Durban: Consumer Care Sales Director

Responsibilities Strategic Leadership Translate Board-level strategy into practical commercial execution plans. To pursue markets, customers and products, which can deliver long-term profitability and sustainability of the business and satisfy the identified needs of customers who require our products throughout South Africa and appropriate global markets. Identify market trends, emerging technologies, and new opportunities across personal care, home care, and cosmetic sectors. Lead national sales strategy, ensuring sustainable growth across all product categories Sales Growth & Market Development Drive revenue growth in existing and new markets. Expand key account relationships and open new channels to industry sectors that depend on high-performance lubrication chemistry. Develop annual budgets, forecasts, and sales targets aligned with business objectives. Implement structured sales processes, reporting tools, and customer management disciplines. Product & Technology Commercialisation Work closely with R&D team to evaluate and commercialise new emollient technologies as well as Synthetic and Biodegradable Sustainable Lubricants sourced globally for a South African market. Build and maintain strong relationships with international principals and technology partners. Oversee product launches, positioning, pricing, value propositions and technical sales support. Team Leadership & Performance Management Lead, coach, and develop a national sales team. Create a performance culture centred on accountability, client service excellence, and technical credibility. Ensure alignment between Sales, R&D, Technical, Operations and Supply Chain. Stakeholder & Industry Engagement Build and maintain industry credibility with clients, suppliers, technical bodies, and regulatory authorities. Represent the business at conferences, technical events and key customer forums. Required Experience Technical & Sector Background Experience in emollient technology, speciality chemicals or advanced Functional chemistry. Exposure working with high-performance lubricants, synthetic chemistries, additives or related engineered products. Commercial Track Record 5 years in senior sales leadership roles in the same or a similar industry. Demonstrated ability to take a mandate/strategy and convert it into a viable and profitable business outcome. Proven success in market development, account expansion and commercialising technical products. Strong experience managing budgets, forecasts, and long-cycle B2B sales cycles. Leadership Competencies Entrepreneurial mindset with strong operational execution capability. Highly credible, polished communicator with the ability to influence at all organisational levels. Strategic thinker with hands-on, practical implementation skill. Ability to lead cross-functional teams and inspire high performance. Qualifications Degree in Sales, Business or related field; (and/or) Degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related technical field (advantageous) Valid drivers licence and willingness to travel nationally/internationally. Key Personal Attributes Entrepreneurial thinker with strong commercial instincts. High integrity, professional presence, respected in the industry. Analytical, methodical, and results-driven. Strong relationship-builder and communicator. Passion for technology adoption, innovation, and continuous improvement.