Electronics & Advanced Materials Executive Search Expertise
Kelham Partners delivers retained executive search for companies operating at the intersection of chemistry, innovation, and technology from electronic chemicals and advanced polymers to high-performance composites and functional materials.
We work with global manufacturers, PE-backed scale-ups, and materials innovators serving sectors like semiconductors, batteries, aerospace, automotive, and industrial electronics. These are fast-moving, high-specification markets where commercial and technical leadership must be deeply aligned.
Whether you’re building out a commercial division, hiring your first GM in a new region, or strengthening your innovation pipeline, we help you attract talent who can navigate complexity and drive growth.
Who We Support
We work with businesses involved in
- Electronic chemicals manufacturers
Semiconductor materials, photoresists, etchants, CMP slurries, wet chemistries - Battery & energy storage materials suppliers
Electrolytes, separators, cathode/anode materials - High-performance coatings & composites
Thermal, electrical, and EMI/RFI shielding technologies - 3D printing & additive manufacturing materials
Polymers, metals, ceramics - Advanced polymers & engineered resins
High-heat and flame-retardant materials - Cleanroom & Speciality process chemicals
Ultrapure, low-metal, EHS-regulated chemistries
Typical Roles We Recruit
We specialise in international recruitment across
- Commercial
Global Sales Directors, BU Leaders, Strategic Account Managers and Business Developers (OEM & Tier 1) - Technical
Heads of R&D, Application Scientists, Innovation Leads - Operations
Site Directors, Supply Chain VPs, Heads of Engineering - Executive
Managing Directors, Division GMs, VP Strategy, Chief Commercial Officers
Sector Expertise Meets Global Reach
We understand the commercial dynamics, long product cycles, and customer qualification hurdles that define the advanced materials sector. Our network spans Europe, North America, and Asia, and we routinely deliver international search mandates for hard-to-fill, highly technical roles.
As specialist chemical recruiters, we combine scientific fluency with executive search rigour, helping you engage with passive talent the right way.
Case Study
VP Commercial – Semiconductor Materials Supplier
Client
A global manufacturer of high-purity wet chemicals for the semiconductor industry, headquartered in the US with operations in Germany, Singapore, and Japan.
Brief
Hire a VP Commercial to lead global sales and strategic account development with top-tier semiconductor OEMs and fabs. The role required strong technical fluency, commercial leadership, and cross-cultural management experience.
Challenges
- Highly competitive market with long sales cycles and qualification processes
- Needed deep domain knowledge and global leadership capability
- Reporting into a PE board with aggressive growth targets
Our Approach
We delivered a discreet, cross-border retained search across the US, EU, and APAC, targeting commercial leaders from semiconductor materials, electronics, chemicals, and engineered solutions backgrounds.
Outcome
The successful candidate joined from a tier-one CMP supplier and brought both technical depth and a strong network across major fabs in Asia and the US. Within 6 months, they had restructured the sales organisation and secured two multi-million-dollar strategic supply agreements.
Hiring in the electronics or advanced materials sector?
Let’s talk about how we can help you secure the leadership you need.
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