Director of Mining Applications & Technical Sales

Economy Polymers & Chemicals•Houston, TX

16d

About The Position

A leading specialty polymer manufacturing organization is seeking a results-driven Director of Mining Applications & Technical Sales to launch and lead its Mining Polymers Division. This role focuses on emulsion polyacrylamide flocculants used in tailings management and mineral processing operations. The ideal candidate will drive market entry, build strategic mining accounts, lead thickener optimization trials, and translate site-specific processing requirements into customized polymer solutions. This individual will combine strong commercial leadership with deep technical expertise to build a multi-million-dollar mining chemicals division. This is a manufacturing-driven role - not distribution. The company designs, formulates, and produces customized polymer solutions.

Requirements

Minimum of 8 years of experience in mining chemical sales, applications, or technical services.
Proven experience with emulsion polyacrylamide flocculants in mineral processing.
Demonstrated success managing a substantial territory or business unit.
Track record of converting mining operations from incumbent suppliers.
Excellent commercial negotiation and strategic account management skills.
Strong analytical and troubleshooting capabilities.
Ability to operate independently while building a new division.
Proficiency in CRM systems and reporting tools.
Full-time; flexibility required based on customer site schedules and field trials.
Approximately 40-60% travel to mining sites across North America (and potentially international expansion markets).
Unrestricted eligibility to travel in and our of US is a requirement.
Combination of office-based strategic planning and frequent on-site presence at mining operations, including processing plants and tailings facilities.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience with leading suppliers strongly preferred.
Advanced technical background strongly valued.
Equivalent industry experience considered.

Responsibilities

Sales & Market Development: Develop and execute go-to-market strategy for mining flocculants.
Build, strengthen, and manage relationships with mine operators, metallurgical teams, and procurement groups.
Identify, pursue, and convert key mining accounts from incumbent suppliers.
Lead negotiations for multi-year supply agreements.
Build and scale a high revenue portfolio with long-term growth objectives.
Technical Leadership & Field Applications: Conduct and oversee field trials.
Provide on-site technical troubleshooting and performance optimization.
Translate site chemistry, particle size distribution, and solids behavior into optimized polymer specifications.
Collaborate with internal R&D to refine molecular weight and charge density targeting.
Support commissioning, product transitions, and performance benchmarking.
Product & Market Expertise: Maintain deep technical knowledge of emulsion polyacrylamide flocculants.
Understand mineral processing flowsheets and tailings management systems.
Monitor competitive technologies, product trends, and evolving mining regulations.
Provide strategic market feedback to leadership to guide product development and forecasting.
Business Growth & Industry Presence: Represent the company at mining industry conferences, trade shows, and technical forums.
Develop strategic partnerships within various diversified markets.
Identify new geographic and commodity expansion opportunities.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with internal R&D, manufacturing, supply chain, and logistics teams to ensure seamless product delivery and performance.
Work closely with senior polymer chemists to tailor formulations to site-specific requirements.
Support production planning aligned with customer demand and project timelines.
CRM & Reporting: Maintain accurate records of account activity, trial results, pipeline status, and revenue forecasts.
Report regularly on sales performance, market penetration, and division growth metrics.
Provide strategic updates to executive leadership.