Company Name
Hexion
Search Job Title
Senior Global Commodity Manager
Client Profile
Hexion is a global chemicals company that creates innovative performance materials that are the building blocks for critical industries—including construction, agriculture, energy, automotive, and infrastructure protection.
Role Objectives & Challenges
Hexion sought to fill two critical Senior Global Commodity Manager positions. These roles required candidates with extensive experience in the chemical industry who could seamlessly communicate complex technical concepts with suppliers. Additionally, these individuals needed to demonstrate strong executive presence, capable of engaging and influencing C-suite leaders with impactful communication skills. The ideal candidates had to be highly driven, able to negotiate effectively with suppliers while securing buy-in from internal stakeholders. Strong communication skills were essential, as was the ability to defend decisions in a collaborative and high-stakes organizational environment. These were high-visibility, high-impact roles that demanded technical acumen, exceptional confidence, and the ability to navigate significant authority and accountability.
Our Approach to Solve the Search
To meet Hexion’s needs, we began by leveraging a pipeline of pre-qualified candidates from a recent, similar search. This expedited the hiring process for one of the positions, allowing us to make an immediate recommendation and focus on sourcing for the second role. Given that the positions were remote, we expanded our candidate pool beyond local talent, targeting professionals from comparably sized chemical companies. This strategic decision enabled us to identify candidates who met the nuanced requirements of the role, including the technical background and expertise essential for immediate impact. Additionally, we prioritized sourcing talent from large organizations to ensure candidates possessed the necessary communication skills and experience interacting at the executive level. Hexion’s need for a swift hiring process made it critical to focus on candidates who could hit the ground running. The combination of a deep understanding of the chemical industry and the ability to navigate complex supplier relationships was non-negotiable for success in these roles.
The Hire & Results
The first position was filled quickly, thanks to the existing pipeline of qualified candidates and Hexion’s highly responsive approach to the search process. For the second role, we collaborated closely with the hiring manager and the Chief Procurement Officer (CPO), fostering a strong partnership that accelerated the search timeline. Within six weeks of the kickoff date, the second position was successfully filled. Hexion’s leadership played a pivotal role in streamlining the hiring process, ensuring candidates were reviewed and advanced to decision-makers without delays. This partnership, combined with our focused sourcing strategy, allowed us to deliver high-caliber talent in record time, meeting Hexion’s expectations and supporting their organizational goals.
