Business Manager - Chlor-Alkali – London

Our client is a Global supplier of chemicals to a wide range of industries, with offices around the world, it is a dynamic and influential organization. Due to continued success, a role has arisen to manage and develop their Chlor-Alkali business into the EMEA region.

This new position has been created, as a result of a restructure which will require the transfer of Business Development tasks and other Commercial operations, away from the General Manager, to Business Management within the team. Once the job holder is in post, it will also enable some flexibility in the allocation and support of the specific businesses managed by team members.

Role:

• Take the co-ordinating role in the EMEA Chlor-Alkali team for Caustic Soda (CSS), which would include all aspects of creating strategy, planning business, sourcing, maximising the efficiency of logistics arrangements, through to sales and marketing. As the post holder gains experience, this would naturally expand to provide initiative, direction, support for the Chlor-Alkali team members around Europe.
• Responsibility for the profitability and long term development of UK and other sales businesses together with the current Business Manager, as mutually agreed.

Key Responsibilities:

• Chlor-Alkali Business – Within the Chlor-Alkali business, business development of the CSS sales working with suppliers, potential customers (directly and/or in conjunction with EMEA team members around the region). Work closely with Japanese and American colleagues for the global business, to maximise and create value with Caustic Soda (CSS) within the EMEA region.
• Together with the Product Leader carry out budgeting and subsequent monitoring of the business performance of the Chlor-Alkali domains products.

• Marketing & Sales - Full bottom line responsibility for specific Basic Materials and Fertiliser products to be agreed. The range of products managed by the post holder, will depend upon their individual experience, as well as the changing requirements of the business from time to time,

Relationships:

• With colleagues of a global team within the chemical sector, particularly for Chlor-Alkali business stream.
• With global but mainly European supplier and customers of the department.
• Internal support departments including Legal, Accounts, Risk Management and Finance.
• External service providers such as ship brokers, ships agents, surveyors, haulage companies etc.

CANDIDATE SPECIFICATION Skills / Knowledge:

• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Numerical and analytical skills essential.
• IT skills including Word, Excel and Outlook/ Exchange. A good command of Excel is necessary.
• Ability to manage a variety of tasks within strict timeframes.
• Well organized, with a forward thinking, proactive attitude.
• Good negotiation and influencing skills.
• Good cultural awareness through working in an international environment.
• Knowledge of Incoterms - the ICC (International Chamber of Commerce) official rules for the interpretation of trade terms essential.
• Shipping knowledge and experience would also be highly advantageous.

Experience:

• Minimum 5-10 years working in a sales or product management area within Commodity Chemicals in a multinational trading or chemicals company..
• Some experience of an import / export role.
• Experience of working within Chlor-Alkali and Caustic Soda markets would be advantageous, but not essential.

Education:

• An undergraduate degree in Business studies, Chemistry or similar.

In return our client is offering an attractive salary package.

Whitehall is the Recruitment Specialist for the Chemical, Polymer, Coatings and Life Science based Industries.