Join Us in Shaping the Future of Materials!
We are a fast-growing startup, an ETH Zurich spin-off, pioneering sustainable biomaterials made from microorganisms. Our mission is to develop high-performance, renewable functional ingredients designed to replace petroleum-based additives and materials in applications such as cosmetics, adhesives, and advanced composites.
Position Overview
We are seeking a senior, commercially driven professional with deep industry expertise and a well-established network. You will actively shape segment-specific market access strategies, build a customer portfolio, and create a market development pipeline to ensure significant commercial revenue growth for Treeless AG.
This role requires a profound understanding of the cosmetics and/or adhesives ingredient markets—including supply chain organization, decision-making structures, pricing patterns, specific value proposition requirements, contracting practices, and long-term commercial partnerships.
Key Responsibilities
Revenue Ownership & Business Development: You will be fully accountable for early commercial success:
- Take primary responsibility for driving early revenues through winning commercial collaborations, ensuring disciplined progression and conversion into revenue-generating commercial contracts.
- Leverage your existing network to open doors primarily with cosmetic and adhesive manufacturers and ingredient distributors.
- Identify, approach, and engage the right stakeholders across organizations.
- Lead commercial negotiations and close agreements.
- Build and manage a robust commercial pipeline with a clear path to recurring revenues, supported by structured pipeline management/CRM tools.
Technical Sales & Customer Interface: You will act as the commercial owner of key customer relationships, ensuring effective coordination between customers and Treeless’ internal technical experts:
- Serve as the main commercial point of contact for customers and partners.
- Own, strategize, and steer technical-commercial discussions in close collaboration with Treeless’ product innovation teams.
- Lead the conversion of technical validation into commercial agreements and long-term supply partnerships, working closely with internal R&D and external partners to develop customer-ready commercial and technical documentation.
Market, Pricing & Value Proposition Development: You will shape how Treeless competes:
- Apply your understanding of typical pricing ranges, margins, and purchasing logic in sectors such as cosmetics and adhesives.
- Position Treeless ingredients clearly against incumbent solutions and competitive alternatives.
Requirements
- Higher degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, or a related technical field. A business background with strong technical exposure is also welcome.
- 3+ years of experience in technical sales, business development, procurement, or key account management in cosmetic ingredients, adhesive ingredients, specialty chemicals, functional additives, or related materials industries.
- Proven track record of winning business, closing contracts, and generating revenue in B2B.
- Strong existing industry network with manufacturers, distributors, and key decision-makers.
- Deep understanding of industry supply chains, purchasing structures, qualification processes, and decision dynamics.
- Excellent negotiation, communication, relational, and stakeholder management skills.
- Fluent in English and German; French is a plus.
- Willingness to travel as required out of the Greater Zurich Area, Switzerland.
Nice to Have
- Experience introducing new or disruptive materials into conservative or regulated markets.
- Cumulative experience in large international companies and startups.
- Experience with long sales cycles and scale-up transitions.
Soft Skills & Mindset
- Strong entrepreneurial and ownership mindset.
- Team player and constructive partner for founders and colleagues.
- Highly results-driven, with a clear focus on revenue and impact.
- Credible, confident, and persuasive at the senior stakeholder level.
- Strategic thinker with hands-on execution ability.
- Comfortable working in an early-stage, fast-moving startup environment.
- Resilient, persistent, and motivated by building something new.
What We Offer
We provide a key commercial leadership role in a purpose-driven deep-tech biotech startup, with a direct impact on the company’s early revenue generation and market positioning. You will play a central role in shaping Treeless’ commercial success and long-term partnerships.
Collaborating with an experienced founding team, you will gain exposure to cutting-edge biomaterials technology while benefiting from a flexible, collaborative environment focused on impact and innovation. We offer a competitive compensation package that aligns with responsibility and performance.
Location & Work Details
- Location: Zurich / Greater Zurich Area
- Start Date: To be agreed
- Language: English and German; French is a plus
- Workload: 80-100 %, candidates must be eligible to work in Switzerland
How to Apply
If this opportunity excites you and you believe you would be a great fit, we’d love to hear from you. Apply online using the form below. Please note that only applications matching the job profile will be considered.