Business Development Director – Paper & Packaging (Europe)

About the Opportunity

Our client is a leading international manufacturing group with a strong global footprint and ambitious growth plans across Europe. As part of its continued international expansion, the company is seeking an experienced commercial professional to accelerate business development within the European industrial paper market.

This is a highly strategic role responsible for developing new downstream customers and expanding long-term partnerships across the paper converting and printing industries.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute commercial strategies to grow the Industrial Paper business across Europe.
• Identify, develop and manage relationships with paper converters, printers, packaging manufacturers and other downstream customers.
• Expand the customer base for jumbo roll paper products across various industrial applications.
• Drive new business opportunities while strengthening long-term strategic partnerships with key accounts.
• Work closely with manufacturing, supply chain and technical teams to deliver value-added solutions to customers.
• Monitor market trends, customer needs and competitive activities, providing commercial insights to support business growth.
• Negotiate commercial agreements and manage the entire sales cycle from opportunity identification to contract execution.
• Represent the company at key industry events, trade exhibitions and customer meetings across Europe.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or above in Business, Engineering, Paper Science or a related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of sales or business development experience within the paper, packaging, printing or converting industry.
• Well-established network among European paper converters, printers and downstream industrial paper customers.
• Strong understanding of industrial paper products, converting processes and value chain dynamics.
• Demonstrated success in developing new business and managing strategic customer relationships across multiple European markets.
• Experience in the Nordic paper industry (Finland, Sweden or Norway) would be a strong advantage.
• Excellent commercial judgement, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Fluent English is required.
• Mandarin Chinese proficiency is highly preferred due to frequent collaboration with global business stakeholders in Asia.
• Willingness to travel extensively across Europe.

Location

Flexible within Europe, with preference for candidates based in the Nordic region (Finland, Sweden or Norway).