Business Development Manager

Business Development Manager (5087)

Requisition ID 5087 - Posted 07/22/2025 - Protective Materials - Nonwovens BU - Sales Industrial Nonwovens - Brignoud - Posting Country (10)

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You have a choice of where you want to work !

Ahlstrom is uniquely positioned as the global leader in a broad range of sustainable and technically advanced specialty materials.

Building further on our strong positioning offers an exciting opportunity to capture additional value from growing markets by combining our knowledge, innovation power and longstanding customer relationships.

Megatrends such as higher air and water quality requirements, restrictions on use of harmful chemicals, increasing health awareness, energy, and material efficiency as well as plastic to paper substitution and e-commerce in packing will create growth opportunities for us.

Acting on these opportunities and contributing more to a better world is the right thing for us.

Are you with us?

About the opportunity:

Find and commercialize new business opportunities in key segmentsinitially focusing on Agriculture in line with our strategic objectives for sustainable growth. This involves driving global market penetration from our plants, cultivating strategic partnerships, and rapidly delivering innovative solutions that meet both revenue and sustainability targets.

Main responsibilities / key tasks

Investigate global market dynamics, with a primary focus on Agriculture, and secondary in New Construction/Insulation, identifying where our paper/nonwoven solutions can provide a competitive edge.

Leverage industry trends, customer insights, and sustainability requirements to shape go-to-market strategies.

Acquire new customers and scale revenue by partnering with key industry players, influencers, and solution providers.

Negotiate contracts, close deals, and ensure profitability by setting competitive product positioning and pricing.

Collaborate closely with Product Development and Marketing to prepare launches, pilot innovations, capture feedback, and refine products for market success.

Translate customer pains and gains into clear requirements to guide R D and product roadmaps.

Develop compelling, sustainability-driven value propositions for target segments.

Work with the Group Marketing team to create impactful sales and promotional materials, emphasizing environmental and economic benefits.

Track tons, revenue, and profitability (Margin Over Variable Cost - MOVC), aligned with annual targets from the Blueprint.

Communicate progress, challenges, and market insights regularly to internal stakeholders, recommending adjustments for strategic alignment.

Internal stakeholders

Head of Sales (Industrial Nonwovens Business Line) - Direct reporting line

Product Development Team & Product Manager - Collaborate on innovation, product trials, and roadmap development.

Sales Team & Group Marketing - Align go-to-market activities, branding, and communication strategies.

Group Innovation/R D & Group Sustainability - Ensure solutions meet sustainability criteria and leverage advanced technical expertise

External stakeholders

Customers & Potential Indirect Customers (Agriculture, New Construction, Insulation) - Drive adoption and long-term partnerships.

Industry Influencers & Solutions Providers - Forge relationships to expand market reach and stay ahead of competitive trends.

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Business, Engineering, Agriculture, or related fields preferred.

Equivalent work experience in paper/nonwovens or similar B2B materials industries is also valued.

Years of relevant experience

Minimum 7 years in business development or an international sales role with a proven track record of driving growth from concept to launch.

Language skills

Fluency in English is required.

French or other additional languages are an advantage.

Specific skills / competences

International Growth Mindset - Adept at identifying and scaling opportunities across diverse regions.

Negotiation & Communication - Skilled at closing complex deals, presenting to varied audiences, and influencing key decision-makers.

Sustainability Orientation - Passion for environmental responsibility, with the ability to integrate sustainability into product and market strategies.

Adaptability - Able to pivot in a dynamic environment and travel globally (up to 50% of the time) as business needs evolve.

Technical Curiosity - Interest in learning about paper/nonwoven solutions and the willingness to delve into new segments (e.g., Agriculture, Insulation).

Travel - Willingless to travel extensively (50% of the time)

Experience - Experience from paper and/or expertise in Agriculture industry is considered an advantage

Ahlstrom is a global leader in combining fibers into sustainable specialty materials. Join our journey to create a more sustainable world with products and solutions that Purify and Protect, with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World. Our three divisions, Filtration and Life Sciences, Food and Consumer Packaging, and Protective Materials, address global trends with safe and sustainable solutions.

We are deeply committed to building and maintaining safe and inclusive environment and culture, where everyone feels valued and respected. At Ahlstrom, we all have equal opportunities to belong and reach our full potential.

Our net sales in 2024 amounted to EUR 3.0 billion and we employ some 6,800 people. Read more at www.ahlstrom.com