Eastern USA - Sales Director - Personal Care Chemicals
Sales Director - Eastern USA
Location: Eastern United States (Remote/Home-Based with Travel)
Industry: Personal Care Ingredients / Specialty Chemicals
Reports To: Vice President of Sales, North America
About the Company
We are a leading manufacturer of specialty ingredients and innovative raw materials serving the global personal care and cosmetics industry. Our portfolio includes functional and performance ingredients used across skincare, haircare, sun care, color cosmetics, and other beauty applications. Through a combination of technical expertise, innovation, and customer-focused solutions, we partner with some of the world's most recognized personal care brands and formulators.
As part of our continued growth across North America, we are seeking an experienced and commercially driven Sales Director - Eastern USA to lead strategic business development activities, strengthen key customer relationships, and drive revenue growth throughout the region.
Position Summary
The Sales Director will be responsible for developing and executing the commercial strategy across the Eastern United States, focusing on direct sales growth within the personal care market. The successful candidate will manage a portfolio of key accounts, identify new business opportunities, and work closely with marketing, technical, and product management teams to deliver tailored ingredient solutions to customers.
This role requires a strong understanding of the personal care ingredients market, experience selling specialty chemical raw materials, and the ability to build relationships at multiple levels within customer organizations, ranging from formulators and R&D teams through to procurement and executive leadership.
Qualifications & Experience
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Cosmetic Science, Business, or a related field.
- Minimum 8-12 years of successful B2B sales experience within the specialty chemicals or personal care ingredients industry.
- Demonstrated experience selling ingredients into personal care and cosmetic manufacturers.
- Proven track record of exceeding sales targets and delivering profitable growth.
- Strong network within the North American personal care market.
- Experience managing strategic and national accounts.
- Excellent commercial negotiation and relationship management skills.
- Ability to travel approximately 40-60% throughout the Eastern United States.
Preferred
- Technical background in chemistry, cosmetic science, or formulation.
- Experience with functional ingredients, actives, surfactants, emulsifiers, emollients, rheology modifiers, preservatives, or natural ingredients.
- Familiarity with major personal care manufacturers, indie beauty brands, and contract manufacturers across North America.
- MBA or advanced technical degree is advantageous.
Key Competencies
- Strategic Sales Leadership
- Business Development
- Consultative & Solution Selling
- Key Account Management
- Negotiation & Influencing Skills
- Market Analysis & Competitive Intelligence
- Relationship Building
- Technical Aptitude
- Commercial Acumen
- Forecasting & Pipeline Management
- Presentation & Communication Skills
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive base salary
- Performance-based annual bonus
- Long-term incentive opportunities
- Comprehensive healthcare coverage
- 401(k) program
- Company car allowance
- Paid time off and holidays
- Professional development and career advancement opportunities
Ideal Candidate Profile
A highly motivated sales leader with deep expertise in personal care ingredients, strong relationships across the cosmetic manufacturing industry, and a proven ability to grow revenue through both strategic account management and new business development. The ideal candidate combines technical credibility with outstanding commercial acumen and thrives in a dynamic, growth-oriented environment.