Director, global sales (specialty chemical, silica)

Global Sales Director Job Summary Responsible for leading the worldwide Sales strategy, accelerating revenue growth, and expanding global market share for silica products. Strong focus on driving expansion in Europe and Asia. Key Responsibilities Global Sales Leadership
Develop and execute a comprehensive global sales strategy to achieve revenue, profitability, and market expansion targets.
Lead global forecasting, pipeline management, and sales planning processes aligned with overall business goals.
Identify new global markets, applications, and customer segments to support long‑term business growth.
Ensure consistent sales execution across regions while tailoring approaches to local market dynamics. Team Management & Leadership
Lead, mentor, and develop a global sales team, including account managers, technical sales personnel, and business development leaders.
Drive a high‑performance culture focused on accountability, customer engagement, and continuous improvement.
Oversee regional sales structures, staffing needs, succession planning, and talent development.
Ensure consistent use of CRM and standardized sales processes across all regions. Customer & Market Engagement
Build and maintain strong executive‑level relationships with key multinational customers, distributors, OEMs, and strategic partners.
Represent the company at major global trade shows, industry conferences, and customer events.
Gather and synthesize global customer insights to guide product development and commercial strategy.
Lead negotiations for major global agreements, pricing structures, and multi‑year contracts. Business & Financial Management
Own the global sales budget, pricing strategy, margin targets, and commercial policies.
Conduct global profitability analyses and develop corrective action plans as required.
Provide quarterly business reviews, regional sales reports, pipeline analytics, and competitive assessments to executive leadership.
Work with global demand planning on Supply Chain and Operations to meet customer needs. Cross‑Functional & Global Collaboration
Partner with Manufacturing, Operations, R&D, Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance, and Product Management to support customer requirements and drive sales alignment.
Support global product launches, technical innovations, and new application development initiatives.
Serve as a key member of the global management team, contributing to long‑term business strategy and portfolio decisions. Qualifications & Experience Required
Bachelor’s degree in business, Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, or related field preferred.
15+ years of sales experience in silica, specialty materials, chemicals, minerals, or similar manufacturing industries.
Proven success managing a global customer base or leading multi‑region commercial operations.
Strong technical understanding of silica applications or comparable specialty raw materials.
Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire diverse sales teams across multiple geographies and cultures. Preferred
10+ years of sales management or leadership experience.
Experience managing global distributor networks and strategic customer programs.
MBA or other advanced degree preferred Skills & Competencies
Strong strategic thinking, business acumen, and market‑driven mindset.
Excellent negotiation, communication, and executive‑presence skills.
Ability to influence and collaborate effectively in a complex, matrixed global organization.
Fluency in English required; additional languages are an advantage.
High willingness to travel internationally.