Market Manager (m/f/d) - Flame Retardants & Additives

Clariant; Hürth; Hybrid; EUR 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Clariant is seeking a Market Manager to lead regional business development for innovative flame retardants and additives in Building & Construction. The role focuses on PUR/PIR foam applications, coordinating cross-functional teams to drive commercialization and market success.

You will guide product launches, shape growth strategies, and collaborate with Sales, R&D and Marketing to turn innovation into measurable results in a global context.

Qualifications

• Degree in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering; MBA welcome.
• 5+ years of experience in technical Sales or Marketing in specialty chemicals.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional projects and coordinate teams.
• Fluent in English; additional languages are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the product launch of novel flame retardants in Building & Construction, focusing on PUR/PIR foam applications.
• Drive regional business development and develop new customer acquisition plans with Sales, KAM and Marketing colleagues.
• Act as Project Leader for commercialization, coordinating Application Development, Sales, R&D and Communications.
• Conduct market intelligence and generate insights on unmet needs, pricing and competition.
• Identify and prioritize growth opportunities within the segment.

Skills

Market development

Cross-functional leadership

Stakeholder management

Fluent in English

Education

Chemistry/Chemical Engineering degree

MBA

Job description

Job ID: 41830 | Location: Hürth, All DE, Germany | Work Model: Hybrid

Clariant is a leading specialty chemicals company operating several production facilities for innovative and environmentally compatible flame retardants. This role is preferably based at our site in Hürth-Knapsack near Cologne — the first German Clariant location to run entirely on renewable electricity and a shining example of how production and sustainability go hand in hand. Other Clariant locations will also be considered for your application.

We are looking for a driven and commercially minded Market Manager to join our Business Unit Adsorbents & Additives. In this role, you will lead regional business development for innovative flame retardants and additives, with a focus on the Building & Construction industry — specifically PUR/PIR foam applications. Acting as Project Leader for product commercialization, you will bring together cross-functional teams across Sales, R&D, Application Development and Marketing to turn innovation into market success. Your mission: to grow a new business from zero to multi-million in sales.

Responsibilities

• Lead the product launch of novel flame retardants in Building & Construction, with a focus on Polyurethane, PUR/PIR panel applications and other foams and thermosets.
• Drive regional business development and develop new customer acquisition plans in close collaboration with Sales, KAM and Marketing colleagues.
• Act as Project Leader for commercialization, coordinating Application Development, Sales, R&D and Communications across functions.
• Conduct market intelligence within the area of responsibility. Generate deep customer insights on unmet needs, value perception, pricing and competitive landscape.
• Conduct market research and opportunity scoping to identify and prioritize growth opportunities within the segment.

Requirements

• Degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field; a commercial background (e.g., MBA) combined with relevant industry experience is equally welcome.
• 5+ years of experience in (Technical) Sales or Marketing, in specialty chemicals ideally in PUR/PIR and building & construction or adjacent industries.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional projects and coordinate teams across multiple functions.
• Strong business development mindset with a strategic approach to identifying and developing new market opportunities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills — comfortable working across technical and commercial functions, interacting with different regions.
• High agility and ability to maintain focus on target customers and segments in a dynamic environment.
• Fluent in English; additional languages are a plus.

Our Offer

• Real ownership from day one — a strategic role with measurable impact and a clear business development target.
• The chance to launch innovative, sustainable flame-retardant solutions in a growing global market.
• Close collaboration with a highly skilled, international cross-functional team.
• Access to Clariant's global network in R&D, Sales and Application Development.
• Competitive compensation and the benefits of a modern, global specialty chemicals company.

Your Contact

CLARIANT SE

Ann‑Christin Kaiser

Talent Acquisition Partner EMEA

Tel. [phone]

Clariant is a Swiss-based global specialty chemicals company, which is concentrated and developed in three business units: Care Chemicals, Catalysts and Adsorbents & Additives. Our purpose as a company is reflected in our tagline "Greater chemistry - between people and planet", which considers the principles of customer, innovation and people orientation, as well as a focus on creating solutions to foster sustainability in different industries by offering high-value and high-performance chemical specialties.

At Clariant, we believe that diversity, equity and inclusion are essential to our success. We strive to cultivate a workplace where all employees feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued. Our diverse workforce allows us to tap into a wealth of perspectives, experiences, and capabilities that drive innovation. We are committed to ensuring equal opportunities for professional growth and advancement across all levels of the organization, based on objective criteria and regardless of gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, religion, protected veteran status, age, disability, sexual orientation or other aspects of diversity in accordance with the relevant governing laws. By bringing together talented individuals with diverse backgrounds and viewpoints, we gain the agility to meet the evolving needs of our global customers and communities. Join our team to help advance our mission of fostering a culture of belonging where everyone can thrive.

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