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 client is a mid-sized, international organization operating within the sustainable energy and chemical sectors. With multiple entities across Northern Europe, the company specializes in converting waste and residue streams into valuable resources for industries such as biofuel, feed production, and industrial chemicals. Driven by a strong commitment to the green transition, the organization combines entrepreneurial agility with technical expertise. Despite a significant market presence, the company maintains a flat structure, collaborative culture, and a high degree of individual impact, offering employees the opportunity to directly influence growth and innovation.
The Sourcing & Sales Manager (m/f/d) will play a key role in driving business growth by developing new sourcing channels and building long-term commercial relationships. The position combines strategic sourcing, technical sales, and relationship management across international markets, particularly within Scandinavia, Germany, and the Benelux region. The role is based primarily in Hamburg, with occasional travel to production sites and international partners.
Your duties and responsibilities will include:
- Identify and develop new international sourcing opportunities for raw materials
- Build and maintain a strong network of suppliers across target markets
- Execute proactive sourcing strategies, including cold outreach and lead generation
- Establish and nurture long-term, relationship-driven partnerships
- Conduct supplier negotiations to secure competitive and sustainable agreements
- Collaborate closely with subcontractors and external partners
- Manage sourcing of waste and residue streams for biofuel production
- Support sales activities related to technical products, including glycerine and related materials
- Coordinate cross-functionally with production, operations, and technical teams
- Analyze supplier markets and identify emerging opportunities
- Handle complex sourcing scenarios requiring technical understanding
- Contribute to both procurement and sales processes across multiple business units
- Travel internationally (~30 days/year) for supplier visits, conferences, and networking
- Monitor, document, and report sourcing and sales performance metrics
- Support overall revenue growth and raw material supply optimization
To be successful in this role, you should have the following skills and experiences:
- Minimum of three years of experience in sourcing, procurement, sales, or supply chain roles
- Knowledge of biofuel industries (biogas, biodiesel, bioenergy) is an advantage
- Fluent in German and English (written and spoken)
- Proven track record of building and maintaining long-term supplier relationships
- Strong negotiation skills with experience in commercial deal-making
- Demonstrated ability to identify and convert new business opportunities
- Experience working with industrial clients and technical product offerings
- Ability to translate technical specifications into clear commercial propositions
- High level of commercial acumen and business understanding
- Experience collaborating with cross-functional and technical teams
- Self-driven, proactive, and highly results-oriented mindset
- Strong persistence and resilience, especially in cold outreach situations
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
- Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and complex supplier environments
- Willingness to travel internationally as required