Paragraf's patented contamination-free deposition technology delivers game-changing opportunities for the commercialisation of graphene by allowing us to manufacture high-purity 2D graphene sheets at scale.

Paragraf is the first company in the world to mass produce graphene-based electronic devices using standard semiconductor processes. We not only specialise in the manufacture of high-purity graphene but also its seamless integration into ready to use products that can be quickly adopted by our customers and partners to support the advancement of their technologies.

At Paragraf we are committed to materially transforming electronics through the development of high-purity graphene products that will facilitate massive improvements in the performance of technologies across all aspects of life.

Founded as a spin out from Cambridge University in 2017 with the aim of transferring the technology from the academic lab into a commercial entity. Since then, we have grown from one site in Somersham, Cambridgeshire and three employees to a team of over 100 people and an additional production facility in Huntingdon as well as sales teams globally promoting Paragraf.

The Role

This role is crucial to managing the sales and sales operations globally under the guidance of the SVP, Sales who is based in the USA. This results driven role will focus on the global development and expansion of our commercial activities. The Commercial Manager (CM) will drive the current and future product group to continued success, aligning the technical developments with the identified needs of customers worldwide. The CM will work with the SVP to develop Go to Market strategies including generating sales leads and developing a sales pipeline to deliver strong revenue growth. The CM will be primarily responsible for sales in the European market and provide sales support in other geographic regions.

Responsibilities and Tasks

• With the SVP - Sales, develop a global market strategy, tactics, plans and targets for the product group to deliver commercial success and return on investment from the technology
• Own the CRM activities and tools and ensure the business is bought in, understanding of and engaged with the critical data entry and reporting processes of the system
• Build, develop and manage the processes and operations to underpin successful sales operations globally and ensure strong communication and collaboration internally and ensure excellent customer service.
• Act as a bridge between the Innovation/Product Teams and the commercial team to provide technical feedback to the sales force and commercial feedback to the technical teams.
• Ensure comprehensive market surveillance operations identify relevant additional opportunities as the performance of the products develop, continually scoping emerging and developing technology fields that may be applicable.
• Track and follow up requests from potential customers, partners and external stakeholders to ensure that strategic opportunities are supported both commercially and technically.
• Champion the customer internally at Paragraf ensuring their requests, comments and needs are being heard and assessed correctly and objectively
• Lead the Commercial and Product Teams to develop clear customer value propositions derived from the features, advantages and benefits of the products
• Lead the Commercial and Marketing Teams to promote the Company at networking and trade events, global exhibitions and conferences, planning proactive product launch or business development campaigns with the teams to ensure return on investment of activities
• Deliver and/or arrange technical/scientific seminars and presentations describing product lines, Company mission and development strategies to promote the potential of the Graphene based components to relevant market segments
• Represent the Company by clearly and consistently communicating the Company's mission, values and goals.
• Complete other duties commensurate with the role's level as requested by your manager

Education and Qualifications

• Degree qualified in a relevant discipline such as business or a science/ engineering/ maths discipline
• Understanding of commercial technology transfer processes
• Capability to quickly grasp new scientific concepts and technologies with the ability to identify commercial potential
• Fluency in additional languages would be an advantage but not essential

Experience

• Experience in a senior commercial role in a semiconductor or electronics environment, or with an emerging technology, delivering challenging sales targets, establishing and building relationships internally and externally and coordinating commercial projects successfully
• Experience of establishing challenging commercial targets and managing a team to deliver those enthusiastically and successfully.
• Well-connected in target industries and commercial spaces and experienced in developing working relationships for mutual benefit and long-term partnership
• Experience of problem solving in a commercial environment, delivering solutions in pressurised and sensitive scenarios.
• Experience of strategic sales partnership deal making, including license and royalty models
• Experience in start-ups and in technology businesses
• Comfortable operating in a highly flexible working environment, enthusiastic about fluid working practices with a proven ability to handle and progress multiple projects efficiently and effectively

Skills and knowledge

• Extremely strong interpersonal skills; outgoing and confident in working closely with people from a variety of backgrounds, both internal and external to the business
• In-depth knowledge of product sales lifecycle journeys from new product introduction, low volume high value sales, through to very high-volume commoditization
• Data driven, competent at analysing results and tailoring future activities accordingly
• Ability to reflect and learn from mistakes with a drive to achieve ultimate performance
• Proven problem-solving skills
• Ability to take on, understand and analyse technical information quickly
• Working knowledge of Microsoft office suite, Business central and CRM software is desirable.

Communication

• Excellent communication skills with the confidence to contribute and encourage ideas generation to senior management
• Effectively communicate technical information, and to report on status of work in a timely manner to senior management
• Ability to present information clearly and appropriately for the audience

Additional factors

• Respect and adherence to confidentiality and critical matters
• Responsible for ensuring a safe and healthy work environment by complying with company policies and processes and all relevant regulations including the use of PPE, as appropriate to the level and scope of the role. This includes participation in health and safety training and reporting of any potential hazards or breaches of safety protocols in the appropriate manner.
• Managers are also expected to contribute to and support the continuous improvement of health and safety practices, encouraging a proactive culture of awareness and prevention within the team
• Willing to travel both domestically and abroad
• UK Driving licence

At Paragraf we are constantly looking for new ways to support and reward our team. This is our current list of benefits, they are subject to change and review{{:}

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• Group Personal Pension Plan- Employer contribution 5%, Employee contribution minimum 4%
• Private health insurance on completion of probatio
n
• Share Option scheme
• Death in service of 3 times salary and income protection on completion of probatio
n
• 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays, and the chance to ‘purchase' up to 5 additional days each yea
r
• Personal and Professional Development Plans and suppor
t
• Employee Assistance Programm
e
• Cycle to work scheme
• Electric Vehicle Lease Schem
e
• Payroll Giving schem