Job Purpose (Please describe overall purpose and scope of the job)

Sappi is seeking a Technical Sales Manager to drive the growth of the Valida business within the homecare market.

Across global markets, there is increasing demand for high-performance, sustainable ingredients with a reduced carbon footprint. Derived from renewable cellulose fibre, Valida offers a differentiated, bio-based alternative for formulators seeking to improve both product performance and environmental impact.

In this role, you will take ownership of developing the homecare segment by combining technical application expertise with commercial execution. You will build and convert a robust opportunity pipeline, expand our customer base, and strengthen partnerships with distributors and key accounts. Success in this role requires the ability to translate formulation needs into value propositions, influence customer decisions early in the development cycle, and position Valida as a preferred solution in homecare applications.

Principle Accountabilities (Please identify 6-8 key accountabilities of the job)

Key Performance Indicators (Please write down specific targets/measures that the job aims to deliver)

• Achievement of sales targets (revenue, volume, margin)
• Growth of homecare customer base and pipeline conversion rate
• New product introductions and application wins
• Customer satisfaction and retention
• Distributor performance and engagement effectiveness

Key Competencies (Please indicate leadership, behavioural, technical competencies required of the job)

Commercial & Technical

• Strong technical sales capability within functional additives or specialty ingredients
• Proven ability to influence formulation decisions and create value-based sales arguments
• Solid understanding of homecare formulations and performance testing is highly preferred
• Strategic thinking combined with hands-on execution
• Strong negotiation and contract management skills
• Financial and business acumen

Behavioural

• Entrepreneurial, self-driven, and results-oriented
• Comfortable operating in an evolving and ambiguous environment
• Strong relationship builder with a customer-centric mindset
• Collaborative team player, able to work effectively across functions and cultures
• Resilient and adaptable, with a proactive approach to problem-solving

Job Requirements (Please indicate qualification, knowledge, skills and experiences required of the job)

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field
• Proven experience in technical sales or business development within functional additives, preferably in the homecare market
• Demonstrated success in developing new business and managing key accounts in a B2B environment
• Experience working with distributors in international markets is a strong advantage
• Exposure to adjacent markets such as personal care is a plus
• Familiarity with innovation processes and stage-gate development in B2B industries
• Fluent in English; additional European languages (German, French, or Spanish) are an advantage
• Proficient in CRM tools (e.g. Salesforce) and standard business software
• High level of integrity and commitment to Sappi’s values and sustainability principles