Director of Marketing - Paints and Coatings (United States)

Director of Marketing

Innovative chemical Manufacturer is looking for a Director of Marketing for their chemical applications into the paints and coatings markets. Director of Marketing will spearhead the development and execution of a targeted marketing strategy to elevate our brand and promote our specialized portfolio of resins, rheology modifiers, and dispersants within the North American paints and coatings market. This strategic leadership role demands a deep understanding of B2B chemical marketing, technical expertise in formulation additives, and the ability to navigate regional market dynamics, including economic trends, regulatory landscapes (e.g., EPA, VOC regulations), and customer preferences in the US and Canada. The Director will lead a cross-functional team, collaborating closely with sales, R&D, and technical service groups to position our company as the go-to provider for advanced coating solutions, ultimately driving revenue growth and market share. Ideal location for role is in the Chicago, IL area, but candidate can live in other locations, preferably in the Eastern US.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning: Craft and implement a North America-focused marketing strategy that highlights company's resins for film-forming excellence, rheology modifiers for optimal viscosity control, and dispersants for superior pigment wetting and stabilization, aiming to capture emerging opportunities in architectural, industrial, and automotive coatings segments.
• Market Insights: Perform in-depth market analysis, including competitive intelligence on regional players, supply chain disruptions, and trends like low-VOC formulations and bio-based materials, to inform product positioning and go-to-market strategies specific to North American customer needs.
• Brand Management: Manage brand architecture to ensure consistent, technically accurate messaging across channels, emphasizing our products' contributions to sustainability, performance, and compliance with North American standards such as ASTM and CARB.
• Product Marketing: Partner with R&D to develop detailed value propositions, technical data sheets, and case studies for resins (e.g., acrylic, epoxy), rheology modifiers (e.g., associative thickeners), and dispersants (e.g., polymeric types), creating targeted campaigns that demonstrate benefits like improved sag resistance, leveling, and color development.
• Digital Marketing: Oversee digital efforts tailored to North American audiences, including SEO-optimized content on formulation challenges, webinars on rheology optimization, and LinkedIn campaigns engaging formulators and procurement professionals in the paints sector.
• Trade Shows & Events: Coordinate participation in key North American events such as the American Coatings Show, SSPC conferences, or regional trade fairs, designing interactive booths and seminars to showcase product demos and foster relationships with OEMs, distributors, and end-users.
• Team Leadership: Build and mentor a marketing team with expertise in technical content creation and data-driven campaigns, promoting a collaborative environment that integrates insights from sales teams across the US and Canada.
• Budget Management: Allocate and monitor the marketing budget with a focus on high-ROI activities, such as targeted digital ads in industry publications like PCI Magazine or Coatings World, while adapting to regional economic fluctuations.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work hand-in-hand with sales to develop customer-specific marketing tools, with technical services to validate product claims, and with supply chain to address North American logistics and tariff considerations (e.g., USMCA implications).
• Performance Metrics: Establish and track KPIs such as lead generation from digital campaigns, market penetration in key segments (e.g., waterborne vs. solvent-borne coatings), and ROI on event participation, providing quarterly reports to executive leadership with actionable recommendations.

Desired Skills:

• In-depth knowledge of the North American paints and coatings ecosystem, including formulation science for resins (binders), rheology control (thickeners/additives), and dispersion technology (wetting agents).
• Strong leadership abilities to guide a cross functional team, with emphasis on fostering innovation and cross-cultural collaboration between US and Canadian operations.
• Analytical prowess to interpret market data, customer feedback, and sales metrics, translating them into strategic marketing initiatives.
• Superior communication skills for presenting technical concepts to diverse audiences, from R&D chemists to C-suite executives.
• Attributes: Proactive, adaptable to regulatory changes (e.g., evolving EPA guidelines), customer-focused, and passionate about sustainable chemistry in a competitive North American landscape.

Candidate qualifications:

Company is looking for someone with the following experiences/qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or Materials Science; MBA or advanced degree in a related field preferred.
• Experience marketing sustainable or bio-based resins, rheology modifiers, and dispersants, aligning with North American trends.
• Familiarity with North American regulatory frameworks, including EPA TSCA, Canadian CEPA, and state-specific VOC limits.
• Established professional network in the North American coatings industry, such as memberships in ACA (American Coatings Association) or CPCA (Canadian Paint and Coatings Association).
• 10+ years in marketing, with 5+ years in a senior leadership role within the chemical additives industry, specifically focused on resins, rheology modifiers, or dispersants for paints and coatings.
• Demonstrated success in B2B marketing strategies in North America, including experience with technical selling and navigating complex sales cycles in the coatings market.
• Proven track record in digital marketing, content strategy, and utilizing tools like HubSpot, Google Analytics, or Marketo for targeted campaigns.

Benefit

• sCompany offers base salary- range of 140-210K (commensurate with experience) and performance incentives
• .Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• .401(k) with employer matching
• .Generous PTO, remote work flexibility, and professional development opportunities, including industry conference attendance