Our firm has been retained to conduct the search for a Vice President of Business Development for a privately-held, $110+MM specialty chemical manufacturer headquartered in North Carolina.  The company is a leading producer of lubricants, chemicals and additives to the automotive, plumbing, hardware, industrial, appliance and export markets and has several strong brands.

Reporting to the company’s Chief Executive Officer and presenting at all board meetings, the successful candidate will lead a new growth effort for the company.  He/she will be charged with identifying four to five new business units that will be developed internally or through acquisition.  While there are no defined targets at this time, the company expects these new businesses will allow them to leverage their experience with branded chemical products sold through retail, industrial and warehouse distribution channels.  Within five years, these business units will ideally generate an incremental $75MM in potential revenues for the company.

In addition, the Vice President, Business Development will spend a small portion (~15%) of his/her time leading the existing marketing team.  He/she will participate in the development of the company’s core business strategies and will focus on innovative strategies for profitable sales growth in new products and channels of distribution.

Candidate qualifications include:

• a minimum of twelve years’ professional experience, a significant portion of which will be in business development and acquisition; candidates could come from M&A firms, investment banks, growth consulting firms, or business development departments of slightly larger middle market firms;

• knowledge of businesses that sell to retail and/or professional markets, especially in the specialty chemical industry; while not a requirement, candidates with this knowledge will be advantaged;

• a strategic orientation and broad gauged business skills; must be intelligent, driven, results-oriented leaders who are capable of advancing within the organization and playing a role in running the acquired businesses;

• hands-on transaction experience; must be capable of quarterbacking and closing a handful of small deals without a large staff; will have demonstrated an understanding of how to identify, prioritize, and approach targeted companies with relevance to the company’s strategic plans; will have the persuasiveness to sell our client as a business partner and will have the relationship-building skills necessary to bring the seller along throughout the process;

• excellent communications and interpersonal skills; will be effective in building strong partnerships and credibility at all levels of the company, as well as externally with customers; lawyers, and bankers;

• solid educational credentials; a BA or BS from a highly regarded college or university; an MBA would be a plus.

This is an excellent opportunity with a company that has a rich history and established reputation as a manufacturer of quality products.  An attractive compensation package will be assembled for the successful candidate.

Please contact resume3@sockwell.com to suggest potential candidates and/or networking sources or to express confidential personal interest. 

This search was recently closed, and the successful candidate will report shortly.