Application & Market Development Manager (w/m/x)

Planet A; Hamburg; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Planet A in Hamburg is seeking a passionate Application & Market Development Manager to contribute to their mission of tackling global plastic pollution. In this role, you'll bridge R&D and sales, translating innovative material technologies into compelling customer value.

Your qualifications will hinge on your expertise in materials science and your ability to communicate technical concepts effectively. This opportunity supports a purpose-driven initiative while fostering a climate-neutral materials industry.

Qualifications

• Degree in materials science, chemistry, plastics engineering, or a related field.
• Understanding of plastics, materials, or processing technologies.
• Ideally experience in an application-oriented role, such as Application Engineering or Product Management.
• Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly and effectively.
• Customer-oriented mindset with experience interacting directly with industrial customers.
• Interest in industrial applications and market dynamics.
• Excellent communication skills in German and English.
• Structured and independent way of working.

Responsibilities

• Development of segment-specific value propositions for different application markets.
• Translation of technical material properties into clear customer arguments.
• Creation and continuous development of technical product data sheets.
• Definition of product requirements based on market feedback.
• Support of the sales team in technical customer discussions.
• Documentation of trial results and customer learnings.
• Providing input to the Commercial Strategy function.

Skills

Understanding of plastics and materials

Excellent communication skills in German and English

Customer-oriented mindset

Education

Degree in materials science, chemistry, or related field

Tools

Experience with extrusion and injection molding processes

Job description

Application & Market Development Manager (w/m/x)

Hamburg-Harburg (Neuland), Remote – Full-time – Permanent employee

Your mission

We are tackling global plastic pollution - and you will be part of the solution!

At traceless, we develop and produce a new generation of materials designed to integrate harmoniously into nature instead of leaving harmful traces. Our patented technology transforms agricultural residues into traceless®: a plastic‑free, home‑compostable and biobased granulate that works in harmony with nature - not against it.

As part of our team, you will contribute to our bold mission: replacing plastic at scale and building a climate‑neutral, circular materials industry. More than just a job, this is your opportunity to join a science‑driven, purpose‑led and pioneering team determined to create real change.

As Application & Market Development Manager you translate material innovation into clear commercial customer value.

As a central interface between R&D, sales, converters, and brand owners, you ensure that technical material properties are translated into applicable and economically compelling solutions, thereby accelerating the product‑market fit process.

You play a key role in shortening iteration cycles and increasing the success rate of qualification processes.

Responsibilities

• Development of segment‑specific value propositions for different application markets.
• Translation of technical material properties into clear customer arguments and application benefits.
• Creation and continuous development of technical product data sheets and application guidelines.
• Definition of product requirements based on market and customer feedback.
• Support of the sales team in technical customer discussions and application‑related questions.
• Structured documentation of trial results and customer learnings as input for the feedback process into R&D.
• Providing input to the Commercial Strategy function to further refine market positioning and segment focus.

Your profile

• Degree in materials science, chemistry, plastics engineering, or a related field.
• Understanding of plastics, materials, or processing technologies such as extrusion, injection molding, compounding, or similar processes.
• Ideally experience in an application‑oriented role, such as Application Engineering or Product Management.
• Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly and effectively.
• Customer‑oriented mindset, ideally with experience interacting directly with industrial customers.
• Interest in industrial applications and market dynamics.
• Excellent communication skills in German and English.
• Structured and independent way of working, with a strong interest in connecting technical and commercial perspectives.

Equal Opportunity

We welcome all applications – regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, belief, disability, age, and sexual orientation and identity. Because to tackle plastic pollution, it's going to take all of us.