Antal International is a global recruitment service firm, we present in more than 30 countries with 150+ offices. Our office in Paris specialized on hiring in chemical sector.

We are hiring for our client: Commercial / Business Development Director - Performance Product – Specialities Chemicals- EAST AFRICA

Location: Nairobi – KENYA

Attractive salary package and other benefits

Our client is one of the global leaders in the distribution of specialty chemicals.

Our client now represents manufacturers around the world, all recognized for the high performance of their products.

My client has been able to adapt and diversify over the years to cover many markets such as adhesives, construction, detergents, lubricants, paints and inks, plastics, polyurethane, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals.

We are looking for a dynamic person who is customer orientated and takes pride on delivering a high level of customer service. Pioneer – entrepreneurship spirit.

The Commercial / Business Development Director - Performance Product – Specialities Chemicals- EAST AFRICA will involve in starting up our business in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, with a main focus on Coatings and Rubber markets. (Including facilitate legal entity implementation in Nairobi)

Hands on mentality and he/she should know his/her way in the local system and be willing to spend time on the set up first.

The successful candidate will need to have tenacity to maintain this on a long-term basis.  Therefore, it is important that they have the capability to use their own initiative and work independently.

With a “can do” positive attitude who uses initiative to quickly, establish long-term relationships with their customers and suppliers. 

The successful candidate will be expected to understand the technical nature of the raw materials so that they can introduce raw materials into new formulations. (Coatings and rubber)

This role will also involve selling to commercial teams and this will involve the ability to negotiate pricing with customers and suppliers.  The overall objective of the role is to grow both the turnover and profitability of performance product portfolio/market as a priority.

This position reports to General Manager located in Europe.

Mission – Keys responsibilities:

• Facilitate legal entity implementation in Nairobi, legal and location facility
• Sourcing and explore new product line/new supplier’s opportunities.
• Evaluation, definition and positioning product portfolio according to market requirement
• Ensures the Sales & Commercial introduction to targeted marketplace.
• Regular customer visits in the country to develop new business and establishing new customers
• Quoting and negotiating with customers and suppliers
• Manage keys Suppliers, sourcing/Pricing.
• Marketing and promotion - Implement Pipeline for new projects
• Develop comprehensive offer list.
• Ensures the promotion, communication for specific product lines.
• Define action plans to reach commercial objectives in line with BU and supplier’s strategy.
• Regular follow up of turnover/ margins according to budget and objectives
• Follow market trends, competitors SWOT analysis, regulation and supplier strategy
• Maintain promotional and technical information (Product guide, TDS, MSDS)
• Participation to the promotion, marketing actions and communication (trade fairs, associations…)
• Manage problems or claim -Interface between supplier and sales offices
• Full cooperation and synergies with entire eam. (EU)
• Continuously develop technical skills and knowledge within areas of responsibility.
• Prevents and manages the conflicts of any nature with customers

Qualification et Experience :

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry Chemical - Advanced degree Master preferred.
• Commercial Experience of 5-10 years minimum in Coating, Rubber/Elastomers markets (Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania)
• Pioneer – entrepreneurship spirit.
• Proactive – Flexible – Enthusiastic – Confident
• Team player able to interact with different people at different levels and with different culture
• Excellent clear concise communicator
• Ability to use own initiative - Problem solver
• Self-motivated, must be able to work independently
• Desire to travel on a regular long-term basis
• Able to analyse - Organized approach-Detail oriented
• Competence IT user
• Full driving License / Working permit
• Fluent in English (Spoken, Written).