Business Development Executive

Role & responsibilities

The Business Development Executive will be responsible for identifying and securing new business opportunities within the oils, oleochemicals, and nutraceutical/plant-based ingredients sector. The role involves market research, client acquisition, relationship management, and ensuring the company's growth in line with strategic goals. The ideal candidate will have a degree in Business Management, Oils and Chemicals, or a related science field, with at least 3 years of experience selling oleochemical and/or nutraceutical ingredients specifically tocopherols, phytosterols, fatty acids, squalene, distilled fatty acid, and plant-based nutrition and health ingredients/products to industries such as nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, functional foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.

Preferred candidate profile

Market Research and Analysis

• Conduct in-depth market research to identify emerging trends, potential clients, and growth opportunities in the oils, oleochemicals, and nutraceutical/plant-based ingredients sector.
• Analyze competitors and industry dynamics including pricing and demand trends for tocopherols, phytosterols, fatty acids, squalene, and distilled fatty acid — to provide actionable insights to management.

Business Development

• Generate leads and develop a pipeline of potential clients across nutraceutical, dietary supplement, functional food/beverage, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical manufacturers, as well as traditional oils and chemicals customers.
• Prepare and deliver tailored presentations, proposals, and technical solutions to prospective clients, including ingredient specifications, applications, and regulatory documentation for plant-based actives.
• Negotiate contracts and close deals to meet or exceed sales targets for both oleochemical and nutraceutical/plant-extract product lines.

Client Relationship Management

• Build and maintain strong, long-lasting relationships with clients to ensure repeat business.
• Act as a liaison between the company and clients, addressing their needs and concerns promptly, including technical queries on ingredient standardization, purity, and applications.

Strategic Planning

• Collaborate with the management team to develop and implement business strategies that align with organizational goals.
• Identify opportunities for partnerships, joint ventures, or new market entry, including in the growing plant-based nutrition and health ingredients space.

Reporting and Documentation

• Maintain accurate records of sales, client interactions, and market insights.
• Prepare regular reports for management, highlighting progress against targets and key challenges.

Qualifications and Skills

Educational Background

• Bachelor's degree in Business Management or a related field (Master's degree is a plus), or Master's in Oils/Oleochemistry, B.Tech (Chemical Engineering), or a degree in Pharmacy, Food Technology, or Life Sciences with relevant industry exposure.

Professional Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in the oils, oleochemicals, or nutraceutical ingredients industry, preferably in a business development or sales role.
• Demonstrated prior experience selling tocopherols, phytosterols, fatty acids, squalene, and distilled fatty acid to industrial, nutraceutical, or cosmetic customers.
• Experience marketing plant-based nutrition and health ingredients/products (e.g., botanical extracts, phytonutrients, functional lipids) to nutraceutical, dietary supplement, or functional food/beverage manufacturers.
• Existing customer relationships/network among nutraceutical formulators, supplement brands, and functional food companies is highly desirable.

Technical Skills

• Knowledge of oils and chemicals markets, including product applications, regulations, and supply chain dynamics.
• Working knowledge of nutraceutical/plant-extract ingredients — applications, standard specifications, and quality parameters for tocopherols, phytosterols, fatty acids, squalene, distilled fatty acid, and related plant-based actives.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements relevant to ingredient sales into nutraceutical/dietary-supplement and food markets (e.g., FSSAI, US FDA/DSHEA, EFSA) sufficient to support customer discussions.
• Proficiency in MS Office and CRM software for lead management and reporting.

Soft Skills

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Self-motivated, goal-oriented, and able to work independently or as part of a team.

Preferred Attributes

• Prior work experience in the oils, oleochemicals, or nutraceutical/plant-based ingredients industry (or a closely related industry) is preferred.
• Established network of buyers in the nutraceutical, dietary supplement, functional food, and cosmetic ingredient industries.
• Prior exposure to international trade in oleochemical or nutraceutical ingredients, including export documentation and quality certification requirements.
• Familiarity with sustainability and clean-label trends shaping demand for plant-based nutrition ingredients.

Work Environment

• Location: Hyderabad, India (Travel may be required based on client and market demands).
• Reporting to: Director.

Compensation

Competitive salary, opportunities to attend Trade Exhibitions abroad, and increments as per company policy and performance.