Commercial Director, US

About the role

The role of Commercial Director, US, is crucial in leading the company's market entry into the U.S., a key protein market. The position involves developing the commercial strategy, building customer relationships, and securing strategic partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the company's U.S. market entry strategy aligned with anticipated FDA approval timelines.
• Conduct detailed market assessments, including customer segmentation, pricing analysis, competitive intelligence, and consumer perception research.
• Build a clear roadmap for commercial adoption across retail, foodservice, ingredient, and manufacturing channels.
• Position the company's cultivated beef products as a compelling ingredient and protein solution for large-scale customers.
• Build and manage a robust pipeline of prospective customers and strategic partners.
• Develop relationships with major retailers, food manufacturers, distributors, meat processors, ingredient companies, and foodservice operators.
• Lead customer education initiatives around cultivated meat and its commercial applications.
• Negotiate and secure trials, joint development agreements, offtake agreements, and commercial contracts, driving key commercial milestones and long-term revenue growth.
• Represent the company at industry conferences, trade shows, customer meetings, and tasting events.
• Build a strong network across the U.S. protein, food technology, and alternative protein ecosystem.
• Act as the voice of the customer internally, helping shape commercial priorities and product positioning.
• Cross-functional collaboration with scientific, regulatory, manufacturing, and executive teams.
• Translate complex technical concepts into compelling commercial value propositions.
• Support strategic partnerships and future fundraising initiatives where appropriate.

Requirements

• 10+ years of B2B sales, business development, or commercial leadership experience within the meat (preference for Beef) or protein for processors, CPG or retail.
• Experience selling ingredients, commodities, food products, agricultural products.
• Proven track record of delivering significant revenue growth and securing major commercial agreements.
• Demonstrated success building new markets, launching products, or developing strategic partnerships.
• Experience managing long, consultative sales cycles involving multiple stakeholders.
• Existing relationships across retailers, food manufacturers, distributors, processors, or foodservice organizations.
• Experience commercialising novel technologies or scientific products within established industries.
• Startup or high-growth company experience is strongly preferred.
• Entrepreneurial and highly self-directed.
• Comfortable operating without large support teams or established infrastructure.
• Resilient and persistent in the face of setbacks.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to engage senior decision-makers.
• Exceptional communicator and storyteller.