Reports to: Commercial Director
About the Company:
Our client is a fast-growing, mission-led biotechnology company developing innovative, sustainable ingredients for the global pet food industry. Using advanced science and a circular production model, they create high-value nutritional ingredients while significantly reducing environmental impact and supporting a more resilient food system.
They operate a high-growth, scale-up environment, with strong backing, a collaborative culture, and a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and flexible working.
This business is ideal for someone who wants to contribute to a company solving real environmental challenges—particularly through transforming how key nutritional components are produced for pet food.
The Opportunity:
As Commercial Sales Manager for the Pet Food Market, you will take ownership of developing and executing the sales strategy across Europe, North America, and other key global regions.
You will lead the full commercial cycle—from targeting and securing new customers to expanding existing accounts—while working closely with senior leadership to shape long-term commercial growth.
This role suits a proactive, relationship-focused sales professional who thrives in a dynamic, purpose-driven business and has strong familiarity with the pet food or ingredient supply chain.
Key Responsibilities Sales Strategy & Delivery
- Develop and implement a commercial sales strategy targeting high-growth opportunities in the pet food ingredients market.
- Own and deliver revenue and growth targets set with the senior commercial team.
- Build and maintain a strong, qualified pipeline to secure long-term customer partnerships.
- Build relationships with key decision-makers including buyers, technical teams, procurement, and R&D.
- Identify, qualify, and convert new opportunities and partnerships.
- Understand customer requirements and market trends to influence commercial positioning, messaging, and product direction.
- Produce accurate sales forecasts, performance dashboards, and reports for the leadership team.
- Provide insights on market dynamics, customer needs, and competitor activity.
- Work closely with operations, marketing, and R&D to ensure consistent customer delivery.
- Act as the “voice of the customer” in product development discussions.
- Support the development of go-to-market strategies.
Essential Experience
- 5+ years in sales, commercial management, or business development within the pet food ingredient sector, or a closely related ingredient industry (e.g., feed, nutrition, speciality ingredients).
- Demonstrated success in hitting sales targets, managing key accounts, and closing commercial deals.
- Strong knowledge of the pet food sector and a relevant network across Europe and/or North America.
- Experience delivering sales strategies in a start-up, scale-up, or high-growth environment.
- Proficiency with CRM systems and forecasting tools.
- Experience in sustainability-led businesses or circular production models.
- Degree in Business, Marketing, Life Sciences, or similar (MBA is a plus).
- Commercially astute, ambitious, and results-driven.
- A confident communicator and negotiator.
- A self-starter who can adapt quickly and manage multiple priorities.
- Customer-focused with strong problem-solving abilities.
- Collaborative and comfortable working cross-functionally in a growing team.
- Competitive salary(DOE) plus discretionary annual performance bonus.
- 32 days holiday, flexible working options, and a holiday purchase scheme.
- Pension contribution, cycle-to-work and salary sacrifice schemes, and free on-site parking.
- Wellbeing perks such as 50% contribution to gym membership and regular social events.
- Significant career development opportunities within a rapidly scaling, mission-led organisation.
- A chance to directly contribute to a more sustainable pet food industry through innovative biotech solutions.
