Forty-Five Group is a boutique executive search firm based in Houston, Texas.  It was founded on the principle of getting back to basics in recruiting.  Our goal is to present clients with quality talent while providing candidates with a positive experience.

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We are actively interviewing candidates for a Sales Executive-Chemicals and Industrial opportunity.

 

Our client is a leading global management consulting firm specializing in operations strategy and performance improvement. We work closely with clients across a broad range of industries to deliver real results tailored to their unique needs. Our end-to-end services integrate industrial AI, digital solutions, sustainability, people development, transactions and turnaround, R&D and product profitability, cost and value engineering, manufacturing, procurement, and supply chain. We drive transformation through 1,500 projects annually in over 75 countries. Powered by deep industry knowledge and a commitment to lasting impact, our client works closely with global brands, mid-sized companies, and private equity to build resilience and future-ready operations.

 

Our client operates across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil, translating its global expertise into locally executed, results-driven solutions. With teams on the ground throughout the Americas and direct access to its worldwide capabilities, our client delivers practical, execution-focused support tailored to regional market dynamics and client needs—helping organizations achieve measurable, sustainable results from strategy through implementation.

 

Role:

We are actively interviewing candidates for a Sales Executive to accelerate the growth of our Chemicals Practice across the Americas. This is a senior commercial role for an individual who understands professional services/operations consulting in the chemicals industry, can establish credible relationships with executive and operational leaders, and has a demonstrated ability to originate and convert complex consulting opportunities.

 

The successful candidate will develop new client relationships, expand our clients' position within existing and past accounts, and build a strong, qualified pipeline across chemicals, petrochemicals, specialty chemicals, and related process industries.

 

Working closely with the Chemicals Partners, industry experts, and capability teams, the Sales Executive will help clients define their most important operational and financial challenges and connect those needs with our clients' capabilities. The role will lead opportunities from initial engagement and qualification through solution development, proposal, negotiation and contract award.

 

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute a focused business development plan for the Chemicals practice across the Americas.

• Build and maintain a qualified pipeline of new opportunities within priority chemical industry segments and accounts.

• Establish trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders, including C-suite executives and leaders across operations, manufacturing, maintenance, reliability, supply chain and continuous improvement.

• Open new client accounts while identifying opportunities to expand work with existing and past clients.

• Understand clients’ operational and financial priorities and connect them with relevant capabilities and experience

• Lead the commercial development process from initial engagement through qualification, solution shaping, proposal development, negotiation and close.

• Coordinate with Partners and subject-matter experts to develop compelling, outcome-based client propositions.

• Maintain strong pipeline discipline, opportunity plans and accurate forecasting within the CRM.

• Represent client at relevant industry conferences, associations and client events.

• Provide market intelligence on client priorities, competitor activity and emerging industry opportunities.

• Support the development of strategic channels, including private equity firms, technology partners and other professional-services organizations.

• Remain engaged during project mobilization to help ensure a strong transition from sale to delivery and support long-term account development.

 

What success looks like: 

Success in this role will be measured through:

• Creation and conversion of a healthy, qualified sales pipeline.

• Growth in new-logo and existing-account revenue.

• Achievement of annual bookings and margin objectives.

• Development of strategic, multi-level client relationships.

• Quality and accuracy of opportunity management and forecasting.

• Effective collaboration with consulting and delivery teams.

• Contribution to the long-term growth and market position of the Chemicals practice.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, supply chain, operations management, business or a related discipline.

• MBA or another relevant advanced degree is preferred.

• Relevant professional qualifications, such as Lean Six Sigma certification or a Professional Engineer designation, are beneficial but not required.

Experience:

• Significant experience selling professional services in consulting or industry (operations consulting preferred).

• A strong business network across the North American Chemicals market, particularly at executive and senior operational levels.

• Demonstrated success originating, developing and closing complex consulting or professional-services engagements. with a sales target of 6 million+ per year.

• A practical understanding of chemical manufacturing operations and the issues facing the sector, including cost competitiveness, operational performance, maintenance and reliability, workforce productivity, supply chain and capital effectiveness.

• The ability to engage credibly with both corporate executives and plant leadership.

• Strong commercial judgment, including opportunity qualification, value proposition development, pricing and negotiation.

• A demonstrated collaborative working style and the ability to mobilize colleagues across industries, capabilities and geographies.

Technical Competencies:

• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

• Experience using CRM platforms to manage contacts, activities, pipeline and forecasting.

• Ability to develop professional proposals, presentations and commercial reports.

Professional Competencies:

• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.

• Executive presence and credibility with senior client stakeholders.

• A collaborative, team-oriented approach.

• Strong commercial drive and personal accountability for results.

• An entrepreneurial and proactive mindset.

• Ability to operate effectively across cultures, functions and geographies.

• Intellectual curiosity and the ability to quickly understand different client situations.

• High standards of integrity, professionalism and confidentiality.