Head of Commercial Partnerships

Kelpi; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative firm in sustainable materials is seeking a Head of Commercial Partnerships to spearhead their growth. This role offers the chance to shape the commercial strategy, collaborate with top executives, and lead a dedicated team. You'll be responsible for building relationships with major brands and ensuring successful product launches in the sustainable packaging sector. With a focus on sustainability, this is an opportunity to make a significant impact while working in a supportive and inclusive environment. Join a forward-thinking company that values creativity and initiative, and contribute to addressing the world's sustainability challenges.

Benefits

Employee Share Ownership Programme

Health Cashback Scheme

Cycle Scheme

Enhanced Family-Related Leave and Pay

Generous Budget for Development

25 Days Annual Leave

Additional 'Kelpi' Days

Charity Days

Social Events

Qualifications

• Proven ability to build client relationships in fast-paced environments.
• Experience in structuring teams around business objectives.

Responsibilities

• Lead the commercial strategy and drive business growth.
• Manage client relationships and ensure program delivery.

Skills

Client Relationship Management

Public Speaking

Strategic Planning

Business Development

Problem Solving

Team Management

Marketing Strategy

Job description

Job title: Head of Commercial Partnerships

Reporting to: CEO

Kelpi is a world-leading sustainable materials innovation company, using seaweed and natural plant-based oils to create a unique coating material that provides the sort of barrier to moisture that could previously only be achieved by fossil fuel plastics. This renewably sourced coating is then applied to paper and card to create recyclable packaging which is bio-degradable. Even if it ends up at sea, Kelpi-coated paper and card will break down naturally, leaving no toxins nor microplastics behind.

Kelpi is looking for a Head of Commercial Partnerships to join our small but rapidly growing team comprising world-class scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs.

What we are looking for

We are looking for a self-motivated, creative team player who is passionate about sustainability and wants to make a positive impact in the world. Each member of our team helps shape the growth and culture of Kelpi, so we hope that you will take an active role in how we develop our strategy, our products, and how we work together.

You’ll have the autonomy to define and lead the commercial strategy for Kelpi, be a key part of our leadership team and drive the future success of the business. You therefore should be organised, have a strong work ethic, and show an innovative and methodical approach to problem solving.

Your priority will be to develop existing relationships, delivering our existing programmes on time and in full. Additionally, you will create, curate and convert a pipeline of new business across food, drinks, personal and home care.

You should have:

• Confidence to present and influence the world’s largest companies at senior level
• Proven ability to build client relationships in a fast-paced environment
• A track record of programme delivery and client satisfaction
• Experience accurately forecasting and delivering revenue targets
• The tenacity to identify, prospect and convert potential clients
• A confident and compelling speaker in public forums / conferences and trade shows
• Understanding of the packaging industry, ideally sustainable packaging
• Experience structuring internal teams around business objectives and delivering results
• A strong orientation and proven ability to drive action and delivery

Your role

As the Head of Commercial Partnerships your focus will be to lead on the commercial strategy for Kelpi, taking the business from its current development and scale up phase, into full commercial product launch. You will take a hands-on approach in building the commercial pipeline, comprising of consumer brands in the food and drinks, personal and home care sectors, and packaging application and conversion partners, gaining commercial traction and revenue generation.

Responsibilities involve:

• Strategic leadership: You’ll work closely with the CEO to define and deliver the commercial success of Kelpi. You’ll also collaborate with the CTO and CSO to ensure product strategy and commercial strategy remain completely aligned, with our science team focusing on future material development that supports the commercial direction of the business.
• Business Development: You’ll devise and implement an effective approach to win the new brand clients and packaging partners Kelpi needs to grow successfully, taking the business from paid R&D contracts to full commercial product launch in the US, UK and EU.
• Client Delivery: You’ll lead on our ability to work collaboratively with our clients, leading the commercial team (currently one other person) and partnering with the product development team to ensure we can effectively serve some of the largest companies in the world.
• Team management: You’ll build a high-performance team to deliver our commercial goals, recruiting, retaining and directing an effective team capable of punching above our weight on the worldwide stage.
• Marketing: You’ll develop our nascent marketing strategy and approach to ensure it supports our commercial targets defining how the Kelpi brand is brought to life.

Why Kelpi?

• In addition to a competitive compensation package and growth opportunities within a startup environment, the Head of Commercial Partnerships will participate in our Employee Share Ownership Programme.
• We offer additional benefits, such as a health cashback scheme, cycle scheme, and enhanced family-related leave and pay.
• You will have access to a generous budget for personal and professional development.
• A work life balance is important to us - we offer 25 days annual leave (in addition to the 8 bank holidays), additional ‘Kelpi’ days, charity days and social events.
• Opportunities to contribute to meaningful work that is addressing the world’s biggest sustainability challenges.

Where you will be based

This is a full-time position based at our modern lab and office space in central Bristol, however we are open to discussions around flexibility, including hybrid working.

We are dedicated to providing an equal, supportive and inclusive culture and embrace a diverse range of talent to contribute to that. Therefore, we welcome all applications - regardless of gender (including gender reassignment), sex or sexual orientation, race (including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origin), religion/belief, disability or age.

If you have a medical condition or an individual need for an adjustment to our process, and you believe this may affect your ability to be at your best - please let us know so we can talk about how we can best support you and make any adjustments that may be needed. In your application, please feel free to note which pronouns you use.

We’d be delighted to talk a little more about working at Kelpi. If you are interested in joining us, please send your CV and a short statement (text, video, or audio) telling us why you are the right person for Kelpi, along with your salary expectations, availability and right to work status, to [e-mail] (because this is not a job, it’s a calling).

Seniority level: Executive

Employment type: Full-time

Job function: Sales and Management

Industries: Packaging and Containers Manufacturing