Automation & Digital Business Development Manager (Utrecht, NL)

Job Summary

Every day, hundreds of millions of people depend on the food industry. So, for us, how we automate food processing and packaging needs to be world-class. 

We are leading the digital transformation across the food and beverage industry, and we are looking for a Business Development Manager/Business Development and Sales Manager to identify, develop and secure new business opportunities for our Automation & Digital Solutions portfolio.

This is a high-impact role connecting customers with innovative digital solutions that deliver real business value. This is a role for someone who thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and is motivated by the challenge of opening new doors and closing strategic deals.

You will be based in Utrecht- Netherlands, Paris- France or Belgium
You will be travelling up to 60% of your time.

At Tetra Pak, you’ll make an impact to be proud of – for food, people and the planet.

What you will do

in the new role, you will:

• Develop and execute a robust business development strategy to drive sales and profitability
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities, including untapped customer segments and markets beyond traditional Tetra Pak offerings.
• Lead customer value analysis workshops to uncover needs and design tailored digital solutions
• Collaborate with internal teams to integrate digital solutions into various workstreams/workflows, such as new product introductions and account planning
• Drive the bidding process by working closely with pre-project teams to prepare quotations and formulate contracts.
• Act as a trusted advisor to customers on their digital transformation journeys, helping them understand the business value of smart manufacturing.
• Build and nurture strategic partnerships with consultancy firms, OEMs, system integrators, and technology providers.
• Represent Tetra Pak at trade fairs, webinars, summits, and conferences, positioning us as a leader in digital innovation.
• Stay ahead of industry trends and emerging technologies such as IIoT, Cloud, Big Data, and Analytics, and share insights with internal and external stakeholders.
• Lead the analysis of market trends, competitor activity, and customer needs to inform strategy and solution development.
• Champion a culture of innovation, inclusion, and continuous improvement within the digital solutions space.

We believe you have

• A University degree in Engineering, ideally in electrical, IT/Computer Science, electronics, mechatronics, robotics or automation
• 5+ years of experience blending business development, sales, or strategic partnerships within automation, digital solutions, or industrial robotic technology.
• A proven track record in sales hunting roles, opening new accounts and closing complex deals.
• Strong analytical and consultative skills, with the ability to translate customer needs into compelling value propositions.
• Excellent communication, influencing and presentation skills, with confidence in engaging senior stakeholders and technical audiences.
• Resilience for ambiguity, uncertainty, volatility and complexity.
• Ability to navigate cross-functional, multicultural teams across global markets.
• A passion for innovation and a deep interest in digital technologies and their application in manufacturing.
• Fluency in English and Dutch is required, French is a plus.