Business Development Lead

Position Title: Global Business Development Lead, Coffee & Cocoa Value Chains 

Location: Paris, France or Toronto, Canada 

Department: Commercial 

Reporting To: Chief Commercial Officer  

Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent, Local contract  

Travels: up to 30% 

Starting date: October/November 2025 

PUR Description  

PUR is a global, impact-focused B-Corp specializing in the development of environmental restoration projects, known as ‘nature-based solutions' (NbS). Since 2008, we have been helping the world’s largest organizations meet their ESG targets, reduce their environmental footprint, and regenerate the ecosystems they depend on across complex supply chains. Having developed over 45 projects in more than 30 countries, PUR is recognized as both a pioneer and leader in a sector that is now at the forefront of global efforts to address the ongoing climate and biodiversity crisis.  

At the heart of our mission is a commitment to fostering and operationalizing insetting strategies—interventions by companies within their own value chains designed to reduce GHG emissions while creating positive impacts for communities, landscapes, and ecosystems. By championing this insetting approach, we aim to create a holistic range of benefits that extend beyond ecological restoration, encompassing social and economic dimensions through enhanced agricultural yields and resilience to climate change-induced stresses, among others.  

One of the distinctive features of our work is our ability to tailor projects to the specific needs of different regions and communities. By recognizing the unique characteristics of each ecosystem and the cultural context of the communities involved, we ensure our initiatives are contextually relevant and have a meaningful and sustainable impact. All our projects are developed in close collaboration with local actors, including cooperatives, NGOs, governments, and corporations. Today, we employ 200 staff across 16 countries with key offices in Paris (HQ) and Toronto. 

Industry  

PUR operates within the dynamic and rapidly evolving sector of environmental consultancy services and nature-based solutions markets. These markets are closely linked with the voluntary carbon markets (VCM) when NbS projects produce carbon credits that can be traded on the VCM. The NbS market has recently gained traction as society recognizes the invaluable services provided by nature and the need to preserve, restore, and harness these services to mitigate and adapt to environmental challenges. To be considered a nature-based solution, projects must effectively address real societal challenges and offer strong environmental, economic, and social benefits for local communities.  

Market KPIs:  

• If combined with deep decarbonization efforts, NbS projects could provide up to 30% of the mitigation needed to limit global warming to 1.5ºC above pre-industrial levels by 2030 (World Economic Forum, 2023).  

• NbS project credits make up the largest volumes of carbon credits available in the VCM and continue to attract the most investment, with $9 billion invested between 2020 and 2022 (Sylvera, 2023).  

• 5,307 companies have set science-based targets—a 4.2x increase since 2022—and are a significant driver of demand within the NbS and VCM markets (SBTi, 2024).  

Role Overview 

PUR has built a market leading portfolio of field implementation projects for the global Coffee & Cocoa industry, working with brands and commodities traders alike to reduce scope 3 emissions and enhance resilience in these supply chains. 

The new Business Development Lead will drive growth by leading the design of projects for new clients and the integration of new offers that align with market needs within our portfolio of existing customers. This role involves leading a team of 3, developing specific strategies for Coffee and Cocoa insetting and building on decades of network building to deepen key industry relationships and support sustained growth and innovation. 

Your key Responsibilities but not limited to: 

1. Revenue Growth 

Building Strategic relationships and bringing in new customers 

• Develop and execute strategic plans to attract new clients in the Coffee & Cocoa insetting segment; 

• Build and manage a robust pipeline of prospective accounts for PUR’s field implementation solutions, driving them through the sales funnel to conversion; 

• Establish and nurture long-term relationships with key industry stakeholders and prospects to unlock new growth opportunities; 

• Represent PUR at industry events, conferences, and working groups to enhance visibility, build credibility, and influence sector-wide discussions. 

New Services & Solutions 

• Lead go-to-market efforts for new offers, collaborating closely with technical, marketing, and other internal teams to ensure timely and successful launches; 

• Gather and synthesize market intelligence, including competitor analysis and client feedback, to inform and iterate PUR’s service offerings. Collaborate with technical leads to share insights and keep internal teams aligned with market trends; 

• Partner with the Key Account team on existing Coffee & Cocoa clients to identify and support upsell and cross-sell opportunities for new services and solutions. 

2. Commercial Team Leadership 

Team Performance 

• Establish, own and maintain key performance indicators as well as long-term growth projections for your assigned segments. Manage team objectives, performance and resourcing to meet overall company and commercial team targets; 

• Mentor and develop your team, promoting everyone's personal growth through formal and ​on-the-job training, ​guiding less experienced team members in strategic negotiations, proposal development and stakeholder engagements.​​ 

Process excellence 

• Co-own the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), Key performance Indicators (KPIs) and tools for new customers, services and solutions with Commercial Operations Excellence, ensuring clarity on these processes across the organisation and pushing continuous improvements; 

• Lead functional and cross-functional initiatives aimed at improving ways of working & team effectiveness as needed. 

Offer integrity and Brand role model 

• Act as a steward for the integrity of PUR’s offering to the market, ensuring we only propose solutions with true added value to farmers and customers that we are able to deliver sustainably; 

• Embody PUR’s values and principles with all internal and external stakeholders. 

​ ​Qualifications & Experience: 

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Business or Sustainability related field; 

• 10+ years of experience in key account management, sales, or related area; 

• Proven success in deal negotiation, and revenue growth. Understanding of client relationship dynamics, industry frameworks at a global scale;  

• Industry experience in agroforestry, sustainability, engineering is a plus; 

• Experience in cocoa or coffee value chains considered a strong asset; 

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, results-driven environment.  

• Strong sense of accountability and commitment/follow-through;  

• Looks for impact by making decisions based on facts and critical thinking;  

• Fluent in English. French or Spanish is considered a plus;  

• Available to travel for conferences and project-related needs as necessary. 

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): 

• Revenue Growth: Increase in qualified opportunities, conversion rates, and increase booked revenue from new business initiatives; 

• Client Growth and Retention: Number of new clients/accounts acquired & improvements in portfolio balance; 

• Successful launch of new services & solutions, positive ROI on acquisition costs; 

• Client satisfaction and retention in key sectors and industries; 

• Commercial data quality. 

Recruitment process:  

• HR interview  

• Interview with a Senior Commercial Manager 

• Case study test  

• Interview with the Chief Commercial Officer + References check 

At PUR, we strive to build inclusive teams and an equitable workplace where our employees feel respected, supported, and empowered. As a global company operating across six continents, we recognize that diversity in the workplace is essential to achieving our mission.   

We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of age, race, gender, colour, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or any other aspect that makes them unique.  

PUR is dedicated to providing an accessible environment for all candidates during the application process and for employees during their employment.  If you require accommodation or consideration throughout the interview process, let us know, and we will do our best to support you.