Director of Lubricants & Specialty Products

VP Racing; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

VP Racing Fuels, a leader in performance fuels and related markets, seeks a Director of Specialty Chemicals & Lubricants. This role drives growth, profitability, and cross-functional leadership across sales, marketing, operations, and product management.

The Director will shape long-term strategy, expand into new markets, and foster a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement to sustain VP Racing Fuels' leadership in the industry.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in specialty chemicals, lubricants, industrial products, or related industries.
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing sales teams, business units, or commercial operations.
• Demonstrated success developing new markets, increasing revenue, improving profitability, and managing key customer relationships.
• Experience leading strategic sales initiatives, contract negotiations, pricing strategies, and supplier relationships.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets, forecasting, margin analysis, and P&L responsibility.
• Experience collaborating with manufacturing, operations, supply chain, and customer service functions.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the Specialty Chemicals and Lubricants business segment, including sales growth, market expansion, product positioning, customer retention, and profitability objectives.
• Lead, mentor, and develop sales, customer service, and business development personnel, fostering a high-performance culture focused on accountability, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities, strategic partnerships, acquisitions, and market channels to drive sustainable revenue growth and increase market share within specialty chemical and lubricant markets.
• Establish sales objectives, performance metrics, and business development strategies while monitoring results and implementing corrective actions when necessary.
• Maintain expert knowledge of lubricant technologies, industrial applications, specialty chemical solutions, market trends, competitive products, and customer requirements to support business growth and innovation.
• Collaborate with production, operations, procurement, and shipping teams to ensure accurate inventory management, timely order fulfillment, product availability, and successful execution of customer requirements.
• Direct and support marketing initiatives to ensure successful implementation of branding, promotional campaigns, product launches, technical communications, and market development strategies.
• Manage supplier and manufacturer relationships, including negotiations, product sourcing, pricing strategies, and contract administration to ensure competitive positioning and profitability.
• Develop, manage, and periodically review departmental budgets, sales forecasts, and strategic business plans. Maintain responsibility for the profitability and financial performance of all specialty chemical and lubricant product lines.
• Analyze sales performance, margin trends, market conditions, and operational metrics to identify opportunities for growth, process improvements, and cost optimization.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory, environmental, health, and safety requirements related to chemical handling, storage, transportation, and distribution.
• Prepare and present reports, forecasts, strategic plans, and business performance updates as requested by the President.
• Serve as a key member of the leadership team, contributing to company-wide strategic initiatives, operational planning, organizational development, and long-term business objectives.

Skills

Close new business

Sales motivation

Verbal and written communication

Sales and marketing techniques

Multi-tasking

Organizational and analytical skills

Automotive chemicals knowledge

Education

Experience in specialty chemicals industry

Leadership experience in sales teams

Contract negotiations and pricing

Job description

Description

At VP Racing Fuels, we are committed to delivering innovative, high-performance solutions that power success across the racing, automotive, industrial, and commercial markets. As a global leader in performance fuels, lubricants, and specialty products, VP continues to expand its portfolio and market presence through a commitment to quality, technical expertise, and customer-focused service. The Director of Specialty Chemicals & Lubricants will provide strategic leadership for the growth, profitability, and operational success of the Company's specialty chemicals, lubricants, and performance fluids business. This individual will be responsible for driving sales growth, developing new markets, strengthening customer and supplier relationships, and leading cross-functional efforts across sales, marketing, customer service, operations, and product management. As a key member of the leadership team, the Director will help shape and execute the Company's long-term strategy while fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, safety, and continuous improvement to support VP Racing Fuels' continued growth and industry leadership.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the Specialty Chemicals and Lubricants business segment, including sales growth, market expansion, product positioning, customer retention, and profitability objectives.


• Lead, mentor, and develop sales, customer service, and business development personnel, fostering a high-performance culture focused on accountability, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement.


• Identify and pursue new business opportunities, strategic partnerships, acquisitions, and market channels to drive sustainable revenue growth and increase market share within specialty chemical and lubricant markets.


• Establish sales objectives, performance metrics, and business development strategies while monitoring results and implementing corrective actions when necessary.


• Maintain expert knowledge of lubricant technologies, industrial applications, specialty chemical solutions, market trends, competitive products, and customer requirements to support business growth and innovation.


• Collaborate with production, operations, procurement, and shipping teams to ensure accurate inventory management, timely order fulfillment, product availability, and successful execution of customer requirements.


• Direct and support marketing initiatives to ensure successful implementation of branding, promotional campaigns, product launches, technical communications, and market development strategies.


• Manage supplier and manufacturer relationships, including negotiations, product sourcing, pricing strategies, and contract administration to ensure competitive positioning and profitability.


• Develop, manage, and periodically review departmental budgets, sales forecasts, and strategic business plans. Maintain responsibility for the profitability and financial performance of all specialty chemical and lubricant product lines.


• Analyze sales performance, margin trends, market conditions, and operational metrics to identify opportunities for growth, process improvements, and cost optimization.


• Ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory, environmental, health, and safety requirements related to chemical handling, storage, transportation, and distribution.


• Prepare and present reports, forecasts, strategic plans, and business performance updates as requested by the President.


• Serve as a key member of the leadership team, contributing to company-wide strategic initiatives, operational planning, organizational development, and long-term business objectives.

Competencies, Job Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to close new business and achieve goals.


• Exhibit strong motivation to make sales.


• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work with all levels of management and a variety of sponsors, vendors, and customers


• Demonstrated understanding of in-depth sales and marketing techniques and financial principles. Effective ability to communicate orally or in written form effectively with co-management, internal and external sponsors, vendors, and customers


• Ability to manage multiple priorities


• Strong organizational and analytical skills


• Knowledge of automotive chemicals, small engines, and aviation is preferred

Education and Experience:

• 10+ years of progressive experience in specialty chemicals, lubricants, petroleum products, industrial products, or a related industry.


• 5+ years of leadership experience managing sales teams, business units, or commercial operations.


• Demonstrated success developing new markets, increasing revenue, improving profitability, and managing key customer relationships.


• Experience leading strategic sales initiatives, contract negotiations, pricing strategies, and supplier relationships.


• Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets, forecasting, margin analysis, and P&L responsibility.


• Experience collaborating with manufacturing, operations, supply chain, and customer service functions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Required to lift up to 25 lbs.


• Regularly required to sit, stand, bend, reach, and move about the facility.


• May be subject to sitting for long periods of time to perform job scope.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Location of position: Corporate Headquarters


• Travel is required at times


• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record are required


• Background checks and drug tests required


• Work will generally be performed in an office environment.


• May be exposed to shop elements such as noise, dust, odors, fumes, and oils.


• May be required to work hours other than the regular schedule.