About the VentureWe are a European deep tech company building next-generation technology for defense applications at sea. With a fully integrated and certified product, we’ve already secured our first clients and built early traction in one of the world’s most complex and high-stakes markets.Our core technology combines advanced AI, embedded software, and integrated hardware. It’s production-ready, field-proven, and built by a top-notch technical team with deep domain expertise. Backed by leading investors, we’re now entering a critical commercial phase—and expanding our direct presence in defense markets.Your Role and ResponsibilitiesAs Commercial Director – Defense, you will lead direct sales efforts into military markets across Europe, North America, and selected allied regions. This is a senior individual contributor role working directly with the founding team and with the opportunity to build up a team following further funding rounds. You will:<ul><li>Build and execute a go-to-market strategy for defense clients globally</li><li>Develop and maintain relationships with key buyers, users, and procurement stakeholders</li><li>Identify and influence upcoming tenders and funding initiatives across NATO-aligned markets</li><li>Deliver compelling pitches and lead negotiations for complex, high-value deals</li><li>Own the entire sales cycle from prospecting to contract</li><li>Educate customers on emerging capabilities and support them in building business cases internally</li><li>Represent the company at defense and maritime forums, trials, and strategic exercises</li><li>Collaborate closely with product and engineering teams to tailor solutions for market fit </li></ul>What You Need to Succeed<ul><li>A proven track record in defense sales, ideally across multiple geographies</li><li>Experience closing high-value, complex contracts</li><li>Prior service in the Navy, Marines, or a defense-related institution is strongly preferred</li><li>Deep understanding of procurement dynamics within NATO-aligned forces</li><li>Strong technical fluency—you’re comfortable translating advanced systems into strategic value</li><li>Excellent communication, influencing, and negotiation skills across senior ranks and technical teams</li><li>A high degree of autonomy, accountability, and ownership </li></ul>What We Value<ul><li>Mission-driven thinkers with a bias for action</li><li>Entrepreneurial spirit—able to build from scratch, adapt, and scale</li><li>Cultural fluency and the ability to build trust across borders and mindsets</li><li>Strategic patience paired with relentless follow-through</li><li>People who earn influence through credibility, not flash</li><li>A hands-on, no-nonsense approach to relationship-building and deal-closing </li></ul>What You Can Expect<ul><li>A seat at the commercial front line of a fast-moving venture</li><li>A product that’s fully developed, certified, and ready to ship</li><li>A top-notch technical team that’s deeply respected in the industry</li><li>Real ownership of deals, markets, and impact</li><li>A competitive options and performance upside </li><li>A company culture built around trust, curiosity, and grit</li></ul>

FoodLabs is a pan-European Early Stage VC investor and venture studio for food, sustainability, and health. We strongly believe that entrepreneurship holds the key to pushing the boundaries in the food industry. Based in Berlin and founded by Christophe F. Maire, FoodLabs has built and invested in more than 30 early-stage FoodTech companies since 2016. We&rsquo;re backing the most ambitious, purpose-driven entrepreneurs, who are committed to changing the world&rsquo;s largest industry. With a thesis-driven and purpose-for-growth approach, FoodLabs invests in companies along the entire value chain of the food industry - 'from earth to earth'. FoodLabs has been an early investor in some of the most seminal, fastest-growing European FoodTech startups including Infarm, Meatable, Mushlabs, Sanity Group, Formo and Gorillas. In our FoodLabs studio we identify new opportunities to change the food industry, along with the most daring entrepreneurs and scientists that have what it takes to empower the transformation.

Commercial Director (gn) – Defence @ Stealth DeepTech Venture (Belgium)

About the VentureWe are a European deep tech company building next-generation technology for defense applications at sea. With a fully integrated and certified product, we’ve already secured our first clients and built early traction in one of the world’s most complex and high-stakes markets.Our core technology combines advanced AI, embedded software, and integrated hardware. It’s production-ready, field-proven, and built by a top-notch technical team with deep domain expertise. Backed by leading investors, we’re now entering a critical commercial phase—and expanding our direct presence in defense markets.Your Role and ResponsibilitiesAs Commercial Director – Defense, you will lead direct sales efforts into military markets across Europe, North America, and selected allied regions. This is a senior individual contributor role working directly with the founding team and with the opportunity to build up a team following further funding rounds.&nbsp;You will:<ul><li>Build and execute a go-to-market strategy for defense clients globally</li><li>Develop and maintain relationships with key buyers, users, and procurement stakeholders</li><li>Identify and influence upcoming tenders and funding initiatives across NATO-aligned markets</li><li>Deliver compelling pitches and lead negotiations for complex, high-value deals</li><li>Own the entire sales cycle from prospecting to contract</li><li>Educate customers on emerging capabilities and support them in building business cases internally</li><li>Represent the company at defense and maritime forums, trials, and strategic exercises</li><li>Collaborate closely with product and engineering teams to tailor solutions for market fit </li></ul>What You Need to Succeed<ul><li>A proven track record in defense sales, ideally across multiple geographies</li><li>Experience closing high-value, complex contracts</li><li>Prior service in the Navy, Marines, or a defense-related institution is strongly preferred</li><li>Deep understanding of procurement dynamics within NATO-aligned forces</li><li>Strong technical fluency—you’re comfortable translating advanced systems into strategic value</li><li>Excellent communication, influencing, and negotiation skills across senior ranks and technical teams</li><li>A high degree of autonomy, accountability, and ownership </li></ul>What We Value<ul><li>Mission-driven thinkers with a bias for action</li><li>Entrepreneurial spirit—able to build from scratch, adapt, and scale</li><li>Cultural fluency and the ability to build trust across borders and mindsets</li><li>Strategic patience paired with relentless follow-through</li><li>People who earn influence through credibility, not flash</li><li>A hands-on, no-nonsense approach to relationship-building and deal-closing </li></ul>What You Can Expect<ul><li>A seat at the commercial front line of a fast-moving venture</li><li>A product that’s fully developed, certified, and ready to ship</li><li>A top-notch technical team that’s deeply respected in the industry</li><li>Real ownership of deals, markets, and impact</li><li>A competitive options and performance upside&nbsp;</li><li>A company culture built around trust, curiosity, and grit</li></ul>

Commercial Director (gn) – Defence @ Stealth DeepTech Venture (Belgium)

About the Job

About the Company

FoodLabs

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