Job Title: Sales Manager - Specialty Chemicals (Surfactants, Biocides & EPA-Registered Products)
Location: Houston, TX or Remote
Job Type: Full-Time
Company Overview: Our client is a leader in specialty chemicals, offering cutting-edge solutions across multiple markets, including household, industrial, and institutional cleaning; emulsion polymerization; metalworking; lubricants and additives; oilfield and gas production; and personal care and hygiene. We deliver products designed to meet the highest regulatory standards, focusing on biocides, EPA-registered Manufacturing Use Products (MUPs), and sustainable chemical solutions that drive industry innovation.
Job Summary: Our client is seeking an experienced Sales Manager with a strong background in specialty chemicals, particularly in biocides, emulsion polymerization surfactants, and EPA-registered MUPs. This role will focus on expanding EFI's presence across diverse market groups, including cleaning products, oilfield and gas production chemicals, metalworking, water treatment, and personal care. The ideal candidate will strategically drive growth, cultivate client relationships, and leverage EFI's product strengths to capture market share in highly regulated sectors.
Key Responsibilities:
• Strategic Sales Planning and Execution: Develop and execute a comprehensive sales strategy targeting EFI's core markets—household, industrial, and institutional cleaning; emulsion polymerization; metalworking; lubricants and additives; oilfield and gas production; and personal care and hygiene. Drive strategic sales efforts to achieve and exceed growth targets within these segments.
• Market Intelligence and Competitive Positioning: Conduct thorough market research and stay informed on industry trends, regulatory changes, and competitive activities. Use this insight to position us as a trusted provider of compliant, high-performance chemical solutions, particularly in biocides, EPA-registered MUPs, and water treatment applications. • Key Account Management and Relationship Development: Build and sustain robust client relationships across diverse industries, including personal care, industrial cleaning, metalworking, and oilfield applications. Act as a primary point of contact, delivering tailored solutions to meet clients' needs and regulatory requirements.
• New Business Development and Market Expansion: Identify and capture new business opportunities across targeted industries, including emulsion polymerization, water treatment, and regulated markets. Present differentiated product solutions to expand our market footprint and address complex customer challenges.
• Product Knowledge and Technical Insight: Develop and maintain a deep understanding of our specialty chemical portfolio, especially in biocides, EPA-registered MUPs, and emulsion polymerization surfactants. Work closely with R&D team to align product attributes with market demands and communicate these benefits to clients.
• Regulatory Compliance and Expertise in EPA Standards: Act as a knowledgeable resource on EPA and other regulatory requirements, particularly for MUPs and EUPs. Educate clients on regulatory compliance strengths, building confidence and trust in our product offerings.
• Customized Solutions and Client Needs Analysis: Engage closely with clients to assess their unique requirements across different market groups. Develop tailored solutions that comply with regulatory standards and meet client specifications in applications ranging from industrial cleaning to personal care and water treatment.
• Sales Forecasting, Data Analysis, and Strategic Reporting: Lead accurate sales forecasting and analyze key performance metrics. Provide strategic insights to management, regularly reporting on sales progress, pipeline opportunities, and emerging market trends to support data-driven decisions.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration and Product Development Input: Partner with marketing, product management, and R&D teams to refine product strategies and gather feedback from the field. Contribute valuable insights to product development efforts, ensuring offerings remain aligned with market needs and regulatory requirements.
Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Business, or a related field; an advanced degree or MBA is preferred.
• At least 5 years of experience in specialty chemicals sales, with a proven track record in diverse markets, including emulsion polymerization, cleaning chemicals, oilfield, water treatment, and EPA-registered MUPs.
• Strong regulatory knowledge, especially regarding EPA compliance for MUPs, and familiarity with standards applicable to biocides and specialty chemicals in highly regulated industries.
• Familiarity with key target markets, including personal care, household and industrial cleaning, metalworking, lubricants, oilfield chemicals, and water treatment.
• Exceptional relationship-building and strategic communication skills, capable of establishing the company as a reliable partner across various market sectors.
Strong analytical skills, strategic thinking, and proficiency in CRM systems, Microsoft Office, and sales forecasting tools.
• Willingness to travel up to 50% for client meetings, industry events, and strategic relationship-building.
What Our Client Offers:
• Competitive salary with performance-based bonuses (future stock options)
• Comprehensive benefits, including health insurance, and paid time off
• Career advancement opportunities in a high-growth, innovation-focused environment
• A collaborative workplace committed to regulatory compliance, sustainable practices, and industry leadership
With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.
