Sales Director

3195 MS Metsä Spring Oy; Espoo; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Metsä Group’s Muoto™ packaging business seeks a Sales Director to lead the commercial growth of Muoto™ packaging. Based in Espoo or another Metsä Group location in Europe, you will drive international sales, develop strategic customer relationships, and help scale this breakthrough sustainable packaging solution.

You will own pricing, forecasting and revenue targets, build a high‑performing sales team, and collaborate with customers, distributors and partners to accelerate market traction ahead

Qualifications

• Master's degree plus substantial international commercial experience.
• Proven international sales leadership with ownership of revenue targets.
• Experience delivering annual sales revenues and ambitious growth targets.
• Near-native English proficiency and ability to operate in international environments.
• Strong track record launching and scaling innovative products in international markets.
• Deep understanding of the European packaging industry and regulatory landscape.
• Established network with packaging companies, converters, distributors, and brand owners.
• Ability to develop scalable go-to-market strategies.
• Experience managing strategic customer accounts and high-value negotiations.
• Financial acumen including pricing, margins, forecasting, and growth planning.

Responsibilities

• Lead commercial growth and go-to-market activities for Muoto as it enters the commercial phase.
• Develop international sales and market-entry strategies, build strategic customer relationships, and identify new business opportunities across the packaging value chain.
• Own commercial performance including sales, pricing, forecasting, and growth planning.
• Collaborate with customers, partners, distributors, and other key stakeholders to establish Muoto as a leading sustainable packaging solution in international markets.
• Build and lead a high-performing sales organization and support the scale-up toward the 2028 production ramp.

Skills

International sales leadership

Strategic account management

Negotiation skills

Pricing & forecasting

English proficiency

Education

Master's degree

Job description

Metsä Spring Metsä Group is a successful forest industry group with roots in the Finnish forest - Our parent company is a cooperative of over 90,000 forest owners. Metsä Group’s innovation company Metsä Spring invests in innovations and technologies that create new uses and value for northern wood. Our goal is to replace fossil materials in everyday products. We welcome people from diverse backgrounds and different stages of life. Metsä has space and opportunities for many kinds of talent, regardless of age, gender, ethnic background, sexual orientation, disability or other characteristics – Metsä is for all. Read more: metsagroup.com/metsaforall. This recruitment is carried out anonymously. Metsä Spring is looking for a SALES DIRECTOR, MUOTO™ to join the Muoto™ business.

Muoto™ is a breakthrough fibre-based packaging solution developed by Metsä Group to replace conventional plastic in demanding food packaging applications. Combining premium functionality, industrial scalability and a significantly lower environmental footprint, Muoto represents one of the most advanced innovations in sustainable packaging today. Following years of technology development, customer validation and industrial-scale piloting, Muoto entered its commercial phase in August 2026, creating a unique opportunity to shape and scale an entirely new business from the ground up.

In this key role, you will take the commercial lead in building and growing the Muoto™ business. You will be responsible for driving international sales, developing strategic customer relationships, identifying new growth opportunities, and helping establish Muoto as a leading sustainable packaging solution in global markets.

The position can be based in Espoo, Finland, or at another Metsä Group location in Europe, depending on the candidate's profile. You will report to the VP, Muoto Project.

What is the job that awaits you?

In August 2026, Metsä Group decided both to launch the Muoto™ business and to invest in a new industrial-scale production facility in Äänekoski alongside the existing demo plant. The new facility is scheduled to start operations in 2028. As Muoto transitions from successful piloting to industrial-scale commercialization, we are looking for an experienced sales leader to drive go-to-market activities and accelerate growth. This is a unique opportunity to join a business at the start of its commercial journey and play a central role in building customer relationships, securing market traction, and shaping the future success of a truly novel packaging business.

In this role, you will:

• Lead the commercial growth and go-to-market activities of the Muoto™ business as it enters the commercial phase and prepares for significant expansion.
• Develop and execute international sales and market entry strategies, build strategic customer relationships, and identify new business opportunities across the packaging value chain.
• Take ownership of commercial performance, including sales, pricing, forecasting, and growth planning, while driving the achievement of ambitious revenue targets.
• Collaborate closely with customers, partners, distributors, and other key stakeholders to establish Muoto™ as a leading sustainable packaging solution in international markets.
• Build and lead a high-performing sales organization and contribute to the successful scale-up of the business towards the launch of the new production facility in 2028.

What are we expecting of you?

We are looking for a person who is capable of operating successfully in a dynamic and evolving business environment where growth, speed, and customer focus are critical. You have demonstrated success in transforming early-stage opportunities into significant commercial business and can combine strategic thinking with hands‑on execution. You are comfortable building business through extensive customer, partner, and industry networks and thrive in situations that require both persistence and adaptability.

In this position, the following competences and experience are considered essential:

• A relevant Master's degree, combined with substantial international commercial experience, is expected.
• Proven international sales leadership experience with full commercial responsibility and ownership of ambitious revenue targets.
• Experience in carrying direct responsibility for annual sales revenues and delivering against demanding commercial growth targets.
• Outstanding communication, presentation, and negotiation skills with near-native English proficiency and the ability to operate confidently in international business environments.
• Strong track record in building new business, opening new markets, and converting opportunities into long‑term customer relationships.
• Proven experience in launching and scaling innovative products, technologies, or business models in international markets.
• Deep understanding of the European packaging industry, including the value chain, key market drivers, customer needs, and regulatory landscape.
• Established network and experience working with leading packaging companies, converters, brand owners, distributors, and other key industry stakeholders.
• Ability to navigate complex customer, partner, and competitive ecosystems and develop scalable go-to-market strategies.
• Experience in managing strategic customer accounts and leading high‑value commercial negotiations.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, including pricing, margin management, business case evaluation, forecasting, and growth planning.
• Proven people leadership experience with the ability to build, coach, and develop high‑performing sales teams.
• Entrepreneurial mindset, hands‑on approach, and a strong drive for results.
• Enjoys working in an international environment with regular travel to customer meetings.

Career in the new era at Metsä Group

Career in the new era at Metsä Group An international growth business – build a successful career in renewable products. The forest industry is a prime example of the bioeconomy and circular economy, and shows the way to the future. Megatrends such as urbanisation and rising living standards are driving Metsä Group’s business and the shift to renewable fossil free raw materials and products. With us, you’ll have a front seat view of the market – developing the business with a long‑term perspective with our international partners and customers. Metsä Group has a responsible corporate culture that creates a safe working environment for all of us. We value good leadership and support for personal career development. We encourage you to display your competence and will provide you with opportunities to use it.

Anonymous recruitment - this is how it works

This is an anonymous recruitment process. The gender and date of birth of the applicant are not asked for on the application form. Personal details such as name, mother tongue, time of studies, name of educational institution and contact details are hidden until the interview stage. Attachments (such as CVs) are also hidden. Recruiters have access to the contact details of those invited for interview once the applicant has been selected for interview. Our system will guide you through the application process. The questions on the application form will help you present your skills and experience anonymously. Answer all questions carefully. If you’re invited for interview, your CV will be displayed to the recruiters to support the interview.

For more information about the position, please contact VP, Muoto Project Antti Valtonen. You can reach Antti by phone on [phone] best on 2 September between 15-16 (EET), on 10 September between 15-16 (EET) or 17 September between 14-15 (EET), or by email at [e-mail].

Metsä Group Career in the new era means regenerative work – we want to pass on a healthier planet to future generations. As a major player, Metsä Group enables change. We need to challenge our thinking, learn new things and work together with an open mind. Regenerative forestry and sustainable business create a range of opportunities for professionals of various fields. With us, everyone can be just the way they are. Everyone is given opportunities and space to grow, develop and flourish in their career. Enter a new era in your career, welcome to Metsä Group!

Anonymous recruitment is Metsä Group's main recruitment method. Whether the application is anonymous is indicated in the job advertisement. See in the video what Viivi, Matti, Claudia and Pekka tell about their work at Metsä Group.