Business Development & Startup Manager – Functional & Sustainable Packaging Solutions

EOC Group; Belgique; Sur place; EUR 90 000 - 130 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Competitive salary package

Company car

Performance incentives

Résumé du poste

EOC Group seeks an entrepreneurial Business Development & Startup Manager to lead expansion into sustainable packaging. You will map the European value chain, identify growth segments, and translate regulatory trends into business opportunities, driving strategy from concept to market.

In this externally focused, high-impact role you will build a strong network with converters, paper producers, brand owners, and technology suppliers, lead partnerships and customer journeys, and shape R&D

Qualifications

• Hold a master's or bachelor's degree and 10+ years in packaging or functional coatings.
• Strong business development track record in growth markets with a European network.
• Deep knowledge of packaging technologies and barrier coatings/functional performance.
• Assets: experience with sustainable water-based coatings and recyclability regulations.

Responsabilités

• Map and quantify the European packaging value chain (paper, converters, brand owners, recyclers, suppliers).
• Identify growth segments and develop market entry/growth strategy for sustainable functional chemistry.
• Lead opportunities pipeline across barrier coatings, heat seal coatings, adhesives for lamination; drive partnerships.
• Shape internal alignment and pricing strategy; support sales with technical positioning.

Connaissances

Business development

Strategy development

Networking

Technical packaging knowledge

Communication

Formation

Master's or bachelor's degree in sciences/economics

Description du poste

The packaging industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation, driven by regulation, sustainability pressure, and the shift toward recyclable, fiber-based, and plastic-reducing solutions. Functional performance (barrier, sealing, strength) is increasingly being achieved through sustainable coatings such as water-based polymer dispersions.

We are looking for an entrepreneurial Business Development Manager to lead our strategic expansion into the sustainable packaging market: identifying growth opportunities, building a strong market network, and defining our positioning in barrier coatings and functional chemistry for packaging. This is an externally focused, high-impact role that requires deep industry connectivity, technical insight, and commercial drive.

What will you do?

As Business Development & Startup Manager, you will be responsible for the following:

Market Discovery & Strategy Development

• You map and quantify the European packaging value chain: paper and board producers, converters, brand owners, recyclers, and technology suppliers
• You identify growth segments (e.g. barrier coatings for food packaging, fiber-based solutions replacing PE, flexible packaging alternatives)
• You develop a clear market entry and growth strategy for sustainable functional chemistry
• You translate regulatory trends (PPWR, recyclability requirements) into business opportunities

Business Development & Commercial Leadership

• You build and manage a qualified opportunity pipeline across the core applications: barrier coatings (grease, moisture, OTR/CO₂), heat seal coatings, adhesives for film lamination
• You engage directly with packaging converters, paper and board manufacturers, brand owners (FMCG, food, e-commerce), coating formulators, and compounders
• You drive strategic partnerships and joint development projects
• You lead key customer journeys from concept to commercialization

Ecosystem & Network Building

• You build a strong external network within the packaging ecosystem: industry associations (Cepi, Flexible Packaging Europe, etc.), technology suppliers and manufacturers, start-ups, and innovation hubs
• You position the company as a thought leader in sustainable coating solutions
• You represent the company at industry events and technical forums
• You translate market needs into clear product and R&D requirements
• You define and prioritize functional performance gaps: recyclability/repulpability, barrier performance versus cost, compatibility with existing converting processes
• You work closely with R&D teams on the development and testing roadmap

Internal Alignment & Capability Building

• You act as the internal expert on sustainable packaging applications
• You support sales teams with technical positioning and value-based selling
• You contribute to pricing strategy and value propositions
• You build internal knowledge around regulation, market trends, and the competitive landscape

Who are you?

• You hold a master's or bachelor's degree in sciences, economics, or equivalent, and have 10+ years of experience in the packaging industry (converter, paper producer, chemical supplier), or in functional coatings/polymer dispersions (latex, acrylics, PVAc)
• You have a proven track record in business development, preferably in growth markets, and a strong existing network within the European packaging ecosystem
• You have thorough knowledge of packaging technologies (paper/board, flexible) and barrier coatings/functional performance requirements
• It is an additional asset if you have experience with sustainable (water-based) coating and adhesive technologies, knowledge of European sustainability and recyclability regulations, experience with co-development projects with customers, or a background bridging technical and commercial roles
• You are an entrepreneur who creates opportunities out of ambiguity, and at the same time a network builder who connects the entire value chain and influences stakeholders
• You are a strategic thinker with hands-on execution power, customer-focused and solution-driven
• You communicate strongly, both technically and commercially, and are a bridge-builder and coach
• You are resilient and adaptable in a fast-evolving market
• You are willing to travel regularly: business travel takes up approximately 50 to 60% of your time

What do we offer?

You will get a unique opportunity to shape a new growth platform in a fast-evolving market, with direct impact on the sustainability transition in packaging. It is a highly visible role in which you will have the space to build a strategic start-up from early stage to full scale, within a growth-oriented and sustainability-driven company. You will join a collaborative culture where you can count on technical support to arrive at customer-focused solutions. In addition, we offer a competitive salary package with performance incentives, a company car, and numerous other fringe benefits.