Commercial Lead - Functional Ingredients

(Senior) Commercial Lead - Functional Ingredients (Cosmetics & Adhesives) (80-100%)
Join us in shaping the future of materials!
We are a fast-growing startup, a ETH Zurich Spin-off, pioneering sustainable biomaterials made from microorganisms. We develop high-performance, renewable functional ingredients designed to replace petroleum-based additives and materials in applications such as cosmetics, adhesives or advanced composites.
We are now looking for a senior, commercially driven professional with deep industry expertise and a solidly established network to actively shape segment-specific market access strategies, build a customer portfolio and a market development pipeline to ensure solid commercial revenue growth for Treeless AG.
This role is requiring a deep, practical understanding of the cosmetics and/or adhesives ingredient markets - including supply chain organization, decision-making structures, pricing pattern and logics, specific value propositions requirements, contracting practices as well as 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 - Commercial Lead
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 Greater Zurich Area, Switzerland
Nice to have
Experience introducing new or disruptive materials into conservative or regulated markets
Cumulated experience in big international groups and start-ups
Experience with long sales cycles, and scale-up transitions
Soft skills & mindset
Strong entrepreneurial and ownership mindset
Team-player and sparring partner for Founders and colleagues
Highly results-driven, with a clear focus on revenue and impact
Credible, confident, and persuasive at 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 offer a key commercial leadership role in a purpose-driven deep-tech biotech startup, with 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.
You will work closely with an experienced founding team, gain exposure to cutting-edge biomaterials technology, and benefit from a flexible, collaborative environment focused on impact and innovation. We offer a competitive compensation package aligned with responsibility and performance.
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 jid301cdeapn jit0311pn jiy26pn