PER 1 JULI 2023 ZAL DE NIEUWE SALES DIRECTOR/COO STARTEN IN DEZE ROL
ON JULI 1, 2023 THE NEW SLAES DIRECTOR/CCO WILL START IN THIS ROLE
| Search for: | Sales director (CCO) |
| Type of company: | Manufacturer and refiner, specialized in processing and formulating mainly natural waxes, as well as synthetic waxes and wax blends 5th generation family business since 1852 |
| Industry: | Personal Care, Household, Pharma, Candle, Coatings, Food |
| Reporting line: | To CEO/Owner of Koster Keunen Holland B.V. Member of the management team |
| Location: | Bladel (Noord-Brabant) |
| Starting date: | Preferably August 1, 2023 |
| Reason for position: | The current CCO will take early retirement at the end of August 2023 and will be remotely available for 2 days a week as of September 2023 |
Responsibilities:
- Responsible for all international & domestic sales at Koster Keunen Holland.
- Expanding and intensifying business activities and turnover in the various markets in Europe, (Northern) Africa, the Middle East & Asia.
- Developing and maintaining long-lasting business relationships with customers, distributors and manufacturers, (mid-size) companies and multinationals.
- Supporting and understanding customers & distributors to determine their needs. Frequently visiting customers and distributors.
- Developing and expanding business in new markets and new industries.
- Understanding and seeing industry-specific trends and focusing on them.
- Generating the sales plan and budget, translating it into a commercial strategy, and implementing it together with relevant departments.
- Collaborating closely with the internal R&D department at Koster Keunen, as well as with customer R&D teams. Identifying specific customer needs and requirements at R&D level.
- Managing the sales team, the marketing team, and the customer service department.
- Co-managing the research & development (R&D) department.
- Carrying out and increasing the impact of the Koster Keunen company strategy.
- Participating in international trade shows.
Requirements:
- Background / education in chemistry or equivalent at BSc. /Master level.
- At least 5 to 10 years’ experience in a similar role.
- Relevant work experience in Personal Care or Food Industry and / or trading of chemicals.
- A passion for and interest in natural ingredients, preferably waxes.
- Experience with handling raw materials.
- Knowledge and experience with formulation and application is a plus.
- Demonstrable experience and interest in sustainability.
- Experience to operate effective in a family business environment.
- Energetic and entrepreneurial attitude.
- Excellent communication & leadership skills.
- English as 1st language; good command of Dutch, French and German is a big plus.
- To be able to think and switch quickly.
Extra information:
- This is not a job which you perform from your home office.
- Travelling and visiting customers will take an average of 2 days per week.
- You are supposed to be physically present at the office for at least 3 days a week and of course it is agreed that you occasionally work from home, but this is not the rule.
- Koster Keunen strives for a healthy and safe working climate.
- The current CCO will be responsible for a good transfer and training period, and also for the introduction to all existing customers and relations.
- Koster Keunen is in Bladel (the Netherlands), south of Eindhoven, which is a 1.5-hour drive by car from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.
Long term focus:
A new state-of-the-art factory was opened at the Bladel location in mid-2018. It is the only GMPc-certified factory in the wax business worldwide.
At this moment additional production capacity is available in the new factory, along with many possibilities to expand the product portfolio. The available capacity has been designed within an ambitious sales plan to increase Koster Keunen’s turnover by more than 100% over the coming years.
Sourcing of raw materials and beeswax in Africa, China and various other countries will become part of the CCO’s responsibilities in the longer term. Excellent knowledge of raw materials and strong connections in sourcing are essential to become successful in this role. A demonstrable interest and experience in sourcing is a plus.
Sustainability:
In 2019, Koster Keunen started its own sustainable beeswax initiative by founding a company in Lomé, Togo (West-Africa). This sustainable beeswax supply chain constitutes a long-term commitment to cooperative and beekeeper groups. Koster Keunen West Africa is structuring, training and improving good practices of beekeepers in multiple countries, and working hard to increase its impact. Currently 30.000 beekeepers are involved in this sustainable supply chain.
The largest cosmetic companies in the world have committed to this project, as buying this wax helps them achieve their sustainabilty goals. The positive effects of this inspiring project can be measured in the quality of wax produced, the recurrent income at local level, by the long-term commitment to local communities, by the ensuing positive social, economical and environmental effects, and by the professionalization of the local beekeeping societies.
Company:
Since 1852, Koster Keunen Holland and Koster Keunen U.S.A. have specialized in processing, formulating and marketing quality waxes to the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, candle and food industries. From beeswax, the foundation of the business and one of its principal products, Koster Keunen has developed a variety of new products to meet new and constantly evolving customer requirements. Koster Keunen’s strengths are its extensive knowledge of waxes and scientific experience in developing new products.
Salary and working conditions:
This is NOT a freelance position, there is a long-term focus. Base salary 100K+ gross based on fulltime employment, with attractive on target bonus earnings and a company car. In the longer-term a further step within the company is negotiable, however all depending on performance, developments and circumstances.
Process:
- Posting online and informing the network about the position.
- Search for suitable candidates.
- 1st round to get acquainted by telephone Braun Recruitment.
- 2nd round online interview Braun Recruitment.
- Introduction Koster Keunen.
- Two rounds at Koster Keunen with CEO, CCO and CFO and meeting Sales Team.
- 3rd round Supervisory Board Koster Keunen.
- 4th round CEO Koster Keunen USA Ltd.
- 5th round job offer.
If you’re interested in the position and would like to apply, please contact me by phone +31 (0)6 4224 7059 or send your CV to paul.braun@braunrecruitment.nl.
Amsterdam, May 1st. 2023
