European Business Director

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As the largest pureplay adhesives company in the world, H.B. Fuller’s (NYSE: FUL) innovative, functional coatings, adhesives, and sealants enhance the quality, safety, and performance of products people use every day. Founded in 1887, with 2023 revenue of $3.5 billion, our mission to Connect What Matters is brought to life by more than 7,000 global team members who collaborate with customers across more than 30 market segments in over 140 countries to develop highly specified solutions that enable customers to bring world-changing innovations to their end markets.

Position Title:

European Business Director

Location:

Portugal—Virtual

Position Overview:

The European Business Director for the I&M (Infrastructure and Mechanical) segment within the GBU/division BAS (Building Adhesive Solutions) will drive the success of the business by working through matrixed cross-functional and cross-regional teams and be accountable for working closely with the global segment leader, other regional leader counterparts, and functional leaders in Research & Development, Operations, Supply Chain, Product Management and Marketing, Sourcing, Finance, Human Resources, Legal, Information Technology, and New Business Development, as well as other leaders and teams across the H.B. Fuller enterprise. This includes developing, implementing, and successfully realizing regional strategies to protect existing business, but more urgently identify and deliver growth opportunities to drive greater market penetration in Europe and expand our reach. The overall goal is to ensure the continued profitable growth and success of this business.

Primary Responsibilities:

Define, drive, and deliver a growing and profitable regional segment strategy (50%):

• Aligning with the global segment leader and working with regional teams such as marketing and product line, research and development, sourcing, operations, supply chain, and SIOP leaders, finance, human resources, legal, and IT as needed.
• Leading change management and activating the organization through a defined approach to achieve the strategy deliverables.
• Connecting with customers and other external stakeholders, analyzing market and competitor data, interfacing with all needed internal resources, developing financial plans, and driving results delivery for this business across Europe.
• To ensure successful execution, there must be extensive collaboration with all appropriate functions, notably operations and SIOP leaders in the region to develop capacity, capital, and productivity plans that deliver the short- and long-term strategic plans; as well as with sourcing leaders to establish savings and innovation priorities that are incorporated into their category strategies.

Define, drive, and deliver a growth portfolio for the region aligned to the global market segment strategy (25%):

• This includes ensuring a healthy growth portfolio which is also fully aligned to the relevant marketing and product line strategies; accountable for all stage gate decisions, making project choices, and implementing successful projects by influencing and guiding teams in various regions to deliver financial results aligned with the overall strategy of the segment.
• Advancing integration of acquired businesses within the I&M sphere as a central business leader in accordance with deal model objectives, in addition to the ongoing pursuit of complementary inorganic plays to accelerate the regional segment strategy.
• To best deploy capabilities and resources differently on the best opportunities, there is a high expectation for prioritization including saying “no” appropriately and minimizing all erosion of efforts.

Lead, advance, motivate, and engender appropriate energy and loyalty from the regional market segment team (20%):

• This includes talent development, effective recruiting, performance management, coaching, career, and future leader development. The position will also build, reinforce, and extend the GBU and corporate culture.
• Serve as a role model for upholding the company's values and ethical standards.
• Foster a culture of integrity, accountability, and respect within the team, setting a positive example for employees at all levels.

Engage and contribute to the leadership of overall GBU (5%):

• Exhibit thought leadership among leaders to maximize sustainable GBU growth.
• Ensure regional segment and team objectives are aligned with the overarching goals of H.B. Fuller.
• Coordinate efforts to optimize the allocation of resources, including financial, human, and technological assets.
• Prioritize initiatives and investments that generate the greatest value for the company and support the overall growth strategy.

Minimum Requirements:

• At least 10 years of professional industry experience in adhesives and/or building and construction.
• A Bachelor's or University Degree; Technical degree in engineering or sciences is advantageous; MBA or EMBA preferred.
• Experience in multiple functions and geographies is highly desirable.
• Successfully worked in at least one business function beyond commercial: manufacturing, supply chain, research & development, marketing, or product line management.
• Business unit leadership with income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow capabilities.
• Proven track record in revenue and profitability growth within an area of responsibility.
• Strategic and creative thinking combined with strong finance and business acumen.
• Adept at working through complexity, cross-functional challenges, and dealing with ambiguity.
• Understands customer value and drives business process discipline to deliver efficiently.
• Experience in leading leaders, providing coaching, developing talent, and building a high-performance team that is accountable to meet expectations, timelines, and deliver value.
• Experience managing global teams in a cross-functional matrix organization, understanding, identifying, and maximizing the benefits of cultures and diversity.
• Fluent in English, written and verbal; well-developed communication and people skills.