Business Development & Startup Manager - Functional & Sustainable Packaging Solutions

EOC Group; Belgique; À distance; EUR 90 000 - 130 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Company car

Performance incentives

Fringe benefits

Résumé du poste

EOC Group is seeking a Business Development & Startup Manager to drive market discovery, strategy, and growth across the European packaging value chain. You will identify growth segments, shape market entry plans, and lead partnerships with converters, brand owners, and coating formulators.

You will build a robust opportunity pipeline, guide co-development projects, and align product strategy with market needs while traveling regularly (50–60%).

Qualifications

• Masters or Bachelor's degree in sciences, economics, or equivalent.
• 10+ years of experience in the packaging industry or functional coatings/polymer dispersions.

Responsabilités

• Map and quantify the European packaging value chain (paper, board, converters, brand owners, recyclers, tech suppliers).
• Identify growth segments and develop market entry and growth strategy for sustainable functional chemistry.
• Build and manage a qualified opportunity pipeline across core applications (barrier coatings, heat seal coatings, laminating adhesives).
• Engage with packaging converters, paper/board manufacturers, brand owners, coating formulators and compounders.
• Drive partnerships and co-development projects; lead customer journeys from concept to commercialization.
• Build external network within the packaging ecosystem and position the company as a thought leader in sustainable coatings.

Connaissances

Business development

Networking

Strategic thinking

Execution

Customer focus

Communication

Opportunity creation

Travel willingness

Formation

Bachelor's or Master's degree in sciences/economics or equivalent

Description du poste

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

Product & Innovation Alignment

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.