Seoul, Korea | Permanent / Full-time | 차장~부장 Level

Our client is a leading global industrial materials and solutions group, operating across multiple markets worldwide. The company develops high-performance materials, technologies, and solutions for demanding industrial applications, with a strong emphasis on innovation, engineering, and advanced materials.
The Korea business works closely with customers and global R&D, manufacturing, and technical teams to develop customized solutions and create long-term commercial value.

We are currently looking for an experienced Sales Manager – Ceramics to lead the technical sales organization and drive the next stage of growth in Korea.
This position combines technical sales, business development, sales team leadership, and cross-functional project management.
You will take ownership of the Korean market, develop strategic customer relationships, identify new business opportunities, and work closely with global technical and manufacturing teams to deliver solutions that meet customer requirements.
The ideal candidate is a commercially driven sales professional with strong technical understanding and the ability to lead both customers and internal stakeholders toward business growth.

Responsibilities

Technical Sales & Business Development

• Lead technical sales activities and drive revenue growth in the Korean market.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key customers and business partners.
• Identify new business opportunities, markets, and applications.
• Develop commercial strategies and lead customer negotiations.
• Convert opportunities into sustainable, long-term business.

Sales Team Leadership

• Lead, develop, and motivate the sales team to achieve business objectives.
• Set priorities, provide coaching, and support team members' development.
• Monitor sales performance and establish improvement plans.
• Build a collaborative, customer-focused, high-performance culture.

Cross-functional & Global Collaboration

• Lead projects involving Sales, R&D, Production, and other functions.
• Collaborate with global R&D and manufacturing teams to develop customer-specific solutions.
• Coordinate projects from customer requirements through technical development and commercial implementation.
• Share market intelligence and customer insights with global stakeholders.

Market & Customer Development

• Analyze market trends, customer requirements, and competitive developments.
• Develop strategies to expand existing accounts and penetrate new markets.
• Build long-term customer partnerships by understanding technical applications and business needs.
• Represent the company professionally with customers and internal stakeholders.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in sales, technical sales, or business development, preferably in an industrial or technical B2B environment.
• Proven track record in new business development and account growth.
• Strong negotiation, communication, and customer relationship management skills.
• Experience coordinating or managing cross-functional projects.
• Previous experience managing or developing a sales team is preferred.
• Bachelor's degree preferred, ideally in Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, or a related technical field.
• Intermediate or higher English proficiency, with the ability to communicate effectively with global stakeholders.
• Strong commercial drive, ownership, and ability to work independently.

Candidates with experience in any of the following areas will be particularly relevant:

• Ceramics or advanced materials
• Industrial materials or chemicals
• Technical B2B products and solutions
• Customer-specific technical development
• Industrial manufacturing
• Global companies and international R&D/manufacturing organizations
• Key account management or sales team leadership
• Complex, multi-stakeholder project management

We are looking for someone who is:

• Proactive and challenge-oriented
• Commercially driven with strong business acumen
• Comfortable combining technical understanding with sales expertise
• A strong communicator and team player
• Skilled at negotiation and stakeholder management
• Self-motivated and capable of working independently
• Entrepreneurial, with a strong sense of ownership
• Diligent and committed to high-quality execution