Product Manager (m/f/d)

HARKE GROUP; Malmö kommun; On-site; SEK 750,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Job summary

Vendico Chemical AB, based in Malmö, is seeking a commercially driven Product Manager for Coatings, Plastics & Polymers to grow the Nordic CPP business. The role combines sales, business development and product management across Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland, interfacing with Vendico customers and HARKE Group.

You will translate customer formulations and technical needs into commercially attractive raw material solutions, contributing to margin growth and long-term Nordic strategy.

Qualifications

• Degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• Strong commercial background with chemical distribution or chemical industry experience.
• Several years of experience in B2B sales, product management or business development.
• Experience in plastics, rubber, PVC, coatings, adhesives or polyurethanes is highly advantageous.
• Ability to discuss technical topics with R&D and to negotiate with Purchasing.
• Willingness to travel regularly across the Nordic region.

Responsibilities

• Develop and expand CPP raw materials sales across the Nordic region.
• Manage and grow existing customer relationships.
• Identify and acquire new customers in target industries.
• Build a structured sales pipeline for new products, applications and projects.
• Conduct regular customer visits and commercial negotiations.
• Coordinate sampling, laboratory trials and technical documentation.
• Support pricing, margins and supplier relationships with HARKE.
• Provide regular market and sales reporting.
• Contribute to Vendico's Nordic CPP strategy.

Skills

B2B sales

Product management

Business development

Negotiation

Communication

Willingness to travel

Education

Degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, Materials Science, Business Administration or a comparable qualification

Job description

Vendico Chemical AB is a well-established distributor of chemical raw materials serving customers across the Nordic chemical industry. Founded in 1994 and based in Malmö, Vendico combines strong market knowledge, technical expertise and a customer-focused approach with a broad portfolio of specialty and industrial chemicals. Since 2025, Vendico Chemical has been part of the HARKE GROUP, an international, family-owned chemical distribution group with an extensive network across Europe and international sourcing capabilities. This combination provides an excellent platform to further develop our activities in the Nordic markets. To strengthen our activities in the Coatings, Plastics & Polymers (CPP) segment, we are looking for a commercially driven and technically interested: Product Manager - Coatings, Plastics & Polymers. In this position, you will take responsibility for developing and growing our Coatings, Plastics & Polymers business across the Nordic region, with a strong focus on Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland. The role combines sales, business development and product management. You will work closely with existing Vendico customers, identify new business opportunities, develop relationships with new customers and introduce selected products and principals from the international HARKE Chemicals portfolio into the Nordic market. A key part of your role will be understanding customers' formulations, applications and technical requirements and translating these needs into commercially attractive raw material solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and expand sales of CPP raw materials throughout the Nordic region
• Manage and further develop existing customer relationships
• Identify and acquire new customers in target industries
• Build a structured sales pipeline for new products, applications and customer projects
• Conduct regular customer visits, technical discussions and commercial negotiations
• Identify customer requirements, formulation challenges and opportunities for alternative raw materials
• Introduce new products and suppliers from the HARKE CPP portfolio into the Nordic market
• Develop market-entry strategies for selected product groups and principals
• Coordinate sampling, laboratory trials, technical documentation and commercial follow-up
• Work closely with customers' Purchasing, R&D, Product Development and Production departments
• Prepare quotations and negotiate prices, payment terms and commercial conditions
• Monitor market developments, competitor activities, raw material trends and pricing
• Develop sales forecasts and support purchasing and inventory planning
• Manage product profitability and contribute to margin development
• Support principal and supplier relationships together with the international HARKE organization
• Participate in supplier meetings, customer visits, exhibitions and industry events
• Coordinate cross-selling opportunities between Vendico's existing portfolio and HARKE's international product portfolio
• Provide regular market, project and sales reporting
• Actively contribute to the strategic development of Vendico's CPP business in the Nordics

Your mission

Your goal will be to establish Vendico Chemical as an increasingly important Nordic partner for Coatings, Plastics & Polymers raw materials, combining Vendico's local customer relationships and market expertise with the international supplier network and product portfolio of HARKE GROUP. You will identify new markets, develop new customers and applications and create sustainable, profitable business together with our customers and principals.

Your profile

• Degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, Materials Science, Business Administration or a comparable qualification
• Alternatively, a strong commercial background combined with relevant experience in chemical distribution or the chemical industry
• Several years of experience in B2B sales, product management or business development within chemicals, polymers or related industries
• Experience in one or more of the following markets would be highly advantageous:
  • Plastics
  • Rubber
  • PVC
  • Coatings
  • Adhesives
  • Polyurethanes
• Understanding of chemical raw materials and industrial formulations
• Ability to discuss technical topics confidently with R&D and technical departments while also negotiating commercially with Purchasing
• Strong business development mentality and willingness to actively approach new customers
• Commercial understanding of pricing, margins and supply-chain considerations
• Structured and self-driven working style
• Strong negotiation and communication skills
• Willingness to travel regularly throughout the Nordic region

Why us?

• A key role in the further development of the CPP business within Vendico Chemical
• Responsibility for a strategically important Nordic sales territory
• Access to the extensive international product and supplier network of HARKE GROUP
• A broad portfolio allowing you to develop solutions across several customer industries
• Direct interaction with international chemical manufacturers and principals
• Combination of technical sales, product management and business development
• High level of responsibility and freedom to develop your market
• Strong support from the Vendico organization in Malmö and the international HARKE Chemicals team
• Opportunity to actively shape the future CPP portfolio for the Nordic market
• A long-term position within an internationally operating, family-owned chemical distribution group

Your Contact

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Ms Julia Even (+49208/ 30692840).
A job advertisement from HARKE Nordics (Vendico Chemcial AB) , a member of the HARKE GROUP.
HARKE Nordics (Vendico Chemcials AB)
Pilåkersvägen 24, A-huset 217 64 Malmö Sweden

About us

The HARKE GROUP can look back on almost 60 years of company history, characterized by growth, diversification and internationalization. The company was founded in 1965 under the name SYNTANA Handelsgesellschaft E. Harke GmbH & Co. KG and has developed into a globally active family business. With around 250 employees in eleven countries, both in Europe and worldwide, the HARKE GROUP pursues a clear vision for sustainable success.
As an international distributor, the company offers a wide range of products from the chemical, plastics, pharmaceutical and food sectors. These include pharmaceutical raw materials, food additives and ingredients, food supplements, cosmetic raw materials, plastic raw materials and products as well as chemical raw materials. The Mülheim-based group of companies opens doors for its customers and suppliers to new, forward-looking sales and procurement markets in Europe and beyond. With in-depth specialist knowledge, personal customer service, reliable logistics and creative solutions in distribution, formulation and contract packaging, the HARKE GROUP brings its partners directly into the markets of tomorrow.