Director of Materials
Job description
TGRC has partnered with a UK-based, technology-driven manufacturer specialising in high-purity and advanced materials for demanding industrial and technology markets. With a strong focus on quality, innovation and technical performance, the business develops and supplies specialist materials where purity, consistency and reliability are critical.
The company operates at the intersection of advanced materials, specialty chemicals and high-pleatech manufacturing, supporting customers across markets including semiconductors, photovoltaics, energy storage and other high-performance applications.
Job Summary:
This is a senior, hands-on commercial leadership opportunity within a growing advanced-materials business. The successful candidate will bring a strong track record of developing high-value, technically complex markets, alongside established senior relationships across the specialty chemicals, catalysts, advanced materials or related industries.
You will be responsible for developing and executing the global commercial strategy, identifying high-value applications, building relationships with senior decision-makers and converting technical interest into customer qualification programmes, paid trials and long-term supply agreements.
Key Responsibilities:
Develop and execute the global commercial strategy.
Identify and prioritise applications capable of supporting premium pricing.
Build and manage a qualified international sales and opportunity pipeline.
Develop senior relationships with catalyst manufacturers, semiconductor-material companies, silicone formulators and specialist chemical businesses.
Gain access to R&D, application development, technical procurement and executive decision-makers.
Convert customer interest into structured qualification programmes, paid trials and commercial supply agreements.
Negotiate premium pricing, development agreements and multi-year contracts.
Own revenue, margin, pipeline forecasting and commercial expenditure.
Develop account strategies across priority sectors.
Build the commercial function as the business scales, including sales, application-development and distribution resources.
Key Requirements:
15+ years' commercial experience in specialty chemicals, catalysts, catalyst supports, silica, advanced inorganic materials or performance additives
5+ years at Commercial Director, Business Director, Global Market Director or equivalent level
Mandatory experience working with high-purity materials, specifically 5N / 99.999%+ purity
A strong track record of winning technically complex, high-margin business
Established senior relationships within the catalyst industry and ideally additional target markets
Experience managing complex customer qualification cycles and international P&L
Strong technical credibility with chemists, materials scientists and engineers
Experience negotiating multi-year supply, development or exclusivity agreements