Technical Business Development Manager (m/f/d)

Job Description

Contract type: unbefristet
Working time: Vollzeit

About Us

At tesa, we drive innovation by exploring and developing disruptive business opportunities in high-tech markets. As part of our Corporate Business Development and R&D strategy, we focus on technology-push initiatives, identifying emerging technologies and transforming them into scalable business models.

This role sits at the intersection of R&D and strategic business development, with a strong emphasis on early-stage technology scouting, open innovation, and commercialization of breakthrough solutions. If you have an entrepreneurial mindset, a passion for deep tech innovation, and thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, this is the perfect opportunity!

Your Role

As a Technical Business Development Manager, you will explore, validate, and incubate new technology-driven business opportunities. Your goal is to identify breakthrough innovations, build strategic partnerships, and establish the foundation for scalable business models. You will work closely with R&D, startups, universities, and external innovation partners to develop solutions that shape tesa's future portfolio and open new markets.

Your Responsibilities

Technology & Market Exploration (0-6 months)

• Identify and evaluate early-stage technologies that align with tesa's strategic focus.
• Conduct market research, trend analysis, and competitive intelligence to assess commercial potential.
• Develop proof-of-concept business cases and validate key assumptions through rapid experimentation.
• Engage with universities, research institutes, and startups to establish technology partnerships.
• Represent tesa in open innovation ecosystems, industry networks, and consortia.

Incubation & Business Model Validation (6-18 months)

• Co-develop minimum viable products (MVPs) with R&D and external partners.
• Build and engage pilot customers to validate real-world applications and refine value propositions.
• Define go-to-market strategies, test pricing models, and explore commercialization pathways.
• Secure strategic collaborations with early adopters, technology partners, and pilot customers.
• Lead early-stage business development efforts, ensuring a structured path toward scalability.

Scaling & Business Growth (18+ months)

• Develop and execute a scaling strategy for successful innovations.
• Build a sustainable ecosystem of strategic partners, suppliers, and customers.
• Secure internal and external investments to accelerate market entry.
• Integrate validated business opportunities into tesa's core portfolio or spin off into new ventures.
• Establish operational structures to support long-term growth and commercialization.

What You Can Expect

• A high-impact role with direct responsibility for shaping future business opportunities.
• Collaboration with leading experts in R&D, startups, and industry partners.
• A dynamic, entrepreneurial environment within a corporate innovation framework.
• The opportunity to drive innovation from concept to market success.

Your Qualifications

• PhD in Materials Science, Polymer Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related fields.
• 5+ years of experience in business development, technology commercialization, or corporate innovation.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for disruptive technologies and emerging markets.
• Proven experience in open innovation and building partnerships with research institutes and startups.
• Strong technical background combined with a business-oriented approach.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Fluent in English
• Willingness to travel (~25%).