Requirements: English
Company: WhatJobs
Region: Meyrin , Geneva
We are very happy to introduce you to our latest client, Planetary Group.
About Planetary
Planetary is powering the bioeconomy. We are a venture capital-backed bioeconomy company headquartered in Switzerland, building industrial-scale biomanufacturing capacity and pioneering fermentation intellectual property (IP) globally with our proprietary BioBlocks platform. Our technology is licensed to leading agricultural players worldwide, enabling them to build, own, and operate critical infrastructure that extracts higher value from both main- and side-streams. Looking ahead, Planetary will expand from food into sustainable, fermentation-based biomaterials and cosmetics.
Job Summary
Title: Commercial Director / VP
Location: Geneva / Lausanne area, Switzerland
Start Date: March 2025 (or as soon as possible)
Compensation: Competitive, with participation in an attractive employee stock option plan
As our Commercial Director (B2B), you will spearhead the growth of our mycelium and precision fermentation-based meat and dairy alternative protein business. Reporting directly to the CEO, you will be responsible for developing go-to-market strategies, managing a high-performing commercial team, and driving sales targets that could eventually reach CHF 50m-100m. With significant market success and international expansion on the horizon, this role has strong potential to evolve into a Chief Commercial Officer position.
Key Responsibilities
Market Strategy & Business Development
- Develop and Execute Strategies: Craft go-to-market, pricing, and growth strategies for diverse regions and customer segments, including CPG brands, retail, foodservice, and distributors.
- Conduct Market Research: Monitor trends, perform competitive analysis, and deliver regular strategic insights to guide decision-making.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with product, production, R&D, and quality control teams to refine product offerings based on customer feedback.
Sales & Customer Management
- P&L Ownership: Manage the commercial P&L of our production site, setting and achieving key performance indicators (KPIs) for sales, profit, volume, and strategic growth.
- Sales Process Management: Oversee the entire sales cycle from prospecting and deal negotiation to closing and post-sale support while continuously optimizing logistics and customer satisfaction.
- Continuous Improvement: Drive business process automation and improvement initiatives to enhance commercial execution and expansion.
Marketing & Brand Positioning
- Brand Strategy: Develop and implement strategies that ensure a strong, consistent brand message across ingredient, white-label, and branded product spaces.
- Industry Representation: Represent Planetary at national and international conferences, trade fairs, and industry events, strengthening our brand and market presence.
Qualifications & Experience
- Experience: 5-10 years of direct sales or business development experience in the food domain (meat, non-meat, dairy), ideally with a focus on B2B ingredients sales.
- Industry Expertise: Demonstrable interest and experience in the meat and dairy alternative protein industry.
- Leadership & Relationship Building: A hands-on, people-focused leader with a proven track record in building trusted relationships and closing strategic deals.
- Strategic & Operational Acumen: Ability to manage complex P&L responsibilities, multitask efficiently, and prioritize key strategic initiatives.
- Languages: Fluency in English is required; proficiency in German and/or French is a strong plus.
- Travel: Willingness and ability to travel extensively across Switzerland and internationally.
Benefits & Compensation
Planetary offers a competitive salary package and an attractive employee stock option plan. In addition, we provide:
- Opportunities for professional development and career growth
- A dynamic, innovative, and inclusive work environment
- Potential relocation support (if applicable)
Recruitment Process
Our recruitment process may include up to four rounds of interviews, both virtual and in-person. The process typically covers:
- Initial Screening: Discussion of experience and cultural fit.
- Technical/Role-Specific Assessment: Focused on market strategy, sales process, and leadership skills.
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