Technical Sales Manager – Coatings Additives & Advanced …, Haslingden

This is a commercially driven but technically deep role focused on selling performance chemistry into sophisticated formulators.

You will operate at the interface of chemistry, formulation science and commercial strategy — targeting coatings manufacturers and specialist industrial producers.

This role is about value creation, technical substitution and strategic growth, not transactional order taking.

What You Will Be Responsible ForStrategic Account Development

• Identify high-potential coating formulators
• Map technical decision makers (R&D, procurement, technical directors)
• Build multi-level relationships within customer organisations
• Develop long-term supply frameworks rather than spot sales
• Protect margin while growing volume

Technical Substitution & Performance Selling

You will actively identify opportunities to replace incumbent multinational suppliers through:

• Understanding formulation structure and performance requirements
• Analysing current additive systems (dispersants, defoamers, rheology modifiers, polymers)
• Proposing alternative chemistries with cost or performance advantages
• Supporting lab trials and comparative testing
• Translating test data into commercial value

You must be comfortable discussing:

• Acrylic and styrene acrylic dispersion behaviour
• Acrylate and methacrylate chemistry
• Surfactant adsorption and dispersion mechanics
• Polymer function in varying systems
• Foam control mechanisms (mineral oil, silicone, hybrid technologies)
• Rheology modification and viscosity control
• Compatibility issues and stability mechanisms

Market Intelligence & Commercial Positioning

You will be expected to:

• Monitor raw material trends (acrylic acid, styrene, butyl acrylate, mineral oils, energy impact)
• Understand competitor positioning
• Track margin movement and cost drivers
• Advise leadership on pricing strategy
• Anticipate market shifts rather than react to them

This is especially critical in volatile petrochemical markets where pricing agility is essential.

Technical–Commercial Bridge

You will serve as the bridge between:

• Internal technical teams
• Customers' R&D departments
• Commercial leadership

You must be able to:

• Translate lab performance into commercial language
• Translate commercial constraints into technical objectives
• Identify formulation simplification opportunities
• Contribute to product development strategy

New Product & Portfolio Expansion

Beyond selling existing products, you will:

• Identify gaps in the portfolio
• Recognise emerging formulation trends
• Recommend new chemistry platforms
• Help shape product positioning
• Contribute to technical marketing content