SUMMARY:
Our client, a key player in the distribution of high-performance synthetic chemical ingredients into the personal care and homecare industries, is seeking to appoint a Sales Director who will be responsible for driving growth across national and regional markets. The individual will work closely with R&D, global suppliers, and key cosmetic sectors to introduce new technologies, expand market reach, and build a high-performance sales organisation.
POSITION INFO:
Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Translate Board-level strategy into practical commercial execution plans.
- To pursue markets, customers and products, which can deliver long-term profitability and sustainability of the business and satisfy the identified needs of customers who require our products throughout South Africa and appropriate global markets.
- Identify market trends, emerging technologies, and new opportunities across personal care, home care, and cosmetic sectors.
- Lead national sales strategy, ensuring sustainable growth across all product categories
Sales Growth & Market Development- Drive revenue growth in existing and new markets.
- Expand key account relationships and open new channels to industry sectors that depend on high-performance lubrication chemistry.
- Develop annual budgets, forecasts, and sales targets aligned with business objectives.
- Implement structured sales processes, reporting tools, and customer management disciplines.
Product & Technology Commercialisation- Work closely with R&D team to evaluate and commercialise new emollient technologies as well as Synthetic and Biodegradable Sustainable Lubricants sourced globally for a South African market.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with international principals and technology partners.
- Oversee product launches, positioning, pricing, value propositions and technical sales support.
Team Leadership & Performance Management- Lead, coach, and develop a national sales team.
- Create a performance culture centred on accountability, client service excellence, and technical credibility.
- Ensure alignment between Sales, R&D, Technical, Operations and Supply Chain.
Stakeholder & Industry Engagement- Build and maintain industry credibility with clients, suppliers, technical bodies, and regulatory authorities.
- Represent the business at conferences, technical events and key customer forums.
Required ExperienceTechnical & Sector Background- Experience in emollient technology, speciality chemicals or advanced Functional chemistry.
- Exposure working with high-performance lubricants, synthetic chemistries, additives or related engineered products.
- Commercial Track Record
- 5+ years in senior sales leadership roles in the same or a similar industry.
- Demonstrated ability to take a mandate/strategy and convert it into a viable and profitable business outcome.
- Proven success in market development, account expansion and commercialising technical products.
- Strong experience managing budgets, forecasts, and long-cycle B2B sales cycles.
Leadership Competencies- Entrepreneurial mindset with strong operational execution capability.
- Highly credible, polished communicator with the ability to influence at all organisational levels.
- Strategic thinker with hands-on, practical implementation skill.
- Ability to lead cross-functional teams and inspire high performance.
Qualifications- Degree in Sales, Business or related field; (and/or)
- Degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related technical field (advantageous)
- Valid driver’s licence and willingness to travel nationally/internationally.
Key Personal Attributes- Entrepreneurial thinker with strong commercial instincts.
- High integrity, professional presence, respected in the industry.
- Analytical, methodical, and results-driven.
- Strong relationship-builder and communicator.
- Passion for technology adoption, innovation, and continuous improvement.
