumes, and near-term opportunities.
• Coordinate cross-functionally to ensure operational execution aligns with partner commitments (material readiness, scheduling, logistics, documentation, and service expectations).
• Monitor market conditions and commodity pricing trends; recommend adjustments to partner strategy to optimize financial outcomes.
• Track and report key performance indicators (KPIs) such as partner volume, revenue/margin contribution, service reliability, issue frequency, and resolution timeframes.
• Support development of standardized partner processes (intake requirements, quality standards, billing/invoicing workflows, and documentation).
• Ensure compliance with applicable safety, environmental, and organizational policies; escalate risks and recurring issues promptly.
• Represent EGNW professionally in meetings, site visits, and external partner engagements; build long-term trust and credibility.
• Promote and uphold safe work practices through awareness, training, and reporting of potential hazards.
• Perform other duties and projects as assigned.

Position Requirements: Qualifications under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

To successfully perform this job, individuals must be able to complete each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Communications, Marketing, Supply Chain, Sustainability, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• 3-5 years of experience in business development, account management, vendor management, procurement, logistics, recycling/commodities, waste management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience managing external partner relationships with measurable commercial outcomes.
• Experience negotiating pricing and terms; comfort working with contracts, service-level expectations, and performance management.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office programs; ability to learn internal systems quickly.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel locally for partner meetings/site visits as needed.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong communication skills (written and verbal) with the ability to influence and build trust across diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to translate operational realities into partner-facing commitments and timelines.
• High ownership mindset: proactive follow-through, responsiveness, and comfort operating in ambiguity.
• Analytical skills to evaluate partner performance, market pricing inputs, and operational constraints.
• Strong organization, prioritization, and time management skills; ability to manage multiple accounts and initiatives simultaneously.

Physical Abilities

• Ability to sit at a desk and work on a computer for extended periods of time.
• Occasionally required to lift and carry files or materials weighing up to 10 pounds.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, over the phone, and in writing.
• Ability to visit operational sites and partner locations, which may include walking on uneven surfaces and exposure to warehouse/industrial environments.

Essential Mental/Sensory Abilities

• Analytical skill, problem-solving, organizing, categorizing, and analyzing data.
• Strong attention to detail, prioritization, time management, and multi-tasking skills.
• Foster an environment of initiative, communication, accountability, and excellence.

Work Environment

This role operates in a combination of professional office and field/operational environments with varying noise levels. Site visits may involve exposure to warehouse, salvage, or industrial settings. Appropriate PPE may be required in certain areas.

Everyone Is Welcome

When you join Evergreen Goodwill, you join a truly vibrant community. We value the things that make us different and unique. From diverse international and ethnic backgrounds, to languages, identities, ages, orientations, and beyond, Evergreen Goodwill celebrates individual and cultural diversity.

Why work at Evergreen Goodwill?

• A health plan that includes medical, dental, vision and prescription coverage

• 100% Employer-paid life, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D), and long term disability insurance (for salaried employee)

• Voluntary supplemental coverage for life, accident, illness, and short- and long-term disability

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) Plan

• Roth and 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan program

• Paid vacation, (9) holiday and sick time

• Limited paid time off for Jury Duty and Bereavement Leave

• Employee discounts

• Employee referral bonus

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Mentorship Program

• Career Advancement Opportunities

• Paid Job Training

EEO Statement: Evergreen Goodwill of Northwest Washington is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, veteran status, or other protected characteristics in accordance with applicable law. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, compensation, benefits, and termination.

This document does not represent a contract of employment, and EGNW reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as EGNW may deem appropriate.