President & Head of U.S. Sales (m/f/d) Chemical Raw Materials & Specialties - U.S. Market Launch

Remote, based near a major U.S. airport, or at our Chicago office | 30–40% travel

Our privately owned group specializes in importing and distributing chemical raw materials for industrial applications. Headquartered in Vienna, Austria, we have grown to annual sales of $250 million, with a multinational team across sixteen locations in Europe and Asia. We are already among the leading sales organizations serving selected industrial sectors in Europe. To strengthen and expand our existing U.S. business, which has been managed from Vienna to date, we are building a local team at our newly established ProChema America LLC.

Your Role and Responsibilities

• Take the lead in expanding our U.S. business and building our first dedicated U.S. operation. As President & Head of U.S. Sales, you will serve as our lead salesperson, develop customer relationships, and drive product launches.

• Together with your colleague and Vice President, who will relocate from Vienna, build a commercial team and add new members as revenue grows.

• Initially, take direct responsibility for business development and establish early key accounts for chemical intermediates and specialties used in the manufacture of adhesives, construction chemicals, coatings, composites, lubricants, polyurethanes, and synthetic resins.

• In collaboration with company management, develop the commercial strategy for an initially defined U.S. territory, including target segments, pricing, logistics, and a phased go-to-market plan.

• Execute and refine the U.S. sales plan, drive new customer acquisition, and build long-term customer relationships and strong key accounts, supported by an expanding local operations team.

• Advise customers on price volatility, cost drivers, and product availability, including the impact of petrochemical feedstock prices and ocean freight rates on global sourcing.

• Monitor customer demand, competitor activity, pricing, and supply conditions across the U.S. market. Represent the company at trade shows and industry events.

• Travel approximately 30–40% of the time, primarily within the United States, with occasional international trips to work with our European leadership and product teams.

Your Qualifications and Strengths

• A bachelor’s degree in business, chemistry, supply chain management, or a related field—or equivalent professional experience.

• At least five years of B2B field sales and/or market development experience in the distribution of chemical raw materials and intermediates.

• Experience selling to manufacturers of adhesives, construction chemicals, coatings, composites, lubricants, polyurethanes, synthetic resins, or related products. Established customer contacts and market knowledge in at least two of these industries are required.

• Demonstrated success in market research, market development, and product launches, including developing a new territory with limited existing infrastructure. A strong drive to establish and shape a business in its early stages.

• An entrepreneurial, hands-on approach to sales, with a clear customer focus and the persistence to turn prospects into lasting business relationships.

• Commercial curiosity, technical aptitude, and the leadership ambition to recruit, build, and develop a successful team.

• Proficiency with CRM systems and the ability to analyze sales data, prepare forecasts, and translate insights into action.

What We Offer

• A true entrepreneurial opportunity to build and shape our U.S. business and local organization, backed by the financial strength, chemical industry expertise, and established operating capabilities of an international group.

• A long-term opportunity to grow the business, develop a local team, and shape our future U.S. presence.

• An attractive compensation and benefits package, including performance-based incentives.

• A collaborative, multicultural environment built on trust, autonomy, and long-term business relationships.

We look forward to meeting you!

Please apply via the “Apply now” button.

Your contact for this recruitment process is: Natalia Dabrowska, HR Management, ProChema: natalia.dabrowska@prochema.com