Business Development Director.

Accountabilities

You will own the US business development strategy and manage the complete commercial lifecycle, from identifying prospects and developing relationships to negotiating partnerships and supporting product launches.

US Market Development & Commercial Strategy

• Develop and execute the B2B commercial strategy across food, beverages, supplements, health, and wellness markets in the United States.

• Establish and scale the commercial presence in the US, building a strong pipeline and opening new market opportunities.

• Identify and engage potential customers through your professional network, including brands, manufacturers, product developers, R&D leaders, and senior commercial decision-makers.

• Develop relationships with both emerging challenger brands and established multinational businesses.

• Balance near-term revenue generation with strategic partnerships that can deliver substantial long-term growth.

Sales & Partnership Management

• Lead the full commercial cycle, from prospecting and qualification through product trials, negotiations, launch, and account development.

• Build consultative relationships with customers to identify suitable products, formats, inclusion levels, and consumer propositions.

• Translate complex microbiome science and clinical evidence into clear, compelling commercial propositions.

• Negotiate partnerships and make sound commercial decisions, balancing project economics with broader strategic opportunities.

• Identify opportunities for joint research, customer-specific studies, and evidence-backed health claims.

Market Intelligence & Business Development

• Represent the business at customer meetings, industry events, and conferences across the US.

• Share market intelligence with leadership and scientific teams, including customer feedback, competitive developments, and potential research priorities.

• Act as the primary source of customer and market insights to inform positioning, scientific programmes, and product development.

• Help define the future US operating model, including local manufacturing, technical support, supply chain capabilities, and team development.

Requirements

The ideal candidate is an experienced commercial leader with a strong background in B2B ingredient sales and the ability to build a market independently. You should combine strategic thinking, scientific curiosity, commercial judgment, and a hands-on approach to developing complex partnerships.

Required Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in strategic sales, business development, or partnerships within food ingredients, consumer packaged goods (CPG), or the broader food industry.

• Proven track record of selling functional, nutritional, or specialty ingredients to B2B customers in the US.

• Demonstrated ability to build relationships from scratch, develop complex partnerships, close commercial agreements, and drive revenue growth.

• Experience commercializing technical or science-led products and translating complex product information into clear, accessible customer propositions.

• Strong commercial judgment, including the ability to assess when an individual project may support a larger strategic relationship or long-term opportunity.

• Experience working in entrepreneurial, early-stage, or high-growth businesses.

• Ability to operate autonomously without an established US team or inbound sales pipeline, particularly as the sole commercial representative on the ground during the first year.

• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and maintain high personal accountability.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, including confidence engaging senior-level stakeholders.

• Strong negotiation and interpersonal skills, with experience managing relationships across diverse internal and external teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with prebiotic fibre, microbiome science, branded ingredients, or clinically supported health claims.

• Familiarity with the commercialization of science-backed nutrition, functional food, or wellness products.

Personal Attributes & Values

• Evidence-driven mindset, with a willingness to challenge assumptions and make objective, data-informed decisions.

• Collaborative approach and commitment to shared goals over individual recognition.

• Proactive, resourceful attitude and ability to create momentum in an evolving environment.

• Genuine curiosity about nutrition, fibre, microbiome science, and human health.

• High integrity, humility, and direct, thoughtful communication.

Benefits

• Opportunity to build and lead the US commercial market for clinically researched, peer-reviewed, and patent-protected precision fibre ingredients.

• Join the business at an important stage of growth and contribute to the expansion of fibre fortification across everyday consumer products.

• Work with differentiated ingredients designed to support gut health across different microbiomes.

• Commercialize versatile formulations that can be integrated into food, beverages, and supplements without materially changing taste or texture.

• Work directly with the founders and help shape the US commercial strategy.

• Significant autonomy and ownership as the first senior commercial hire in the US.

• Opportunity to build a platform for broader commercial leadership as the US business expands.

• Meaningful opportunity to contribute to long-term health through products people already consume every day.

• Remote position in the United States, with a preference for candidates based on the East Coast.

• Full-time commitment.