Director, Business Development and Sales- Lauzon Bois Énergétique Recyclé

OUR CLIENT

Our client is a large-scale manufacturing company whose ambition is to raise operational excellence standards across its two plants by increasing workforce engagement, implementing best operational practices, and upgrading and maintaining production equipment and manufacturing processes.

This operational efficiency initiative aims to enhance the plants’ service capacity and deliver measurable gains and improvements across the production, supply, and value chains.

MAIN ROLE

As Director of Business Development, you will drive the company’s growth strategy by developing new products, increasing raw material sourcing, and opening new sales channels, while strengthening the company’s position in the renewable energy sector and related products to meet current and future needs.

You will lead and identify new sales channels (local markets, exports, digital platforms) and prospect new clients across retail, industrial, and institutional sectors to support expansion and growth. You will negotiate and close strategic commercial agreements while representing the company.

You will play a central role in shaping your department’s structure and in developing and mobilizing resources by supporting and enhancing best practices to improve service levels and product quality.

You will also demonstrate the ability to develop new markets and optimize a global supply chain.

You will continuously challenge and lead teams toward efficiency and excellence using data-driven analysis and best practices.

You will be responsible for developing a five-year strategic plan and aligning investments and operational improvements across the organization. You will conduct feasibility studies and profitability analyses for new product development and collaborate closely with R&D and production teams.

You will also be responsible for auditing, monitoring, evaluating, and improving process and performance quality in line with internal and regulatory standards, as well as health and safety across the organization.

You will oversee reporting and performance tracking to the executive team and the board of directors.

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Industry: Strong knowledge of the wood and renewable energy sectors; ability to navigate a vertically integrated organization and understand global supply chains.

Strategic and Operational Thinker: Proven ability to develop and execute value-creating business strategies; strong command of strategic and operational planning processes aligned with corporate objectives.

Business Development Expertise: Strong market analysis skills; advanced negotiation, partnership management, and leadership capabilities; ability to lead product and process development initiatives; knowledge of best practices with the ability to provide expert guidance and support.

Leadership Skills: Proven experience leading and developing high-performing teams; strong communication and interpersonal skills; ability to build and maintain excellent relationships with key stakeholders and business partners.

Financial Acumen: Strong financial analysis and cost analysis skills, including the ability to evaluate CAPEX investments and assess return on investment.

Change Management: Experience leading organizational change and fostering a culture of continuous improvement; ability to innovate and manage complex projects.

Collaborative Mindset: Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders at all levels; strong work ethic, reliability, attention to detail, and a “get it done” attitude.

Problem-Solving Skills: Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with experience identifying and implementing operational improvements.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

• The ideal candidate will have over 20 years of experience, including 15 years in leadership roles in team management, business development, and general management.
• University degree in business administration, forestry engineering, sustainable development, or a related field.
• Experienced sales professional with a strong track record in business development and negotiations with big-box retailers and hardware chains.
• Significant experience in business development within an industrial or energy-related B2B environment.
• Strong business acumen with a customer-focused mindset and solid knowledge of operations management and supply chain.
• Bilingual in French and English (spoken and written) is essential.
• Willing and able to travel (approximately 30% of the time).

KEY BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES

• Financial acumen
• Strong communicator
• Entrepreneurial mindset
• Inspirational leadership
• Rigor and discipline
• Analytical thinking
• Manufacturing vision
• Problem-solving
• Managerial courage
• Agility

KEY CHALLENGES OF THE ROLE

1. Establish Lauzon Bois Énergétique as a major commercial player among retailers through product innovation and its role in sustainable development;
2. Define analytical foundations to develop sales growth plans in a market with limited available data;
3. Mobilize and develop the team.

PRIORITY INITIATIVES BY SEGMENT

Business Development

Execute the strategic portion of the business plan:

• Launch 3 new value-added products to market and increase heating pellet volumes as quickly as possible;
  Support the new product development team;
• Define and penetrate required sales channels (big-box retailers, networks, specialty retailers, agents, distributors, etc.);
• Increase heating pellet volume by 20% to 30% within 12 months;
• Launch value-added products within 6 to 12 months while maximizing execution and profitability.

Operations Leadership

• Upon arrival, demonstrate transformational leadership within the sales team and implement required changes to improve execution capabilities and engagement;
• Within the first 6 months, review the structure of the sales, customer service, and central marketing support teams;
• Within the first 12 months, develop a strong understanding of the supply chain and support contract negotiations as needed.

Strategic Planning

• Complete overhaul of the strategic plan based on value-creating commercial strategies.

PROPOSED INTERVIEW PROCESS

• First interview with the consulting firm Glasford International Canada;
• Second interview with the General Manager and HR Director;
• Third meeting with the General Manager and CEO.