Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Manager, Business Development

at Terracycle

🏢 About Terracycle

TerraCycle is a global leader in recycling hard-to-recycle waste streams, turning materials like ocean plastics and cigarette butts into eco-friendly products. Its mission-driven culture and innovative business model offer a unique opportunity to drive environmental impact at scale.

About This Role

As Senior Manager of Business Development, you will own the full sales cycle—from prospecting to closing partnerships—while managing a team and shaping TerraCycle's expansion into new markets. This role directly impacts the company's growth and mission by converting waste streams into revenue and environmental wins.

💡 A Day in the Life

Start the day reviewing CRM pipeline and team's outreach metrics, then hop on a call with a potential retail partner to discuss a new recycling program. Midday, mentor a junior BD associate on cold email strategy, and spend the afternoon analyzing market trends to identify next quarter's target industries. End the day by negotiating contract terms with a municipal client via email.

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🎯 Who Terracycle Is Looking For

  • Has 5-10 years of B2B sales experience in waste management, recycling, or environmental services, with a proven track record of exceeding targets.
  • Excels at high-volume outbound prospecting (cold calls, emails, LinkedIn) and can qualify leads quickly using CRM data.
  • Possesses strong contract negotiation skills and has managed complex, multi-stakeholder partnerships.
  • Demonstrates leadership experience, including mentoring junior team members and fostering a collaborative, results-driven culture.

📝 Tips for Applying to Terracycle

1

Highlight specific revenue growth or partnership deals you've closed in the recycling or waste industry, quantifying results (e.g., 'Secured $2M annual contract with a Fortune 500 retailer').

2

Tailor your resume to include CRM proficiency (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) and SAP experience if you have it, as these are explicitly mentioned.

3

In your cover letter, mention a TerraCycle program you admire (e.g., Loop, Zero Waste Box) and propose a specific new partnership or market opportunity.

4

Prepare a brief strategic plan (1-page) for expanding TerraCycle's offerings in a sector like e-commerce or CPG, and attach it as a supplemental document.

5

Showcase team mentoring by describing how you've coached junior sales reps to improve performance or close deals.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your passion for sustainability and alignment with TerraCycle's mission to eliminate waste.", "Concrete examples of how you've built a sales pipeline from scratch and closed complex deals in the waste/recycling sector.", 'Your experience managing and mentoring teams, with specific metrics on team performance improvements.', 'A forward-looking idea for a new business development initiative (e.g., partnering with municipal governments or launching a new recycling service).']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Study TerraCycle's key programs: Loop (reusable packaging), Zero Waste Boxes, and their national recycling programs with brands like Garnier and Colgate.
  • → Review recent press releases or blog posts about new partnerships or expansions (e.g., TerraCycle's work with major retailers).
  • → Understand the competitive landscape: how TerraCycle differs from traditional recyclers and other circular economy startups.
  • → Look into the company's financial health and growth trajectory (e.g., any recent funding rounds or revenue milestones).

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk us through your approach to building a sales pipeline in a new territory or market.
2 Describe a time you negotiated a complex contract with a large partner. What was your strategy?
3 How would you mentor a junior team member who is struggling to meet outreach targets?
4 What trends do you see in the recycling industry that TerraCycle should capitalize on?
5 How do you prioritize which prospects to pursue when you have a long list of leads?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't reference TerraCycle's specific programs or mission.
  • Failing to quantify achievements—vague claims like 'increased sales' without numbers won't stand out.
  • Ignoring the team management aspect: don't focus solely on individual sales; emphasize leadership and mentorship.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Terracycle!

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