Auf einen Blick
- Aufgaben: Lead the charge in developing the plant-based cheese market across Europe.
- Arbeitgeber: Vandemoortele is passionate about taste and values diversity in its workforce.
- Mitarbeitervorteile: Enjoy a people-oriented environment with opportunities for growth and travel.
- Warum dieser Job: Shape the future of plant-based cheese while building strong customer relationships.
- Gewünschte Qualifikationen: Master’s degree and 5 years of B2B sales experience required; entrepreneurial spirit a must.
- Andere Informationen: Willingness to travel 40-60% of the time is essential.
Das voraussichtliche Gehalt liegt zwischen 43200 - 72000 € pro Jahr.
European Business Development Manager Plant-Based Cheese
Ready to shape a tasty future together?
“Shaping a tasty future”, with passion for taste & indulgence: that makes working at Vandemoortele attractive. You will get all the chances to grow within a people oriented and value driven environment, where cooperation, respect and ambition are key. We believe that actively prioritizing a high level of diversity in our workforce creates a competitive advantage.
Your key responsibilities?
Looking for new profitable growth, Vandemoortele Plant-Based Food Solutions (PBFS) is venturing into the adjacent market of plant-based cheese. To support the market entry, initial product prototypes have already been developed and benchmarked in R&D, yet the first steps in commercialization still need to be taken. The European Business Development Manager will scout for and initiate the first business in plant-based cheese.
The objective would be to segment channels into priority and non-priority customers, finetune the product portfolio requirements for priority customer segments, and then hunt for new business. The main task of the Business Development Manager will be to contact and visit new prospects, understanding their needs and turning them into sales. In this role, the Business Development Manager will report directly to the Strategy & Innovation Manager of PBFS, supported by other key members and functional teams of PBFS: the Marketing Director, the two Commercial Directors, dedicated R&D teams, central marketing teams, and local commercial teams. The main countries to cover are Germany, France, BeNeLux, Spain, and Italy, with potential for further countries in due time. Consequently, the Business Development Manager will be expected to travel 40 to 60% of their time to visit customers, prospects, fairs, and congresses.
- Market Analysis & Segmentation:
- Conduct market analysis (in collaboration with Marketing) to uncover opportunities and competitive dynamics in the plant-based cheese sector.
- Segment customers effectively, creating detailed maps of the competitive landscape to identify key players and potential opportunities.
- Customer Targeting & Prioritization:
- Strategically prioritize customer segments, evaluating volume and growth potential across various subsegments.
- Develop compelling differentiation arguments to position the products as the go-to choice for customers.
- Customer Acquisition & Relationship Building:
- Proactively hunt for new customers within priority segments, gaining deep insights into their needs, strategies, products, services, pricing, and environments.
- Cultivate strong relationships with potential customers through regular visits and personalized engagement.
- Solution Development:
- Collaborate with R&D to design and deliver innovative product solutions that meet the specific technical requirements of our customers – feedback from the market.
- Stay ahead of market trends to inform and inspire future product innovations.
- Drive sales growth by negotiating contracts that deliver value for both our customers and our company.
- Take co-responsibility for the Plant-Based Cheese P&L, contributing to the financial success and market leadership of Vandemoortele.
Are you the one we’re looking for?
- You hold a master’s degree in Engineering (Chemistry/Agriculture/Bio is a strong plus), Business Engineering, or Economics.
- You have a minimum of 5 years of experience in B2B (technical) sales, ideally in cheese and/or ready meals.
- You have experience in hunting new customers and exploring new markets.
- Above all, you have a very entrepreneurial, driven, and winning spirit.
- You have a well-developed analytical, conceptual, and synthetic mindset. At the same time, you are pragmatic, problem-solving, and looking for initiative.
- You are result-oriented and have an insatiable curiosity for new markets and segments.
- You are highly flexible, proactive, and stress-resistant.
- You are a team player, with a hands-on mentality and a high degree of integrity.
- You are genuinely interested in the business and its markets.
- You can create trustful relations.
- You are willing to travel (short trips) 40 to 60% of your time.
- You have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, written and verbal, in English. Knowledge of additional languages (e.g., German, French) is a plus.
Join us in making sweet memories!
We look forward to welcoming you to our delicious journey!
Submit your updated CV and compelling cover letter (optional) highlighting your relevant experience and motivation.
#ShareOurTasteForLife
#J-18808-Ljbffr
European Business Development Manager Plant-Based Cheese Arbeitgeber: Vandemoortele

Kontaktperson:
Vandemoortele HR Team
StudySmarter Bewerbungstipps 🤫
So bekommst du den Job: European Business Development Manager Plant-Based Cheese
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the plant-based cheese market. Research current trends, key players, and consumer preferences in this sector. This knowledge will help you engage in meaningful conversations with potential customers and demonstrate your expertise.
✨Tip Number 2
Network actively within the food industry, especially focusing on plant-based products. Attend relevant trade fairs, conferences, and seminars to meet potential clients and partners. Building relationships in person can significantly enhance your chances of landing this role.
✨Tip Number 3
Develop a strong understanding of B2B sales strategies, particularly in the food sector. Be prepared to discuss how you can apply these strategies to identify and prioritize customer segments effectively, as this is crucial for the Business Development Manager role.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your entrepreneurial spirit by sharing examples of how you've successfully hunted for new customers or explored new markets in your previous roles. Highlighting your proactive approach will resonate well with Vandemoortele's values and expectations.
Diese Fähigkeiten machen dich zur top Bewerber*in für die Stelle: European Business Development Manager Plant-Based Cheese
Tipps für deine Bewerbung 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience in B2B sales, particularly in the food industry. Emphasize any experience you have with plant-based products or cheese, as well as your educational background in Engineering or Economics.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Although optional, a well-written cover letter can set you apart. Use it to express your passion for the plant-based food sector and how your entrepreneurial spirit aligns with Vandemoortele's mission. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to hunt for new customers and explore new markets.
Highlight Your Analytical Skills: In your application, showcase your analytical mindset by discussing any market analysis or segmentation work you've done in previous roles. This is crucial for the Business Development Manager position, so provide concrete examples of how you've identified opportunities in the past.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since excellent interpersonal and communication skills are essential for this role, make sure to highlight instances where you've successfully built relationships with clients or stakeholders. If you have experience communicating in multiple languages, especially German or French, be sure to mention that as well.
Wie du dich auf ein Vorstellungsgespräch bei Vandemoortele vorbereitest
✨Show Your Passion for Plant-Based Products
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for plant-based cheese and the food industry during the interview. Share any personal experiences or insights that highlight your genuine interest in this market, as it aligns with Vandemoortele's mission of shaping a tasty future.
✨Demonstrate Your Market Knowledge
Prepare to discuss current trends in the plant-based cheese sector and how they impact customer needs. Being able to articulate your understanding of market dynamics and competitive landscapes will showcase your analytical skills and readiness for the role.
✨Highlight Your Customer Acquisition Experience
Be ready to share specific examples from your past roles where you successfully hunted for new customers and explored new markets. Discuss your strategies for building relationships and how you turned prospects into loyal clients, as this is crucial for the Business Development Manager position.
✨Emphasize Your Collaborative Spirit
Since the role involves working closely with various teams, illustrate your ability to collaborate effectively. Share instances where you partnered with R&D or marketing teams to develop innovative solutions, demonstrating your team player mentality and hands-on approach.