General Manager Sales & Marketing

The organisation

Mitsubishi Corporation Life Sciences (MCLS) stands at the forefront of innovation in the life sciences sector, committed to enhancing the quality of life through cutting-edge technology and sustainable practices. Specialising in the development and production of high-value food ingredients, health materials, pharmaceutical components, and cosmetic solutions, MCLS is dedicated to addressing the needs of a rapidly evolving global market.

Harnessing advanced microbial fermentation and cell culture processing technologies, the Company ensures the highest standards of quality, safety, and efficacy in its products. By focusing on research and development, MCLS continuously pushes the boundaries of what is possible, creating new and improved solutions that benefit both people and the environment.

The Company’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its efforts to promote a healthier and more enjoyable food culture, develop environmentally friendly products, and implement practices that minimise its ecological footprint. With a global reach and a customer-centric approach, MCLS partners with clients across various industries to deliver tailored solutions that drive innovation and success.

Due to changes in MCLS Europe leadership team there is an imminent need for a General Manager Sales & Marketing to further develop the business and commercialisation of MCLS’s products and solutions.

MCLS has state of the art office and lab facilities based in Amstelveen, The Netherlands (frequent travel around 50% primarily in Europe and occasionally to intercontinental, e.g. Japan).

MCLS Vision: powered by life sciences, we explore flavour, health, and beauty for the well-being of all people and a sustainable global environment.

Corporate Principles

• Corporate Responsibility to Society (Shoki Hoko): strive to enrich society, both materially and spiritually, while contributing towards the preservation of the global environment.
• Integrity and Fairness (Shoji Komei): maintain principles of transparency and openness, conducting business with integrity and fairness.
• Global Understanding Through Business (Ritsugyo Boeki): expand business, based on an all-encompassing global perspective.

Core Values

• Challenge: transform ideas into reality, turn change into opportunity, and keep moving forward.
• Co-creation: build a better future by harnessing our diverse strengths.
• Integrity: always be sincere in our relationships with people, society, and the environment.

The position

The General Manager Sales & Marketing EMEA is accountable for business development and commercialisation of MCLS products in Europe, Middle East and (South) Africa. This role requires close alignment with MCLS product owners as well as collaboration with R&D and other stakeholders. The General Manager Sales & Marketing EMEA will report to the CEO for MCLS Europe and lead a small sales team, acting as the Key Account Manager for Savoury ingredients.

Below you find the current reporting structure. With the growth of MCLS Europe this structure may evolve as well. MCLS Europe has currently 16 employees and anticipates to grow in line with the growth in revenue. The Sales and Marketing team for Savoury and Nutrition currently consists of three people, including the General Manager. The governance is formed by a Board of Directors, consisting of four Senior Executives in the MCLS and Mitsubishi Corporation from the Netherlands and Japan.

Tasks & responsibilities

Key responsibilities

• Develop and implement sales and marketing strategies to drive business growth and achieve revenue targets in Europe, Middle East and (South) Africa.
• Collaborate closely with product owners (MCLS and other suppliers), R&D, and other stakeholders to ensure alignment and successful commercialisation of MCLS products.
• Lead and manage a small sales team, providing guidance, support, and performance management.
• Act as the Key Account Manager for Savoury ingredients, building and maintaining productive relationships with key clients.
• Conduct market research and analysis to identify new business opportunities and stay updated on industry trends.
• Represent MCLS at industry events, conferences, and trade shows to promote the Company's products and services.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and standards in the sales and marketing activities.

MCLS Europe is committed to grow and double in revenue in the coming years. The General Manager Sales & Marketing EMEA plays a pivotal role in shaping and driving the path to grow.
Responsibilities will evolve accordingly.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• In the first year(s) the following key indicators will be guiding priorities for this role:
• Leading the team towards high productivity, smooth collaboration and performance.
• Growth in volume and revenue at targeted gross margins and with increase of the number of customers.
• Develop the growth strategy for MCLS Europe in cooperation with MCLS.

Success in these areas highly depends on converting strategic view into concrete actions.

Candidate profile

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor or Master Degree in Health or Life Sciences, Bio Technology or related field.
• Commercial or business education and skills (e.g. MBA).
• 10-15 years’ experience in B-to-B sales and marketing within the life sciences or health industry, preferably in food and nutrition ingredients.
• Ability to lead and manage (cross-functional) teams.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Solid understanding of financial figures and P&L impact.
• Willingness to travel frequently within Europe and occasionally intercontinental (e.g. Japan). Expectation is to be on-site when there is no travel to clients or conferences required.
• Strategic thinker with a results-oriented approach.
• Fluency in English; additional languages are a plus.
• Residency in the Netherlands.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Focusing Externally: shows a deep understanding of customers, external trends, and the industry context, and uses this to shape strategy and decision making.
• Thinking Strategically: naturally adopts a big picture perspective and has good strategic foresight (e.g. anticipating trends).
• Executing and Monitoring: launches strategic initiatives, using deep context knowledge to set them up for success, putting in place mechanisms to monitor progress.
• Mobilising: secures buy-in to the strategic direction and knows how to get things done, formally and informally.
• Enabling Others: delegates effectively, balancing freedom and control appropriately for different people and situations.
• Fostering Collaboration and Teamwork: proactively encourages involvement and collaboration in and across teams, and at all levels.
• Driving Performance: develops performance in the team(s) through goal setting, feedback, and coaching conversations.
• Focusing on Solutions: able to frame problems as opportunities and actively leverage them.
• Demonstrating values: aligns activities and processes with values and encourages people across teams to live the Company’s values.
• Being flexible: is able to persevere or change their plans as the situation requires, with minimal disruption.
• Creating opportunities: seizes viable opportunities and does what it takes to capitalise on them. Is a role model for business development.
• Displaying self-awareness: has an accurate self-assessment, a realistic evaluation of their own strengths and weaknesses which informs what they do and how they do it.

The offer

• Opportunity to work as a General Manager Sales & Marketing EMEA in a dynamic and growing international business.
• A company with an excellent reputation, market leadership.
• Competitive salary and benefits package perks including pension, health insurance, vacation and holidays, company car (optional), etc.
• Short Term Incentive Compensation Plan.

Interested?

You can apply for this position by using the form below.

Boyden is supporting MCLS Europe on this search on an exclusive basis. First round of interviews are with the Boyden Partners and their dedicated Researcher. Shortlisted candidates will then be interviewed and asked to present a predefined case study with key stakeholders from MCLS Europe. A comprehensive self-assessment will be part of the procedure.