(Senior) Business Development Manager Europe

Who are we?  

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 you fit in:  

Within the Business Unit Avantium Renewable Polymers (ARNP) we are working on the commercialization of Avantium’s proprietary 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 is commercialized through the brand name releaf®. releaf® 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 is currently starting up its first Flagship Plant and in the second half of 2026 it will be 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 operating at large scale (>100 kta) and lower cost of production. To develop the market, ARNP works together with its licensees and other 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 reports to the Commercial Director.  

What will you do?  

The aim of the Business Development Manager Europe role is to grow market demand of releaf® by developing partnerships with brand owners, retail chains, converters and distributors, amongst others in the European region. The Business Development Manager Europe will work closely with the Technical Application Manager Europe.  

Avantium is currently hiring Business Development Managers for both the European and the Americas markets. The scope of each role will depend on the seniority of the successful candidate and the overall team composition. For a senior-level hire, the role includes a strong strategic market development component alongside hands-on business development. For a mid-level hire, the role is focused on executing commercial projects, developing partnerships, and converting opportunities within an established commercial strategy. Below are the key responsibilities specified per level. 

Additional responsibilities for a senior candidate: 

• Define market development strategy and approach to commercialize PEF in the European market, with a main focus on food & beverage.  
• Provide strategic input and direction on market positioning, target segments, and partnership models, in close collaboration with the Commercial Director. 
• Develop and maintain a network of senior stakeholders in the food and beverage industry in Europe.  

Core responsibilities for all candidates: 

• Generate and develop new partnerships with brand owners and converters that have a good match in terms of their (sustainability) strategy and Avantium’s value proposition. 
• Come to projects with brand owners and retail, 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, etc.). 
• Convert these projects into a pipeline of offtake agreements and capacity reservations for Avantium’s licensees and drive these to commercialization. 
• Marketing & Communication; Represent Avantium at conferences with the goal of increasing the general awareness on the product, building relationships with external contacts and lead generation. 
• Report opportunity & project progress and forecasts to the Commercial Director.  

We are a small team, operating in Europe, 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.   

More specifically, we have the following requirements for the Business Development Manager Europe; 

• Master or Bachelor degree in Business, Commercial, Marketing, Economical or Technical area. 
• Between 5 and 10 year of experience in working with customers in a commercial role as Business Developer or Sales / Marketing in the plastics, packaging or polymer industry, preferably in Europe, is a must.  
• Work experience in FMCG industry (e.g., food & beverage, apparel and cosmetics segments) is required. Having an existing network in this industry is highly desirable.  
• Familiar to operate in a technology driven industry, comfortable in sales and legal negotiations. 
• Experience in value selling or concept selling of preferably sustainable and/or technical solutions. 
• Excellent communication skills (both oral as written), PowerPoint skills, Excel skills (business case, data analysis) and LinkedIn as a sales tool 
• Personal skills: Team worker, hands-on, enthusiastic, critical, but can-do mentality, result-oriented, ability to work at tight deadlines.  
• Languages: Our company language is English. Being able to speak Dutch, German or French is desirable.  
• You’re living in the Netherlands and are eligible to work in The Netherlands. It’s not possible to relocate candidates from abroad unfortunately.  
• Your base location is the Avantium headquarter in Amsterdam. You are willing to travel to (potential) partners and customers in Europe for 30% of your time.  

We have a hybrid working culture, enabling the benefits of working from home while fostering an inspirational working environment. Avantium employees work on average 3 days per week at the office.  

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.  

Interested?  

Let us know by applying through the website. If you have any questions, you can reach our HR Business partner Sil Bartlema at [email protected] .