Our client is a leading North American independent chemical distributor. Due to company growth, they have an immediate need for a Strategic Market Manager – Metal Working Fluids. The ideal candidate for this role is based in the Charlotte NC area, but candidates located in the SE US will be considered.

The Strategic Market Manager -Metal Working Fluids is responsible for developing, executing, and supporting commercial strategies that drive profitable growth within designated chemical market segments. This role combines market insight, technical understanding, and business acumen to expand gross margin performance and strengthen the company’s market position. Acting as both a strategic leader and hands-on contributor, the Strategic Market Manager collaborates closely with Sales, Product Management, and Operations to deliver innovative solutions, optimize supplier relationships, and align offerings with evolving customer needs.

Responsibilities of this role include:

Strategic and Commercial Execution:

• Build and execute comprehensive commercial strategies for assigned chemical markets to achieve budgeted gross margin ($GM) growth.
• Identify and prioritize high-potential market segments, customers, and applications aligned with company capabilities and supply partnerships.
• Develop and maintain market intelligence, including competitive activity, pricing dynamics, and emerging product or regulatory trends.
• Define product, service, and capability requirements needed to meet market expectations and strengthen the company’s value proposition.

Customer and Account Management:

• Manage several large or strategic anchor accounts to ensure performance, satisfaction, and continued growth.
• Partner with regional sales teams to support customer engagement, opportunity qualification, and solution development.
• Serve as an internal technical and market expert, providing guidance on applications, product selection, and industry trends.
• Lead cross-functional efforts to secure new business wins and retain existing key customers.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Work closely with Product Management and Operations to develop supplier, sourcing, and fulfillment strategies that enable market success.
• Collaborate with internal teams to balance commercial priorities with supply chain, inventory, and service objectives.
• Support the development of marketing materials, training, and communication that reinforce market positioning and growth initiatives.

Performance and Measurement:

• Deliver annual targets for:
  • Gross Margin ($GM) growth by market or product group.
  • Customer wins per year (total and by count).
  • Controllable losses per year (total and by count).
• Monitor and analyze performance metrics, recommending course corrections where needed.

Requirements for this position include:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Business, or a related field (MBA preferred).
• 5+ years of experience in chemical distribution, manufacturing, or related B2B markets.
• Proven track record of driving profitable market growth and managing key accounts in a technical sales environment.
• Strong understanding of supply chain dynamics, pricing strategies, and product management in chemical markets.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Analytical thinker with the ability to turn market data into actionable commercial strategies

The salary for this position is $140,000 - $150,000 plus bonus, car allowance, and full benefits.

Interested candidates should forward a resume (MS Word attachment preferred) plus a brief email describing your relevant experience and reasons for your interest to: Christl@jsmithassoc.com. Or call (519) 270-3780 for more information. All inquiries will be held in strict confidence.

Jeff Smith & Associates is a technical recruiting firm that specializes in the placement of exceptional candidates in the Water and Wastewater Treatment industries. To view other opportunities on which we are currently working, go to our website at www.jsmithassoc.com.

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