Senior Commercial Lead - Functional Ingredients; Cosmetics & Adhesives

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. We develop high‑performance, renewable functional ingredients designed to replace petroleum‑based additives and materials in applications such as cosmetics, adhesives, or advanced composites.

• Revenue Ownership & Business Development
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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