Head of U.S. Sales – Chemical Raw Materials & Specialties

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Illinois.

📋 Description

• Spearhead the growth of the U.S. business and establish the inaugural dedicated U.S. operation.

• Act as the primary salesperson, fostering customer relationships and facilitating product launches.

• Collaborate with the Vice President to assemble a commercial team and recruit additional members as revenue increases.

• Assume direct responsibility for business development and identify early key accounts.

• Formulate the commercial strategy for the designated U.S. territory, encompassing target segments, pricing, logistics, and a phased go-to-market plan.

• Implement and enhance the U.S. sales strategy.

• Drive new customer acquisition while cultivating long-term customer relationships and key accounts.

• Advise clients on price fluctuations, cost influences, and product availability.

• Clarify the effects of petrochemical feedstock prices and ocean freight rates on global sourcing.

• Track customer demand, competitor actions, pricing, and supply conditions throughout the U.S. market.

• Represent the company at trade shows and industry gatherings.

• Travel primarily within the United States, with occasional international trips to engage with European leadership and product teams.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in business, chemistry, supply chain management, or a related field—or equivalent professional experience.

• Minimum of five years of B2B field sales and/or market development experience in the distribution of chemical raw materials and intermediates.

• Proven success in selling to manufacturers of adhesives, construction chemicals, coatings, composites, lubricants, polyurethanes, synthetic resins, or similar products.

• Established customer relationships and market expertise in at least two of these industries.

• Demonstrated success in market research, market development, and product launches.

• Experience in developing a new territory with limited existing infrastructure.

• Strong motivation to establish and influence a business during its early stages.

• Entrepreneurial, proactive approach to sales with a clear focus on customer needs.

• Commercial curiosity paired with technical proficiency.

• Leadership aspirations to recruit, cultivate, and develop a successful team.

• Competence with CRM systems.

• Ability to analyze sales data, create forecasts, and convert insights into actionable strategies.

• Capability to work remotely from a location near a major U.S. airport or from the Chicago office.

• Willingness to travel approximately 30–40% of the time.

🏝️ Benefits

• 20 days of annual leave.

• Competitive compensation and benefits package.

• Performance-based incentives.

• Collaborative, multicultural environment founded on trust, autonomy, and long-term business relationships.

• Opportunity to develop and shape the U.S. business and local organization.

• Chance to expand the business, build a local team, and influence the future U.S. presence.