Business Development Manager Europe – Avantium – Amsterdam

Our world needs solutions, and we need them fast. A growing population and increasing standards of living drive our energy and material consumption. In order to keep global warming at bay, we need to reduce our carbon footprint substantially, in fact transition towards a climate neutral economy.

Avantium’s Vision: “We believe in a fossil-free world, let’s go!”

We create disruptive technologies to facilitate the sustainability change and bring them to the world with partners to accelerate the transition towards renewable and circular business.

Where do you fit in?

Within the Business Unit Avantium Renewable Polymers (ARNP) we are working on the commercialization of Avantium’s proprietary YXY plants-to-polymers Technology. This technology catalytically converts plant-based feedstock into FDCA (furandicarboxylic acid) and to materials such as the new material PEF (polyethylene furanoate). PEF enables the circular economy in fast moving consumers goods (FMCG) in packaging and apparel by combining 100% renewable and 100% recyclable with superior performance properties (barrier, mechanical and thermal) compared to today’s widely used linear petroleum-based materials.

Avantium Renewable Polymers will open its Flagship Plant in 2024, producing 5kta of FDCA/PEF with the aim to demonstrate the technology and market at scale. As a technology developer, Avantium’s business model is to sell licenses of the YXY Technology, which should lead to FDCA/PEF factories globally, operating at large scale (> 100 kta) at affordable prices. In February 2024 we announced our first licensee to Origin Materials, a like-minded frontrunner in the transition to sustainable materials, based in the USA. To develop the market, ARNP works together with its licensees and further leading companies in several industries (food & beverage, cosmetics, apparel, etc.). Join us and our partners in the transition to a fossil-free world, transforming their sustainability pledges in actionable proof points!

As Business Development Manager Europe, you will join the Commercial Team of Avantium Renewable Polymers. Being at the forefront of sustainable innovation you will join an international and dynamic team headquartered in Amsterdam.

The Business Development Manager Europe will work closely with the Technical Application Manager Europe and report to the global Director Business Development.

What will you do? 

The aim of the Business Development Manager Europe role is to grow market demand of PEF in Europe by developing partnerships with brand owners and retail chains, creating pull through the large, integrated value chains through converters to the material and feedstock suppliers. In order to reach that goal, the BDM develops brand partnerships, communication plans and business cases in cooperation with the representatives of the partners in the FMCG industry, finally resulting in PEF (and FDCA) capacity reservations from Avantium’s future licensing plants.

A key responsibility is to develop and capture market demand in Europe. This also includes: 

Developing new partnerships with brand owners in food & beverage, fiber & textile market (apparel, outdoor and sportswear, home decoration and some technical applications) and cosmetics segments that have a good match in terms of their (sustainability) strategy and Avantium’s value proposition in the licensing phase.

Translating customer needs/requirements into attractive value proposition and develop the business case with the offtake partner together with the Technical Application Manager.

Putting the right commercial contracts in place with regard to goal setting, milestones, timing, resources as well as the relevant legal context (such as non-disclosure, material transfer, joint development, offtake agreement, capacity reservation etc.).

Responsibilities:

Product Branding: load the Avantium FDCA and PEF brand with the brand owners and retail partners, together building consumer preference and adoption for our customer’s products and/or brands.

Marketing & Communication: in collaboration with the team in Amsterdam, lead the marketing and communication activities in Europe (e.g., generating visibility, exhibitions, conferences, social media). Represent Avantium at conferences with the goal of increasing the general awareness on the product, building relationships with external contacts and lead generation.

Market insights: keep track of new market reports, collect relevant data, analyze and provide perspective regarding interest areas and relevance to assist the Director Business Development in translating market insight into strategic directions.

Reporting: opportunity; project progress; and forecasts to the team on a bi-weekly basis.

Follow up on incoming enquiries (e.g., Avantium website, network).

We are a small team, operating in Europe, Asia and the Americas. At times, when priorities require, you do not mind contributing or even stepping in for your peers in the other continents.

What do you bring? 

To be successful in this role, the Business Development Manager needs to be at home in the world of Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG). You understand their goals, their solutions, their challenges and way of working. Enthusiasm, resilience, a “can do mentality” and drive to make impact are the necessary skills to make our vision happen. You are a team player, because success can only be reached by working together with your colleagues, our partners and their value chain

We are looking for a Business Development Manager with the following background: 

Master or Bachelor degree in Business, Commercial, Marketing, Economical or broad Technical area (E.g. Industrial Engineering and Management, Energy and Environmental sciences, Product design, Economics, Marketing).

At least 5 year of experience in working with customers in a commercial role as Business Developer or Sales / Marketing.

Demonstrated work experience in FMGC industry (e.g., food & beverage, apparel and cosmetics segments), preferably, either directly employed or as a consultant.

Preferred: Familiar to operate in a technology driven industry, comfortable in intellectual property discussions and legal negotiations.

Excellent communication skills (both oral as written), PowerPoint skills, Excel skills (business case, data analysis) and LinkedIn as a sales tool

Experience in circular concepts, recycling and branding is advantageous.

Personal skills: Team worker, enthusiastic, critical, but can-do mentality, result-oriented, ability to work at tight deadlines.

Languages: Company language is English. Being able to speak additional languages is desirable.

Willingness to travel for 50% working time.

What do we offer?

Avantium is a small company with a big impact. Whilst contributing to a circular economy, we offer you a unique chance to learn a lot: in science, business and management, leading people and operations, market strategies, quality and last but not least safety. Learning paths can be steep, not depending on predefined career paths and development tracks. You are in the lead of your career, what you bring to the table will be noticed and taking initiative is rewarded and recognized. We have an informal result-oriented culture, a flat organization and we recognize and celebrate the many cultures that we represent. On top of that we offer good primary and secondary benefits.

Does this sound like you?
Let us know by applying through our website. If you have any questions you can reach our Corporate Recruiter Kylie Hoffman at kylie.hoffman@avantium.com or send a message to recruitment@avantium.com.

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