We help chemical and ingredient companies hire the leaders who drive performance, growth, and transformation through a structured, search model built for complex environments.
Kelham Partners delivers search designed for speed, rigour, and long-term fit.
We don’t just send CVs, we run full-cycle, confidential searches that map the market, protect your brand, and attract high-impact candidates you won’t find through traditional recruitment methods.
Whether you’re making a pivotal hire post-acquisition, scaling into a new market, or replacing a key leader discreetly, we act as a true extension of your team, managing the entire process from brief through to onboarding.
Who We Work With
We support senior hiring across
- Speciality chemical manufacturers
- Ingredient and formulation suppliers
- Contract manufacturers
- Chemical distributors and toll processors
- Private equity firms with chemical portfolio companies
Our clients range from high-growth scale-ups to global enterprises all operating in highly technical, regulated environments where leadership quality directly impacts commercial success.
Typical Functions We Recruit
We specialise in international recruitment across
Commercial Functions
Sales Managers, Business Development Managers, Key Account Managers, Sales Directors, Business Unit Leaders, Key Account Heads, Marketing Managers & Directors, VPs of Commercial, Chief Sales Officers, Chief Commercial Officers
Operations & Supply Chain
Site Directors, Plant Managers, Heads of Manufacturing, Supply Chain & Logistics VPs, General Managers, VPs of Operations, Chief Operating Officers
Regulatory & Quality
Heads of QA/RA, Regulatory Affairs Directors, VP Quality, Compliance Leaders
Private Equity Portfolio Support
Transformation Leads, Leadership Build-Outs, Interim Executives, Chief Finance Officers, CEOs
How We Work
Our process is built to deliver confidence at every stage
1. Intake & Discovery
Deep-dive into your business, culture, and challenges
2. Research & Market Mapping
Discreet identification of target talent globally
3. Engagement & Assessment
Structured outreach, candidate qualification, and 360 referencing
4. Shortlist & Selection
Fully briefed shortlist delivered with insight and transparency
5. 360 degree referencing
Holistic candidate checks via bespoke peer, manager & client references
6. Offer Management & Onboarding
Hands-on support through resignation, acceptance, and integration
Why Kelham Partners?
Specialist Focus
We recruit exclusively within speciality chemicals and ingredients, meaning faster delivery and stronger candidate engagement.
Global Reach
We’ve completed search mandates across EMEA, North America, and APAC, often cross-border, always discreet.
Senior-Level Expertise
We are experienced in director, VP, and C-suite appointments where talent makes the biggest impact.
Private Equity Alignment
We understand the pace, expectations, and stakeholder complexity of PE-backed environments.
Need to hire a senior leader in chemicals or ingredients?
Let’s talk about how we can help.
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