National Business Development Manager - Sustainable Chemicals

My client is an Australian chemical manufacturer and supplier with capabilities across specialty chemicals, renewable raw materials and tailored chemical solutions. We are recruiting a National Business Development Manager to generate new business across construction, mining and agriculture, with a particular focus on sustainable chemical alternatives.

This opportunity will suit an experienced chemical sales professional who knows these markets, understands the products and wants the freedom to build a national portfolio with substantial independence.

The Opportunity

You will take ownership of identifying where the business’s chemistry can solve customer problems, improve product performance or support a move towards more sustainable inputs.

The role requires an entrepreneurial approach to business development. You will decide where to focus your efforts, identify commercially attractive applications, approach the right businesses and build relationships that lead to trials, approvals and ongoing supply.

You will need to be comfortable creating opportunities from the ground up. That means researching a potential application, finding the technical and commercial decision-makers, asking informed questions and giving customers a credible reason to consider a different chemical solution.

There is a high level of autonomy, with a clear expectation that you can set your own priorities, maintain consistent prospecting activity and take responsibility for results.

Products & Applications

Strong working knowledge of the following product groups, or closely related specialty chemical technologies, will be central to your success:

Surfactants and wetting agents, including sulfosuccinates used in mineral processing, dewatering, dust suppression and coatings.

Anionic and non-ionic emulsifiers, dispersants and functional additives used in industrial and agricultural formulations.

Oleochemical esters, including canola-derived esters, used in agricultural adjuvants, solvents, lubricants and release agent formulations.

Defoamers and foam control additives for formulation and processing applications.

Construction additives, including rheology modifiers, air entraining agents and ingredients used in release agents,



curing compounds and anti-efflorescence applications.

Renewable chemical inputs and alternatives to petrochemical-derived ingredients, where suitable for the customer’s application.

You should understand how these products behave, why customers select them and what needs to be demonstrated before a new ingredient is adopted. Conversations around compatibility, dosage, performance, processing conditions and cost in use should be familiar territory.

Your Markets

Construction

Develop relationships with construction chemical manufacturers, concrete admixture formulators, coatings producers and manufacturers of adhesives, flooring and related building products. Identify opportunities where functional additives can improve formulation performance, processing or the use of renewable inputs.

Mining

Target mineral processing businesses, mining chemical formulators and specialist suppliers supporting mine operations. Develop opportunities around wetting, mineral dewatering, dust suppression and associated industrial applications, with a clear understanding of operating conditions and measurable performance requirements.

Agriculture

Build relationships with agrochemical manufacturers, adjuvant formulators and agricultural chemical suppliers. Your conversations will focus on ingredients such as esters, surfactants, wetting agents, emulsifiers, dispersants and foam control additives, and their role within the finished formulation.

Key Responsibilities

Build and execute a national business development plan across the three target sectors.

Proactively generate current business through direct prospecting, industry relationships, customer visits and application research.

Identify opportunities to introduce sustainable chemical alternatives with a sound technical and commercial case.

Engage with formulation chemists, R&D; teams, production managers, procurement professionals and business owners.





Work with technical and manufacturing teams to assess customer requirements and develop suitable proposals.

Drive opportunities through sampling, evaluation, trials, commercial negotiation and repeat supply.

Identify demand for tailored blends, product development and manufacturing services.

Manage pricing, margins, forecasts and pipeline activity with commercial discipline.

Plan national travel around worthwhile customer opportunities and follow through consistently.

About You

We are looking for someone who brings both chemical knowledge and the motivation to build business independently.

Demonstrated success in business development or technical sales within specialty chemicals, chemical manufacturing or chemical distribution.

Robust product knowledge across relevant surfactants, esters, emulsifiers, formulation additives or closely aligned chemical technologies.

Established experience selling into construction chemicals, mining and mineral processing, or agrochemical formulation, with the ability to expand into adjacent sectors.

Confidence holding detailed technical discussions and translating product capabilities into practical customer benefits.

Evidence of personally opening accounts, developing applications and converting technical opportunities into profitable revenue.

An entrepreneurial mindset, with the judgement to identify worthwhile opportunities and commit time where it will deliver results.

A high level of self-motivation, organisation and accountability, with the ability to maintain momentum without daily direction.

Persistence through longer evaluation and approval cycles, alongside a consistent focus on generating fresh opportunities.

Willingness to travel nationally and develop relationships in person.

Qualifications in chemistry, chemical engineering or a related discipline would be valuable. Your practical understanding of the products, applications and buying process will carry significant weight.

On Offer

Negotiable base salary. Range starting from $160k - $200k + Super

Generous company bonus

High earning OTE

Due to the seniority of this position, we are currently shortlisting applicants and will be contacting candidates that successfully make the short list.

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📌 National Business Development Manager - Sustainable Chemicals (Melbourne)
🏢 Salexo Consulting
📍 Melbourne