Job Description

Job Title: Business Head - Solvents Manufacturing and Trading

Location:

UAE (with regional and international travel as required)

Reporting To:

Managing Director / Group CEO

Job Type:

Full-Time | Senior Leadership Role

Role Objective

We are seeking an experienced and results-driven professional to lead our Solvents Manufacturing and Trading vertical. The selected candidate will be responsible for driving aggressive growth in both volume and profitability, with full ownership of commercial strategy, sales, customer development, technical support, and P&L management. The role requires deep technical expertise in solvents, strong industry relationships, and a strategic approach to market development and trading.

Key Responsibilities

Market & Customer Development

Build and maintain strong relationships with solvent end-users across sectors such as coatings, adhesives, inks, flexible packaging, pharmaceuticals, and agrochemicals. Identify and develop new customer accounts by understanding their technical and commercial requirements. Monitor competitor activity, product gaps, and substitution trends within assigned markets. Create and manage a real-time customer intelligence database, segmented by geography and application.

Sales & Technical Sales Leadership

Lead and mentor the sales and technical sales teams, setting clear targets and accountability structures. Drive customer acquisition through direct engagement with key accounts, product presentations, and factory trials. Develop pricing strategies based on feedstock cost trends, trading margins, and competitive positioning. Formulate and execute trading strategies using netback analysis, landed cost evaluation, and foreign exchange arbitrage.

P&L and Commercial Management

Assume full P&L responsibility for the solvents division, including revenue generation, margin control, and EBITDA performance. Track raw material cost trends (e.g., ethanol, n-butanol, MEK, toluene) and implement re-blend or substitution strategies to protect margins. Approve credit limits in coordination with the finance team and ensure effective receivables management to minimize overdue accounts.

Supply Chain & Operations Coordination

Collaborate with production teams on blending and manufacturing schedules to meet customer demand efficiently. Optimize logistics operations to reduce CIF costs, enhance container utilization, and minimize delays at ports and customs. Streamline the tank-to-customer supply chain and improve repacking operations to reduce handling and distribution costs.

Regulatory Compliance & Documentation

Ensure compliance with all relevant local and international regulations, including VOC, SDS, ADR, IMDG, and REACH requirements. Maintain accurate technical documentation, product dossiers, and application notes to support technical sales and customer engagement.

Candidate Profile

Education:

B.Sc. / B.Tech in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or Industrial Chemistry MBA is preferred

Experience:

Minimum of 10 to 15 years of experience in solvent trading and/or manufacturing Proven relationships with major industrial solvent consumers in the region

Industry Knowledge:

Strong understanding of solvents such as ethyl acetate (ETAC), butyl acetate (BUTAC), MEK, IPA, toluene, xylene, and their industrial applications

Core Competencies:

Strategic commercial mindset with strong negotiation and analytical skills Technical sales expertise and solution-oriented approach Leadership and team-building capabilities Market intelligence and customer segmentation expertise
Job Type: Full-time