We are looking for a: BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
at
ASSENEDESTRAAT 2
ERTVELDE, 9940
Belgium
Permanent contract
Work in your element
At Oleon, we bring you natural chemistry. Ambitious, with both feet on the ground. That's who we are and that's how we will continue to grow. Our specialty lies in converting natural fats and oils into a wide range of oleochemical products. We offer them in a large variety of markets such as: cosmetics, nutrition, crop protection, industrial ingredients, lubricants, oilfield, coatings, detergents, and many more.
Oleon has over 1,000 employees worldwide in 10 different countries. Enthusiastic people who are completely in their element here at Oleon are more than welcome to join our team.
We are looking for a
As BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER – natural oils, you will drive Oleon’s entry into the growing market of cosmetic oils. This is a new business line where you will set the direction, build strong partnerships, and develop a differentiated portfolio that positions Oleon as a respected player in natural personal care ingredients.
Your role combines strategic vision with hands-on execution. You assess Oleon’s current capabilities, define the roadmap and investments required, and shape efficient supply chain flows. By actively gathering customer and competitor intelligence, monitoring crop cycles, and anticipating industry trends, you turn insights into concrete projects and growth opportunities. With strong commercial insight, you connect customer needs with the right suppliers and create win-win solutions that deliver lasting value.
Collaboration is key: you work closely with R&D, quality, regulatory, and marketing to ensure that new oils meet the highest standards, carry the right certifications, and are supported with compelling data and communication. As a product specialist, you also support account managers in customer interactions, building credibility and helping to expand the opportunity pipeline.
This is an end-to-end business development role: from defining strategy and building partnerships to ensuring portfolio performance and profit delivery. It requires an entrepreneurial mindset, strong relationship-building skills, and the drive to make Oleon a recognized partner in natural personal care oils.
You'll succeed if:
You have
1. You bring solid experience in business development, preferably within the cosmetics, natural oils. A strong network with suppliers or processors is a clear advantage.
2. You combine strategic thinking with a hands-on approach: you enjoy shaping long-term plans while also taking ownership of projects and making things happen.
3. You have strong commercial and relationship-building skills, with the ability to link market needs to supplier capabilities and develop win-win solutions.
4. You are skilled in market and competitor analysis, understanding supply chains, value chains, and industry trends.
5. You are internationally minded, fluent in English, and willing to travel 30–50% of your time across Europe.
Next to your skills, it is your drive and motivation that will make all the difference!
Your benefits:
You will join a company with ambitious goals and a welcoming atmosphere. Both your personal development and work-life balance are equally important to us. You can expect an attractive salary and leave scheme, along with numerous benefits such as meal vouchers, CAO90, company car etc. Additionally, we provide a solid insurance plan that you can rely on.
Oleon is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment that embraces all forms of diversity. We ensure equal opportunities in our recruitment and integration processes and ensure that you can be yourself in our professional environment.
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Oleon is a business unit of Avril, the industrial and financial leader in the French vegetable oil and protein sector.
Avril is present in consumer food, animal nutrition and expertise, renewable energy and chemistry, with a recorded revenue of 7,7 billion euro across 18 countries in 2024. The Group focuses its growth on a unique value-sharing model.
Avril and its 8,400 employees, driven by its purpose, "Serving the Earth", are committed to addressing climate change and population growth challenges.
Joining Avril means choosing to work in a company that harmoniously brings together performance and responsibility, innovation and humbleness, the group and individuals. Avril: there is another way.