Technical Sales Manager - Coatings Additives & Advanced Formulation Solutions
24 days ago
Haslingden
This is a commercially driven but technically deep role focused on selling performance chemistry into sophisticated formulators. You will operate at the interface of chemistry, formulation science and commercial strategy — targeting coatings manufacturers and specialist industrial producers. This role is about value creation, technical substitution and strategic growth, not transactional order taking. What You Will Be Responsible ForStrategic Account Development • Identify high-potential coating formulators, • Map technical decision makers (R&D, procurement, technical directors), • Build multi-level relationships within customer organisations, • Develop long-term supply frameworks rather than spot sales, • Protect margin while growing volumeTechnical Substitution & Performance Selling You will actively identify opportunities to replace incumbent multinational suppliers through: • Understanding formulation structure and performance requirements, • Analysing current additive systems (dispersants, defoamers, rheology modifiers, polymers), • Proposing alternative chemistries with cost or performance advantages, • Supporting lab trials and comparative testing, • Translating test data into commercial value You must be comfortable discussing: • Acrylic and styrene acrylic dispersion behaviour, • Acrylate and methacrylate chemistry, • Surfactant adsorption and dispersion mechanics, • Polymer function in varying systems, • Foam control mechanisms (mineral oil, silicone, hybrid technologies), • Rheology modification and viscosity control, • Compatibility issues and stability mechanismsMarket Intelligence & Commercial Positioning You will be expected to: • Monitor raw material trends (acrylic acid, styrene, butyl acrylate, mineral oils, energy impact), • Understand competitor positioning, • Track margin movement and cost drivers, • Advise leadership on pricing strategy, • Anticipate market shifts rather than react to them This is especially critical in volatile petrochemical markets where pricing agility is essential. Technical–Commercial Bridge You will serve as the bridge between: • Internal technical teams, • Customers' R&D departments, • Commercial leadership You must be able to: • Translate lab performance into commercial language, • Translate commercial constraints into technical objectives, • Identify formulation simplification opportunities, • Contribute to product development strategyNew Product & Portfolio Expansion Beyond selling existing products, you will: • Identify gaps in the portfolio, • Recognise emerging formulation trends, • Recommend new chemistry platforms, • Help shape product positioning, • Contribute to technical marketing content