Principal Manager Benelux

Optify Search are currently partnered with a leading global distributor of speciality ingredients, searching for a Principal Manager – Personal Care to drive strategic supplier relationships and portfolio growth across the Benelux region.

This position combines technical expertise, supplier management, and commercial leadership, acting as the key link between principal partners, sales teams, and customers to drive growth and strengthen position the distributor's position within the Personal Care ingredients market.

Responsibilities

• Manage strategic principal relationships, developing business plans, growth strategies, and long-term partnerships with key Personal Care ingredient suppliers.
• Act as the primary interface between principals and the organisation, ensuring alignment on commercial objectives, portfolio development, and market opportunities.
• Deliver technical and commercial support to internal sales teams and customers, leveraging ingredient knowledge to identify opportunities and maximise portfolio performance.
• Drive portfolio growth across the Benelux region, identifying market trends, new business opportunities, and routes to market for innovative ingredient technologies.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Technical, Marketing, Product Management, Regulatory, and Sales, to successfully execute supplier growth plans.
• Represent organisation and principal partners at customer meetings, industry events, and technical presentations, promoting the value and capabilities of the ingredient portfolio.

Qualifications

• Technical Background: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemistry, Cosmetic Science, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Science, Life Sciences, or a related scientific discipline.
• Industry Experience: Minimum 5 years of experience within Personal Care ingredients, speciality chemicals, cosmetic formulations, or a related industry.
• Supplier or Product Management Experience: Experience managing ingredient portfolios, supplier relationships, principal partnerships, or strategic product categories.
• Commercial Acumen: Proven ability to develop business strategies, identify market opportunities, and deliver sustainable revenue growth.
• Technical Credibility: Strong understanding of Personal Care ingredients, formulation trends, and ingredient functionality with the ability to engage confidently with R&D, formulators, and technical stakeholders.
• Personal Attributes: Commercially driven, relationship-focused, proactive, and able to influence stakeholders across multiple functions and regions.

What's on Offer

This role offers a competitive salary, bonus structure, and comprehensive benefits package, together with the opportunity to join one of the world's leading speciality ingredient distributors. The position provides significant visibility with global suppliers and offers excellent long-term career development within a growing international organisation.

About Optify Search

Optify Search is a leading executive search and selection business. From our offices in London, we provide retained and contingency recruitment solutions across industry and have specialist recruitment consultants working within the Healthcare, Ingredients, Chemicals, Contract Manufacturing, Packaging, and Semiconductor sectors