Sales Director

Metsä Spring

Metsä Group is a successful forest industry group with roots in the Finnish forest - Our parent company is a cooperative of over 90,000 forest owners. Metsä Group’s innovation company Metsä Spring invests in innovations and technologies that create new uses and value for northern wood. Our goal is to replace fossil materials in everyday products.

We welcome people from diverse backgrounds and different stages of life. Metsä has space and opportunities for many kinds of talent, regardless of age, gender, ethnic background, sexual orientation, disability or other characteristics – Metsä is for all. Read more: metsagroup.com/metsaforall .

Metsä Spring is looking for a

SALES DIRECTOR, MUOTO™

to join the Muoto™ business.

Muoto™ is a breakthrough fibre-based packaging solution developed by Metsä Group to replace conventional plastic in demanding food packaging applications. Combining premium functionality, industrial scalability and a significantly lower environmental footprint, Muoto represents one of the most advanced innovations in sustainable packaging today. Following years of technology development, customer validation and industrial-scale piloting, Muoto entered its commercial phase in August 2026, creating a unique opportunity to shape and scale an entirely new business from the ground up.

In this key role, you will take the commercial lead in building and growing the Muoto™ business. You will be responsible for driving international sales, developing strategic customer relationships, identifying new growth opportunities, and helping establish Muoto as a leading sustainable packaging solution in global markets.

Read more about Muoto™ here .

The position can be based in Espoo, Finland, or at another Metsä Group location in Europe, depending on the candidate's profile. You will report to the VP, Muoto Project.

What is the job that awaits you?

In August 2026, Metsä Group decided both to launch the Muoto™ business and to invest in a new industrial-scale production facility in Äänekoski alongside the existing demo plant. The new facility is scheduled to start operations in 2028.

As Muoto transitions from successful piloting to industrial-scale commercialization, we are looking for an experienced sales leader to drive go-to-market activities and accelerate growth. This is a unique opportunity to join a business at the start of its commercial journey and play a central role in building customer relationships, securing market traction, and shaping the future success of a truly novel packaging business.

In this role, you will:

• Lead the commercial growth and go-to-market activities of the Muoto™ business as it enters the commercial phase and prepares for significant expansion.

• Develop and execute international sales and market entry strategies, build strategic customer relationships, and identify new business opportunities across the packaging value chain.

• Take ownership of commercial performance, including sales, pricing, forecasting, and growth planning, while driving the achievement of ambitious revenue targets.

• Collaborate closely with customers, partners, distributors, and other key stakeholders to establish Muoto™ as a leading sustainable packaging solution in international markets.

• Build and lead a high-performing sales organization and contribute to the successful scale-up of the business towards the launch of the new production facility in 2028.

What are we expecting of you?

We are looking for a person who is capable of operating successfully in a dynamic and evolving business environment where growth, speed, and customer focus are critical. You have demonstrated success in transforming early-stage opportunities into significant commercial business and can combine strategic thinking with hands-on execution. You are comfortable building business through extensive customer, partner, and industry networks and thrive in situations that require both persistence and adaptability.

In this position, the following competences and experience are considered essential:

• A relevant Master's degree, combined with substantial international commercial experience, is expected.

• Proven international sales leadership experience with full commercial responsibility and ownership of ambitious revenue targets

• Experience in carrying direct responsibility for annual sales revenues and delivering against demanding commercial growth targets

• Outstanding communication, presentation, and negotiation skills with near-native English proficiency and the ability to operate confidently in international business environments

• Strong track record in building new business, opening new markets, and converting opportunities into long-term customer relationships

• Proven experience in launching and scaling innovative products, technologies, or business models in international markets

• Deep understanding of the European packaging industry, including the value chain, key market drivers, customer needs, and regulatory landscape

• Established network and experience working with leading packaging companies, converters, brand owners, distributors, and other key industry stakeholders

• Ability to navigate complex customer, partner, and competitive ecosystems and develop scalable go-to-market strategies

• Experience in managing strategic customer accounts and leading high-value commercial negotiations

• Strong commercial and financial acumen, including pricing, margin management, business case evaluation, forecasting, and growth planning

• Proven people leadership experience with the ability to build, coach, and develop high-performing sales teams

• Entrepreneurial mindset, hands-on approach, and a strong drive for results

• Enjoys working in an international environment with regular travel to customer meetings