Sales Director

Metsä Group; Espoo; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Metsä Group's Muoto™ business seeks an experienced sales leader to drive go-to-market activities and international growth for a breakthrough fibre-based packaging solution.

You will build strategic customer relationships, lead a high-performing sales team, and coordinate with partners and distributors to scale Muoto globally ahead of the 2028 production launch.

Espoo or other European location is possible; strong English is essential; travel will be regular as Muoto expands internationally.

Qualifications

• Proven international sales leadership with full commercial responsibility.
• Strong strategic thinking and hands-on execution in growth markets.
• Excellent negotiation and communication skills in international environments.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

International sales leadership

Strategic thinking

Negotiation skills

English proficiency

Building customer relationships

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.

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.

Read more about Muoto™ here .

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

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. Read more and watch the video on anonymous recruitment.

https://www.metsagroup.com/careers/work-with-us/anonymous-recruitment/

Would you like to know more? Contact us!

Because the application process is anonymous, we don’t record any information about people who contact us. So don’t hesitate to call us if you have any questions about the position or the recruitment process itself. 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].

What happens next?

The application will be open until 20.09.2026 . We wish you the best of luck!