Partnerships Manager

Hartmann Young is partnering with an innovative biotechnology company at the forefront of fungal fermentation and next-generation ingredient innovation.

This fast-scaling business is leveraging fungal biotechnology to develop breakthrough solutions with applications across food, biotechnology, materials, and other industrial markets. With a strong scientific foundation and a highly collaborative culture, the company is focused on commercialising cutting-edge technologies through strategic partnerships and innovation-led growth.

With 80 employees and a deeply scientific culture, the business is now entering an exciting commercial phase and is looking to appoint a Partnerships Professional to identify, develop, and manage strategic collaborations that bring its technologies to market.

The Opportunity

This is a high-impact role sitting at the intersection of science and business, working closely with senior leadership and cross-functional technical teams. You will play a key role in identifying commercial opportunities, developing strategic partnerships, and translating complex scientific innovations into real-world applications across multiple industries.

Based in Hamburg, you will own partnership development from initial market assessment through to commercial negotiations and long-term relationship management.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and develop strategic partnerships across biotechnology, food ingredients, materials, and adjacent innovation markets
• Build relationships with industry leaders, research organisations, technology partners, and commercial collaborators
• Evaluate emerging markets, industry trends, and new application areas for the company's technology platform
• Develop partnership frameworks, commercial proposals, and go-to-market strategies for new innovations
• Translate complex scientific capabilities into compelling commercial value propositions
• Work closely with internal R&D teams to identify technologies with strong commercial potential
• Lead commercial negotiations and structure partnership agreements including co-development, licensing, and strategic collaborations
• Manage partnerships end-to-end, ensuring long-term value creation and successful execution

Ideal Profile

• 6-8 years' experience in strategic partnerships, business development, innovation commercialisation, or technology licensing
• Scientific background in Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Food Science, Bioengineering, or a related discipline (MSc or PhD preferred)
• Experience commercialising complex scientific or technical innovations within biotechnology, foodtech, bio-based materials, or related sectors
• Strong commercial acumen with experience developing business cases, partnership models, and commercial strategies
• Proven ability to communicate technical concepts to commercial stakeholders and executive audiences
• Excellent negotiation, stakeholder management, and relationship-building skills
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to operate in a fast-moving, innovation-led environment
• Based in or open to relocating to Hamburg; German language skills beneficial but not essential

If you're excited by the opportunity to bridge science and business while helping commercialise breakthrough biotechnology through strategic partnerships, we'd love to hear from you..