Company Overview

Our client is a global chemicals and materials company with multi-billion in sales and operations worldwide.

Job Description

Outstanding opportunity to take a pioneering business development role in our client’s advanced polymer materials business. This role is responsible for developing fundamental new business across automotive, particularly in battery development and other emerging market applications.

The appointee will initially focus on market assessment and mapping out accessible opportunities, then build senior level relationships, potentially to CXO level, initiate co-development programs, upsell and fill the pipeline with leads, then drive initial strategic sales to success, plus potentially evaluate JV / M&A opportunities as they arise. Prospective clients are automotive tier 1 OEM’s developing battery technology vehicles, but also suppliers across the automotive value chain.

Critical requirements are excellence in finding and assessing commercial opportunities though outstanding knowledge of, and contacts within, the target markets, plus outstanding influencing skills, both external and internal to drive a matrix functional team and strong entrepreneurial and decision-making skills.

The role is ideally based in Switzerland, at our client’s European headquarters or remotely in Germany or Benelux and reports to the Global Head of Sales for the Advanced Performance Materials business (based in Europe).

Job Requirements

• Ten years plus experience in solution sales to, or working within, the automotive value chain, up to tier 1 OEM’s and an excellent network with these markets
• Skilled in forming senior level relationships and posses clear executive presence
• Entrepreneurial mentality. Enjoys developing new business with new customers
• Deep understanding of how to develop customer demand by selling solutions
• Successful track record of developing and closing opportunities with clients
• Prior experience working with colleagues internationally is an advantage
• Technical degree. Chemistry / engineering related is helpful, but not critical
• M&A and alternative deal structure experience is helpful, but not critical
• Excellent command of English a must, other languages a plus
• Effective working / influencing remotely with little supervision
• Willing to travel 25-50% (dependent on local COVID restrictions)