A Selection of Global Case Studies

Biesterfeld France

Appointing a Business Development Manager to accelerate growth in Medical & Healthcare polymers

Biesterfeld is one of Europe’s leading distributors of plastics, rubber and specialty chemicals. As part of a new SBU strategy, the company has set out to deepen its position in the international medical and healthcare market, an environment defined by tight regulatory expectations, qualification processes and cleanroom-capable manufacturing. Maximising business opportunities in the French market is a key part of this strategy.  To realise this opportunity, Biesterfeld created a Business Development Manager role focused on medical plastics applications, operating as a principal partner to one of the world’s most renowned high-performance polymer producers.

How Listgrove supported

Working on a retained basis, Listgrove partnered with Biesterfeld’s French HR and leadership teams to define the ideal profile: a technically-minded commercial professional with several years’ experience in sales or business development, fluent in the nuances of medical plastics (materials, processing, legal and regulatory considerations) and comfortable operating autonomously across France. We then executed a targeted headhunt, engaging candidates from medical and healthcare OEMs, cleanroom moulders and specialist plastics material suppliers who could translate technical requirements into viable programmes and revenue.

The brief called for a commercially driven sales and marketing specialist with hands-on exposure to the medical ecosystem—either from an OEM producing devices and components or from an injection moulder serving the sector. Beyond new business creation, the role would shape segment strategy, originate application developments, and provide sustained technical–commercial support to existing accounts. Success demanded the ability to map decision makers, gather detailed customer intelligence, influence across complex value chains and represent the brand at industry fairs and technical forums. Close collaboration with Product Management and Product Marketing was essential to refine the segment portfolio and position it effectively.

Assessment centred on four questions: could the candidate originate new applications and build a credible development pipeline; sustain and grow existing business through disciplined key-account practice; read market trends and convert them into segment tactics; and collaborate internally to shape portfolio and positioning. Throughout, we maintained transparent weekly communication, sharing market response, refining targeting and ensuring full alignment on priorities.

The Outcome

Biesterfeld appointed a Business Development Manager with the commercial energy, technical depth, market literacy and business know-how to advance its medical and healthcare strategy in France. The appointment will improve coverage, sharpen segment messaging and create a stronger foundation for sustained growth in regulated medical applications.

What Candidates Say

“My experience working with Listgrove has been very positive. From the first contact, I was impressed by the professionalism and efficiency of the process. In particular, Conrad showed a deep understanding of both the role and the industry, along with excellent communication and consistent follow-up throughout the recruitment process.

Listgrove maintain strong relationships with leading companies in these industries and engage with candidates who have substantial, relevant experience. Their deep sector expertise allows them to understand precisely what is needed to achieve the right candidate–role–company match. I would not hesitate to work with Listgrove again or to recommend them to others.”

Business Development Manager Medical/ Healthcare, Biesterfeld France

What Clients Say

“Listgrove delivered a comprehensive recruitment process, demonstrated extensive knowledge of the plastic medical/healthcare injection moulding market, and presented a shortlist where every profile was relevant.” HR Manager, Biesterfeld France