Application Development Manager

Carbeau is a newly established, innovation-driven company dedicated to transforming CO2 into high-value chemicals and sustainable materials. Building on more than a decade of electrochemical CO2-conversion expertise, Carbeau develops technology that uses electricity, preferably from renewable sources, to turn CO2 from a waste stream into a valuable raw material.

Our mission is simple and ambitious: Making Carbon Work Beautifully.

The materials and chemicals used in everyday life are still largely based on fossil resources. Carbeau is changing that by using electrochemistry to rebuild carbon from CO2 into useful chemical building blocks. In doing so, we help create a circular, carbon-smart future in which CO2 is no longer seen only as an emission challenge, but as a resource for sustainable products.

Carbeau originated from Avantium’s Volta Technology platform and was established as an independent company in 2026, supported by a strong consortium of strategic and financial investors. Our initial product focus includes glycolic acid for the Personal Care market and PLGA, a compostable polymer with strong performance potential.

At Carbeau, you will join a small, entrepreneurial team at an exciting stage of growth, working at the intersection of technology scale-up, market development and sustainable impact.

We are looking for an Application Development Manager who will be responsible for the application development of our Volta products, with a focus on PLGA, a CO2 based polymer with exceptional technical performance that will be applied in the packaging industry. The Application Development Manager will report to the Chief Product Officer.

Responsibilities

The key objective of the Application Development Manager is to manage application development programs that support the develop, scale-up and commercialization of the Volta Technology.

To achieve this, you will:

• Collaborate with customers and internal and external R&D laboratories

• Maintain and grow a network of partner labs and manage outsourced projects for application & product development

• Serve as technical interface between the customer and our Business Development during sample validation phase, and oversee and attend trials at customers

• Develop application development reports/ brochures ensuring scientific excellence and clarity, with an emphasis on translating the implications to business purposes.

• Maintain a knowledge base of competitive position industrial practices & standards for PLGA in the target application areas, thereby developing the (technical part of the) customer business case with Business Development in all markets of interest.

• Conceptualize and initiate product development projects with (external) partners based on customer needs and feedback

• Be responsible for activities related to all technical product compliance, statements, and registrations (regulatory affairs) together with the support from regulatory and business development colleagues.

• Support the business unit in grant applications and execution of awarded projects.

• Represent Avantium at conferences: build relationships with external contacts and lead generation: scout opportunities for meaningful partnerships from an application development perspective.

What do you bring?

• Bachelors, Master’s or PhD degree in chemistry/polymer/engineering, or in general (applied) - science

• At least 5 years of relevant work experience

• Experience in application development or technical sales in polymer film/sheet extrusion, paper coating, plastic packaging development or similar

• Experience with biobased polymers is highly preferred

• The ability to communicate clearly, transferring complex information both verbally and in writing to a broad range of internal and external stakeholders

• The ability to analyse and summarize complex technical data into overviews and actionable insights to diverse stakeholders

• The ability and eagerness to initiate, develop and maintain relationships with prospects, partners, industry groups and associations

• Languages: Fluent in English, being able to speak more languages is desirable

• You are willing to travel up to 30-50% of your time

What do we offer?

As we are a small company, we also offer you a unique chance to learn a lot about many fields, not only science, but also business and management, leading people and operations, market strategies, quality and last but not least safety. Learning paths can be steep and we do not offer you predefined career paths and development tracks. You are in the lead of your career, what you bring to the table will be noticed and taking initiative is rewarded and recognized. We have an informal culture, a flat organization and we recognize and celebrate the many cultures that we represent. And on top of that we offer good primary and secondary benefits.