Business Development Manager

Ahlstrom; France; Sur place; EUR 60 000 - 90 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A leading company in sustainable solutions seeks an experienced business development professional to drive growth in the Agriculture sector. The role involves market analysis, customer acquisition, and strategy development to enhance profitability while fostering sustainability. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in sales, a growth-oriented mindset, and a passion for environmental responsibility, along with a proven track record in similar sectors.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years in business development or international sales.
• Fluency in English required; additional languages a plus.
• Experience in paper/nonwovens or B2B materials industries valued.

Responsabilités

• Investigate global market dynamics focusing on Agriculture.
• Acquire new customers and drive revenue growth.
• Collaborate with Product Development and Marketing.

Connaissances

Negotiation

Communication

International Growth Mindset

Sustainability Orientation

Adaptability

Technical Curiosity

Formation

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business, Engineering, Agriculture

Description du poste

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Find and commercialize new business opportunities in key segments—initially focusing on Agriculture —in line with our strategic objectives for sustainable growth. This involves driving global market penetration from our plants, cultivating strategic partnerships, and rapidly delivering innovative solutions that meet both revenue and sustainability targets.

Main responsibilities / key tasks

• Investigate global market dynamics, with a primary focus on Agriculture, and secondary in New Construction/Insulation, identifying where our paper/nonwoven solutions can provide a competitive edge.
• Leverage industry trends, customer insights, and sustainability requirements to shape go-to-market strategies.
• Acquire new customers and scale revenue by partnering with key industry players, influencers, and solution providers.
• Negotiate contracts, close deals, and ensure profitability by setting competitive product positioning and pricing.
• Collaborate closely with Product Development and Marketing to prepare launches, pilot innovations, capture feedback, and refine products for market success.
• Translate customer pains and gains into clear requirements to guide R&D and product roadmaps.
• Develop compelling, sustainability-driven value propositions for target segments.
• Work with the Group Marketing team to create impactful sales and promotional materials, emphasizing environmental and economic benefits.
• Track tons, revenue, and profitability (Margin Over Variable Cost - MOVC), aligned with annual targets from the Blueprint.
• Communicate progress, challenges, and market insights regularly to internal stakeholders, recommending adjustments for strategic alignment.

Internal stakeholders

• Head of Sales (Industrial Nonwovens Business Line)– Direct reporting line
• Product Development Team & Product Manager– Collaborate on innovation, product trials, and roadmap development.
• Sales Team & Group Marketing– Align go-to-market activities, branding, and communication strategies.
• Group Innovation/R&D & Group Sustainability– Ensure solutions meet sustainability criteria and leverage advanced technical expertise

External stakeholders

• Customers & Potential Indirect Customers(Agriculture, New Construction, Insulation) – Drive adoption and long-term partnerships.
• Industry Influencers & Solutions Providers– Forge relationships to expand market reach and stay ahead of competitive trends.

Education

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business, Engineering, Agriculture, or related fields preferred.
• Equivalent work experience in paper/nonwovens or similar B2B materials industries is also valued.

Years of relevant experience

Minimum 7 years in business development or an international sales role with a proven track record of driving growth from concept to launch.

Fluency in English is required.

French or other additional languages are an advantage.

Specific skills / competences

• International Growth Mindset– Adept at identifying and scaling opportunities across diverse regions.
• Negotiation & Communication– Skilled at closing complex deals, presenting to varied audiences, and influencing key decision-makers.
• Sustainability Orientation– Passion for environmental responsibility, with the ability to integrate sustainability into product and market strategies.
• Adaptability– Able to pivot in a dynamic environment and travel globally (up to 50% of the time) as business needs evolve.
• Technical Curiosity– Interest in learning about paper/nonwoven solutions and the willingness to delve into new segments (e.g., Agriculture, Insulation).
• Travel –Willingless to travel extensively (50% of the time)
• Experience –Experience from paper and/or expertise in Agriculture industry is considered an advantage