ABOUT DEPARTER - THE KNOW-WHO PEOPLE
Departer is a leading German Executive Search firm with over 20 years of experience in global leadership recruitment. We specialize in placing executives in medium-sized enterprises and private equity portfolio firms across DACH, MEAI, ASIA, and ANZ regions. With a deep understanding of the DACH economy, we facilitate successful placements within global management teams across corporate headquarters and entities abroad.
Our European client is a mid-sized international organization operating within the sustainable energy and circular economy sectors. With multiple entities across Northern Europe, the company specializes in transforming waste and residue streams into valuable resources for applications in biofuels, feed, oleochemicals, and industrial chemicals. Driven by a strong commitment to the green transition, the organization combines entrepreneurial agility with deep market expertise. Despite its significant market presence, the company maintains a flat structure, collaborative culture, and a high degree of individual impact, offering employees the opportunity to directly contribute to growth and innovation.
The Business Development & Sourcing Manager (m/f/d)will play a key role in expanding the company’s commercial footprint by developing new sourcing channels and establishing long-term partnerships with industrial producers and suppliers. The role combines relationship management, business development, and strategic sourcing activities across international markets, with a strong focus on the DACH market and selected Northern European countries.
The position can be based in Hamburg or remotely anywhere within Germany, with regular travel to suppliers, production sites, industry events, and international partners.
Your duties and responsibilities will include:
- Identify and develop new sourcing channels and commercial opportunities for raw materials and residue streams
- Build, maintain, and expand a strong network of suppliers and industry contacts across Germany, Scandinavia, and the Benelux region
- Develop and maintain relationships with industrial producers, processors, and key stakeholders across food, oleochemical, and related industries
- Establish long-term, relationship-driven partnerships with industrial producers and strategic stakeholders
- Negotiate commercial agreements and ensure a reliable and sustainable supply base
- Collaborate closely with external partners, subcontractors, and logistics providers
- Support the sourcing and commercialization of raw materials and by-products for applications in biofuels, feed, oleochemicals, and industrial chemicals
- Manage and develop existing customer and supplier relationships while identifying new business opportunities
- Work closely with operations, production, technical, and commercial teams across multiple business units
- Analyze market developments, supplier landscapes, and emerging opportunities
- Contribute to both sourcing and commercial activities across international markets
- Represent the company at supplier visits, industry events, conferences, and networking activities
- Support overall revenue growth and long-term supply optimization
To be successful in this role, you should have the following skills and experiences:
- Several years of experience in business development, sales, sourcing, procurement, or supply chain roles within industrial or process-related industries
- Proven track record in building and maintaining long-term customer and supplier relationships
- Strong commercial and negotiation skills with experience in contract discussions and deal-making
- Experience in identifying and developing new business opportunities and supplier networks
- Exposure to food ingredients, edible oils, fats & oils, oleochemicals, glycerine, chemicals, agricultural commodities, waste streams, or related industries is considered an advantage
- Knowledge of biofuels, bioenergy, biodiesel, or circular economy markets is beneficial, but not required
- Existing relationships and industry networks within food production, edible oils, fats & oils, oleochemicals, glycerine, agricultural commodities, waste streams, or related industrial sectors would be highly advantageous
- Experience working with industrial clients and commercially driven products or solution offerings
- High level of commercial acumen and business understanding
- Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional and technical teams
- Self-driven, entrepreneurial, and results-oriented mindset with a hands-on approach
- Excellent communication and presentation skills in German and English
- Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and complex commercial environments
- Willingness to travel internationally