Business Development Lead

About Circonomit

Circonomit is pioneering the world's decision infrastructure, serving as a strategic counterpart for industrial companies dealing with complex combinatorial challenges. Their technology maps reality—capturing constraints and levers—to enable n-dimensional optimization across critical supply chain decisions. The company supports Europe's strength and assists German Mittelstand businesses in navigating market fluctuations, orders, machinery, and workforce challenges.

Founded by Dana (CEO) and Erik (CTO) with roots in RWTH research and securing €2.8M funding led by Vorwerk Ventures, Circonomit already has customers using its optimization models in live environments.

The team operates rapidly and focuses on solving problems thoroughly without delay.

Role Overview

We are looking for an experienced Business Development Lead to fully own and shape our go-to-market approach. This role involves total responsibility for positioning, channel building, partner selection, target customer identification, and deal execution. You lead the entire sales pipeline and manage your own accounts from prospecting through contract signing.

You will work closely with Dana, our CEO, as the first commercial hire. This position reports directly to leadership with no intermediaries, participating in board and investor discussions and engaging directly with managing directors at client organizations.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify, qualify, and close customers and deals independently, managing the entire sales process including discovery, proof of value, executive approval, and contract negotiation using creative and efficient methods.
• Develop and own the market thesis: determine target segments, entry strategies, pricing models, and sales channels; monitor data to refine and correct strategies as necessary.
• Drive demand creation by managing messaging, website content, outbound campaigns, industry events, and credible case studies to support pilots and communicate value effectively.
• Establish and manage partnerships, including implementation partners, consulting firms, and complementary vendors; design commercial and legal structures to support strategic alliances.
• Build and lead a commercial team after proving initial outcomes, including training new hires and evolving into a key leadership role within the company.

Candidate Requirements

• Minimum 5 years' experience in consulting, commercial leadership, or complex B2B sales targeting industrial clients, with a technical or analytical background such as engineering, operations research, or computer science.
• Demonstrated ownership of end-to-end customer outcomes, project delivery, deadlines, and financial targets.
• Deep understanding of organizational structures in large companies and ability to navigate and influence decision-making effectively.
• Exceptional storytelling skills, capable of delivering clear, fact-oriented narratives that engage diverse stakeholders including supply chain managers, controllers, and managing directors.
• Strong analytical skills with proficiency in building business cases, ROI calculations, and channel economics, with comfort in Excel and data modeling.
• Highly organized, action-driven, and competitive mindset with a proven track record of success.
• Language proficiency: German at C1 level or higher, plus fluent English.
• Location preference: based in the Cologne (NRW) office or optionally Munich, Stuttgart, Berlin, or willing to work hybrid with flexible arrangements possible.

Additional Notes

This position requires a doer mentality rather than a purely directing role, comfortable working with tight deadlines, high pressure, and minimal bureaucracy. Immediate engagement with clients is expected.

Benefits

• Substantial impact by selling real value and leading decision-making.
• Ownership over strategy, channel development, and team building without multi-layer approvals or discount sign-offs.
• Close collaboration with core researchers, modelers, and founders, enabling meaningful technical and commercial integration.
• Direct exposure to board-level presentations and strategic conversations with senior client executives.
• Transparent and rapid feedback culture supporting individual and company growth.
• Competitive salary complemented by equity participation (VSOP) aligned with contribution and career growth.

Hiring Process

The recruitment process includes an introductory interview, a follow-up team discussion, a 60-90 minute live case challenge, and further team meetings both remotely and in-person. Candidates are encouraged to seek honesty about all aspects of the role before committing.

"Hustle the day, analyse at night, reinforce something outstanding."