Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants & Elastomers Executive Search
Kelham Partners delivers retained executive search for companies operating across the CASE (Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants & Elastomers) value chain, from raw material suppliers to formulation specialists and end-use innovators.
We partner with global manufacturers, private equity-backed platforms, and niche players supplying into automotive, construction, packaging, electronics, and industrial markets. Our deep sector focus means we understand the complex technical, regulatory, and commercial environment you operate in and we know how to find the leadership talent to match.
Who We Support
We work with businesses involved in
- Coating & Paint Systems
Architectural, automotive, industrial, marine, wood - Adhesive Technologies
Hot-melt, pressure-sensitive, reactive & solvent-based systems - Sealants & Elastomers
Silicone, polyurethane, polysulfide, hybrid - Raw Material Supply
Resins, polymers, pigments, fillers, additives, dispersants - Formulation & Application Development
OEMs and toll/co-manufacturers
Whether you’re recruiting a Sales Director to lead EMEA, a Plant Manager to drive throughput, or a BU Leader to scale a key market, we deliver with pace and precision.
Typical Roles We Recruit in CASE
We specialise in international recruitment across
- Commercial
Sales & Account Managers, Business Development Managers, Sales Directors, Key Account Managers, BU Heads, Regional Leaders - Operations & Supply Chain
Site Directors, Plant Managers, Production & Logistics Heads - Technical & Innovation
R&D Managers, Application Chemists, Technical Directors - Regulatory, Quality & EHS
Regulatory Affairs Managers, Heads of QA, EHS Leaders - Global Talent. Deep Market Insight
We’ve supported search mandates across Europe, North America and Asia, including cross-border searches in the DACH region, Benelux, Scandinavia, and the US.
With experience working inside complex matrix organisations and agile mid-sized players, we understand how to balance global expectations with local execution.
Why Choose Kelham Partners?
True sector specialists in Speciality chemicals and formulated products
Access to top commercial and operational leaders in the CASE market
Search model built on partnership, rigour, and discretion
Speed, clarity, and accountability from project launch to placement
Case Study
EMEA Commercial Director – Coatings Manufacturer
Client
A private equity-backed global supplier of industrial coatings for automotive and construction sectors.
Brief
Hire an EMEA Commercial Director to lead multi-country sales teams, restructure underperforming regions, and build a pipeline for strategic accounts, all within a complex matrix organisation.
Challenges
- The position was confidential due to internal succession planning
- Required experience in both high-performance coatings and formulated systems
- Needed leadership across multiple European markets and languages
- PE-backed — strong commercial outcomes expected in short timeframes
Our Approach
We ran a retained search targeting candidates with a proven track record in CASE, strong regional knowledge, and experience operating in PE or transformation-led environments. The shortlist was delivered in under 4 weeks with detailed insight on candidate motivators and cultural fit.
Outcome
The successful hire was a regional GM with both coatings and adhesives experience across DACH & Benelux. Within 9 months, they had delivered a 17% YoY revenue uplift and led a commercial restructure that improved gross margin in two key markets.
Hiring in the CASE sector?
Let’s connect and find the right people to drive your next phase of growth.
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