VP of Sales (with path to Chief Commercial Officer) in York
VP of Sales (with path to Chief Commercial Officer)

VP of Sales (with path to Chief Commercial Officer) in York

York Full-Time 80000 - 120000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
Interstellar Lab

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead sales strategy for sustainable plant production and space research collaborations.
  • Company: Join Interstellar Lab, a pioneering company in AI-powered greenhouse technology.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, uncapped commission, equity, and a chance to impact Earth and space.
  • Other info: Dynamic startup environment with opportunities for growth and innovation.
  • Why this job: Be at the forefront of plant science and space exploration with a mission-driven team.
  • Qualifications: 7+ years in B2B sales, strong plant science knowledge, and proven deal-closing skills.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 120000 ÂŁ per year.

Full-time In-person

Our Mission

At Interstellar Lab, we are building a future full of life, on Earth and beyond. We advance plant cultivation and science through AI-powered autonomous greenhouse systems that enable precise and controlled plant growth. Our solution provides sustainable, high-performance production of botanicals — enhancing terrestrial biodiversity, resource efficiency, and natural ingredient quality—while preparing life for multi-planetary expansion. On Earth, our BioPods provide optimized, low-impact cultivation for the beauty, fragrance, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical industries. In space, we conduct microgravity plant research to reveal fundamental insights into growth, adaptation, and biochemistry, driving spin-off innovations for Earth applications and supporting long-duration missions in Space through partnerships with agencies and commercial providers.

About the Role

As Director or VP of Sales (poised to become Chief Commercial Officer), you will lead commercialization with a plant-science-driven strategy. You will manage two distinct yet synergistic commercial streams:

  • Primary focus – Sustainable plant production on Earth: Drive sales of BioPods and recurring services to large enterprises in cosmetics, fragrance, perfume, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals. Position BioPods as the leading solution for controlled-environment, sustainable cultivation that boosts metabolite yields, ensures batch consistency, minimizes environmental footprint (near-zero water/pesticide use), and delivers premium, traceable natural ingredients.
  • Separate strategic track – Space program opportunities: Independently pursue customers and partners for microgravity plant research collaborations. Target the same industries (or their R&D divisions) plus space-focused entities to fund and co-develop experiments on upcoming orbital platforms—exploring low-gravity effects on plant physiology, nutrient uptake, phenotyping, genetic responses, and bioactive enhancement—to unlock proprietary insights that accelerate Earth-based optimization while building our space program revenue.

You will engage at the CEO and C-level with confidence, own end-to-end commercial strategy across both tracks, and report directly to the CEO on segmented revenue, pipeline health, and growth metrics.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute a high-impact sales strategy for Earth-based BioPod deployments, securing large-scale contracts for sustainable, high-value plant production.
  • Separately cultivate a dedicated space-program pipeline: identify and qualify partners interested in sponsoring or collaborating on microgravity plant science experiments, leveraging synergies for terrestrial R&D benefits.
  • Qualify leads, negotiate, and close complex deals—including BioPod hardware + long-term services on Earth, and research/partnership agreements for space-based studies.
  • Maintain a segmented, robust pipeline: lead generation through industry networks (beauty/pharma for Earth; R&D/innovation + space stakeholders for partnerships) to contract signature.
  • Deliver accurate, trackable revenue forecasts and KPIs (split by Earth contracts vs. space milestones/partnership funding), with direct CEO reporting.
  • Represent Interstellar Lab at targeted events: plant science, cosmetics, pharma, and ingredient conferences for Earth sales; life-sciences and microgravity research forums (U.S. and Europe) for space opportunities.

Profile / Qualifications

  • 7+ years of B2B sales leadership in cosmetics, fragrance, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, or plant-derived ingredient supply chains—with strong knowledge of plant science, bioactive/metabolite production, and sustainable sourcing practices.
  • Demonstrated success closing complex, seven-figure+ deals with Fortune 500-equivalent companies.
  • Established C-level network in target industries; proven ability to engage R&D/innovation leaders on advanced plant research and cross-sector opportunities.
  • Experience owning full commercial P&L and scaling revenue from $20M in tech-enabled or high-growth settings.
  • Entrepreneurial mindset to establish scalable processes in a startup; adept at handling dual-market strategies (mature terrestrial vs. emerging space).
  • Fluent English (native/bilingual); Bachelor’s in Business, Life Sciences, Plant Biology, Agronomy, or related field; MBA a plus.
  • Bonus: Background in agtech, space intersections, microgravity biology, or industry-funded scientific partnerships.

Compensation

Competitive fixed salary + uncapped commission based on revenue milestones (Earth contracts + space partnership/funding achievements), plus equity in a mission-driven, high-growth company.

Equal Opportunity

Interstellar Lab is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected characteristics.

VP of Sales (with path to Chief Commercial Officer) in York employer: Interstellar Lab

Interstellar Lab is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation meets sustainability. As a VP of Sales, you will not only lead the charge in commercialising cutting-edge plant cultivation technologies but also have the opportunity to shape the future of life on Earth and beyond. With a strong focus on employee growth, competitive compensation, and a mission-driven culture, Interstellar Lab empowers its team to make meaningful contributions while fostering a collaborative atmosphere that values diverse perspectives.
Interstellar Lab

Contact Detail:

Interstellar Lab Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land VP of Sales (with path to Chief Commercial Officer) in York

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry leaders, especially in cosmetics, pharma, and plant science. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy to reach out on LinkedIn. We all know that who you know can sometimes matter just as much as what you know!

✨Tip Number 2

Show your passion for the mission! When you’re chatting with potential employers or partners, make sure to express your enthusiasm for sustainable plant production and space research. We want to see that you’re not just in it for the job, but that you genuinely care about making a difference.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for those tough questions! You’ll likely face some challenging scenarios during interviews, especially around closing complex deals. Brush up on your negotiation skills and have examples ready that showcase your success in similar situations. We believe in being ready for anything!

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our mission at Interstellar Lab. Let’s make this happen together!

We think you need these skills to ace VP of Sales (with path to Chief Commercial Officer) in York

B2B Sales Leadership
Plant Science Knowledge
Bioactive/Metabolite Production
Sustainable Sourcing Practices
Complex Deal Negotiation
C-Level Engagement
Revenue Forecasting
Pipeline Management
Commercial Strategy Development
Partnership Development
Entrepreneurial Mindset
Dual-Market Strategy Handling
Networking in Target Industries
Experience with P&L Management
Fluent English Communication

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for plant science and sustainable practices shine through. We want to see how your values align with our mission at Interstellar Lab!

Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in B2B sales, especially in the cosmetics or pharmaceutical industries. We’re looking for someone who can drive sales of BioPods, so connect your past achievements to our goals.

Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your skills and experiences, as we appreciate direct communication—especially when it comes to complex deals!

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensure you’re considered for this exciting role.

How to prepare for a job interview at Interstellar Lab

✨Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of plant science and sustainable practices. Understand how BioPods work and be ready to discuss their benefits in detail. This will show that you're not just interested in the sales aspect, but also genuinely care about the product and its impact.

✨Showcase Your Network

Since this role involves engaging with C-level executives, be prepared to talk about your established network in the cosmetics, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceutical industries. Highlight any previous partnerships or collaborations you've initiated, as this will demonstrate your ability to leverage relationships for business growth.

✨Prepare for Complex Deal Discussions

Expect to discuss your experience with closing complex deals, especially those worth seven figures or more. Have specific examples ready that showcase your negotiation skills and how you navigated challenges to secure contracts. This will help illustrate your capability to handle high-stakes situations.

✨Align with Their Mission

Interstellar Lab is all about advancing plant cultivation for a sustainable future. Make sure you align your personal values and professional goals with their mission. Share your passion for sustainability and innovation in plant science during the interview to resonate with their vision.

VP of Sales (with path to Chief Commercial Officer) in York
Interstellar Lab
Location: York

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