Distribution Manager Microbial Protection Europe

Ashland Specialties Deutschland GmbH

Distribution Manager Microbial Protection Europe (m/f/d)

Are you the kind of person that is always thinking, sketching, seeking, and adjusting? Who needs to understand how things work and then figure out how they can work better? Are you a passionate, tenacious solver who loves to work with others who share your drive? Are you positive, constructive, and ingenious?

Are you always solving?

Then we'd like to meet you and bet you'd like to meet us.

Ashland has an exciting opportunity for a Distribution Manager Microbial Protection Europe

to join our Ashland team in Germany, Italy, Spain or France.

This position will report to the Regional Sales Leader EMEA, Microbial Protection.

The responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Generating sustainable and profitable growth for the Microbial Protection Business through an assigned list of distribution partners across Europe.

• Developing and executing distribution strategies, business plans, and growth initiatives for assigned territories and partners.

• Managing and developing strategic relationships with distribution partners to maximize sales, profitability, customer reach, and market penetration with a clear focus on Ashland innovation.

• Monitoring distributor performance and driving execution through regular business reviews, KPI tracking, forecasting, opportunity management and action plans.

• Identifying and supporting new business opportunities, focus products, and strategic projects through the distribution network.

• Providing strategic and operational support and guidance to distribution partners including positioning, commercial negotiations, trainings, workshops, technical support, and joint customer visits.

• Onboarding, developing, and evaluating distribution partners in alignment with regional business strategy.

• Maintaining an expert knowledge of market trends, competitive landscape, customer needs, and innovations within the cosmetic preservatives and multifunctional ingredients market.

• Collaborating with Marketing, Technical Service, Regulatory, Supply Chain, Customer Service, Finance, Commercial Excellence and Sales to ensure alignment and successful execution of business objectives.

• Acting as the primary commercial interface between Ashland and assigned distribution partners.

• Providing Voice of Customer insights, market intelligence, and competitive feedback to support portfolio development and business strategy.

In order to be qualified for this role, you must possess the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, chemical engineering, business or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

• Minimum 5 years of proven commercial experience in distribution management, sales, business development, account management, or a related role.

• Demonstrated success managing distributors, channel partners, or indirect sales networks.

• Strong commercial, negotiation, and relationship-management skills.

• Experience in forecasting, pricing, business planning, and performance management.

• Ability to operate effectively within a matrix organization.

• Valid driver's license and ability to travel independently across the assigned territory

• Willingness to travel (approximately 30-40% within Europe).

• Fluent in English.

The following skill sets are also preferred by the business unit:

• Working experience in the field of cosmetic preservatives, multifunctional ingredients, or personal care ingredients.

• Strong understanding of distributor management, channel strategy, and indirect sales models.

• Experience with international distribution agreements and distributor performance management.

• Know-how in microbiology, product development, formulation, or cosmetic science.

• Strong presentation, communication, and influencing skills.

• Experience working with CRM systems and commercial reporting tools.

• Fluent in Italian, Spanish, French and/or German language would be a plus

Success Profile

The successful candidate combines strong commercial leadership with a partnership-oriented mindset. The role requires the ability to manage distributor organizations without direct authority, drive accountability through clear KPIs and business plans, and translate strategic objectives into measurable commercial results.

This individual acts as a trusted advisor to distribution partners, a strong internal collaborator across functions, and a key driver of sustainable growth through Ashland’s indirect sales channel.

Equal Opportunity & Data Privacy

Ashland is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to gender, age, disability, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law, in accordance with the German General Act on Equal Treatment (AGG).

Personal data submitted as part of the application process will be processed in accordance with applicable data protection laws, including the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the German Federal Data Protection Act (BDSG).

Ashland Privacy Notice is available on our website www.ashland.com/ link:

Privacy

In more than 100 countries, the people of Ashland LLC. (NYSE: ASH) provide the specialty chemicals, technologies and insights to help customers create new and improved products for today and sustainable solutions for tomorrow. Our chemistry is at work every day in a wide variety of markets and applications, including architectural coatings, automotive, construction, energy, personal care and pharmaceutical. Visit www.ashland.com to see the innovations we offer.   At Ashland our vision is to be a leading, global specialty chemicals company whose inspired and engaged employees add value to all we touch. In fact our people, employees, customers and vendors define who we are. They are the driving force behind everything we do.   Not only do we value our customers but we value our employees, and we work to offer them a dynamic and challenging environment. We hold ourselves to high standards at Ashland, and we value integrity and honesty.   Ashland has a history of attracting the best people and keeping them. The reasons are simple: industry competitive salary and benefits, pay-for-performance incentive plans and a diverse work environment where employees feel challenged and valued. People come to Ashland and stay. As a growing Fortune 500 specialty chemicals company, we offer opportunities for development and advancement throughout our global organization. Our values define who we are and what we care about as a company. If you are looking for a relationship with a company instead of simply a job, this may be a great fit.

Ashland is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled/Gender Identity/Sexual Orientation. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. NOTE:  We do not accept resumes from external staffing agencies or independent recruiters for any of our openings unless we have a signed recruiting agreement in place to fill a specific position.