Distribution Manager Microbial Protection Europe

Ashland Specialties Deutschland GmbH

Ashland has an exciting opportunity for a Distribution Manager Microbial Protection Europe to join our Ashland team in Germany, Italy, Spain or France.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Qualifications

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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).