Category Head – Specialty Chemicals

Role Overview

We are seeking a highly entrepreneurial and commercially driven Category Head - Specialty Chemicals Value Chain to build, scale, and lead strategic value chains across key specialty chemical segments. This leader will own category growth, market expansion, customer acquisition, supplier partnerships, and profitability while identifying high-potential opportunities across upstream intermediates and downstream applications.

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in specialty chemical markets, strong business development capabilities, and the ability to connect sourcing, manufacturing, and commercialization strategies to drive sustainable growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Business Strategy & Category Growth
• Define and execute category growth strategies across selected specialty chemical value chains.
• Identify high-growth chemical segments, emerging applications, and market opportunities.
• Drive revenue, margin, and market share expansion through strategic planning and execution.
• Develop long-term business roadmaps aligned with company objectives and industry trends.
• Evaluate new product opportunities based on technical feasibility, market demand, and commercial attractiveness.

Value Chain Development & Management

• Map and build comprehensive value chains from raw materials to end-use applications.
• Identify key intermediates, derivatives, and adjacent product opportunities within target categories.
• Assess supplier landscapes, manufacturing capabilities, and sourcing strategies globally.
• Evaluate market dynamics, supply-demand scenarios, pricing trends, and competitive positioning.
• Drive portfolio expansion through new product additions and downstream integration opportunities.

Business Development & Commercial Excellence

• Build and expand relationships with customers across pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, coatings, CASE, flavors & fragrances, personal care, electronics, and industrial segments.
• Identify and acquire strategic customers, distributors, and channel partners.
• Lead commercial negotiations, pricing discussions, and contract finalization.
• Develop key account strategies to maximize customer retention and wallet share.
• Build repeat business streams through long-term partnerships.

Market Intelligence & Strategic Insights

• Continuously monitor industry developments, market trends, competitive activities, and regulatory changes.
• Generate actionable market intelligence to guide category decisions.
• Identify opportunities arising from changing global supply chains and import substitution trends.
• Recommend strategic investments and growth initiatives based on market analysis.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with sourcing, manufacturing, R&D, regulatory, quality, and supply chain teams.
• Align customer requirements with manufacturing capabilities and innovation programs.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives to improve product availability, service levels, and profitability.
• Support new product development and commercialization efforts.

Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Build and mentor high-performing category teams.
• Establish performance metrics and drive accountability across the business.
• Influence internal and external stakeholders to achieve category objectives.
• Represent Scimplify at industry conferences, exhibitions, and customer engagements.

What We're Looking For

Industry Expertise

• 8+ years of experience in Specialty Chemicals, Chemical Distribution, Chemical Manufacturing, or Chemical Trading.
• Strong understanding of chemical value chains, intermediates, derivatives, and end-use applications.
• Exposure to multiple specialty chemical segments is highly preferred.

Commercial Acumen

• Proven track record of building and growing chemical categories or business units.
• Strong experience in business development, strategic sourcing, and market expansion.
• Demonstrated ability to manage P&L responsibilities and deliver profitable growth.

Strategic Thinking

• Ability to identify white-space opportunities and develop scalable business strategies.
• Strong analytical skills with experience evaluating markets, competitors, and value chains.

Leadership Skills

• Experience leading cross-functional teams and stakeholder groups.
• Strong negotiation, communication, and relationship management capabilities.

Entrepreneurial Mindset

• Comfortable operating in fast-paced, high-growth environments.
• Bias for action with the ability to build businesses from zero-to-one and scale them rapidly.

Preferred Background

Candidates from organizations involved in Specialty Chemicals, Chemical Distribution, Contract Manufacturing, CDMO/CMO, Industrial Chemicals, Agrochemical Intermediates, Pharmaceutical Intermediates, Performance Chemicals, Polymer Additives, Coatings, CASE, or Fine Chemicals will be highly preferred.