Business Development Manager – Cellulosic Passive Fire Protection (C‑PFP) – Middle East

About the role

Hempel is seeking a Business Development Manager to lead and expand its Cellulosic Passive Fire Protection (C‑PFP) business across the Middle East. You will combine strategic sales leadership with hands‑on market engagement, influencing customers, specifiers and internal teams in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Egypt.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and execute the regional commercial strategy for C‑PFP across multiple Middle East markets.
• Own revenue, profitability and performance targets for the assigned area.
• Build and strengthen relationships with key accounts, specifiers and industry influencers.
• Guide regional sales teams to exceed targets and deliver sustainable growth.
• Identify market trends, future demand and growth opportunities within the passive fire protection space.
• Ensure Hempel’s C‑PFP portfolio aligns with market needs, collaborating with Marketing and Product teams.
• Drive pipeline visibility, CRM excellence and structured sales processes.
• Act as the commercial and technical reference point for C‑PFP in the region.
• Champion commercial excellence, value‑based selling and customer centricity while ensuring compliance and governance.

Required profile

• Proven experience in commercial leadership, sales or business development within passive fire protection, fire protection, coatings or technical construction solutions.
• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or Master’s degree in a relevant discipline strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of Cellulosic Passive Fire Protection systems and project‑based environments.
• Strategic, data‑driven mindset with experience working to defined standards.
• Demonstrated ability to influence cross‑country teams (people leadership or matrix leadership).
• Track record of delivering against ambitious targets in high‑pressure environments.
• Proactive, creative and innovative problem‑solver.
• Fluent in English (spoken and written); Arabic is an advantage.

Required skills

• Cellulosic Passive Fire Protection systems
• CRM tools and digital sales platforms