Principal Consultant – Chemicals & Materials
London, United Kingdom (Hybrid)
New Business Development | Account Growth | Equity Pathway
While much of the industry is contracting and competitors are pulling back, we're growing and we're doing it differently.
Morgan Latif's Chemicals and Materials practice is an established and expanding team with an active client base spanning Specialty Chemicals, Coatings, Adhesives and Sealants, Agrochemicals, Polymers, Advanced Materials and Chemical Distribution across EMEA and the Americas. We've built a value proposition that speaks directly to the biggest leadership challenges facing these businesses right now, and the numbers back it up.
Who We Are
- Retained, B Corp certified executive search, one of the first search firms globally to earn that certification
- 92% retained, with a 9.45/10 NPS from both candidates and clients
- Our Chemicals and Packaging practice delivered H1 2026 NFI 6% ahead of budget, as part of a company-wide performance that hit 104% of target and grew 42% year-on-year
The Practice You're Joining
Our Chemicals and Materials team operates across a well-developed client base including global multinationals, mid-market specialists and PE-backed businesses, with an increasingly strong footprint across some of Europe's most prominent industrial and materials-focused sponsors.
You will work directly alongside, our Head of Process Industries, who leads with empathy, collaboration and a genuine investment in the people around him. Over a decade of experience his network and personal brand open doors in the European chemicals market that others simply can't, and when you join you inherit that credibility from day one alongside the Morgan Latif name.
The primary focus of this role is winning new retained mandates. Whilst there is an existing client base to develop and warm relationships to build on, we are looking for someone energised by opening new doors, converting prospects and growing the practice's footprint across new clients and geographies. Account development will follow naturally, but new business is the engine.
Our Chemicals practice is in a high-growth phase, building on a strong track record, established client relationships and a genuinely differentiated approach to executive search. With positive momentum returning across the specialty chemicals market, this is a strong moment to join a growing team where you can build your own market and, over time, shape how the practice develops as we continue to scale.
The Role
You will be one of the commercial faces of the practice, a trusted advisor to C-suite and senior leadership stakeholders. Leadership roles typically carry packages from £100k to £500k+.
Your focus sits primarily on winning new retained mandates, with account development as a natural output:
- Winning New Business: Targeting C-suite and C-1 mandates from global majors and PE-backed challengers to high-growth scale-ups across our core verticals
- Converting Prospects into Partners: Designing and delivering compelling retained search proposals that address the specific leadership challenges your clients are navigating right now
- Growing Existing Accounts: Where relationships exist, expanding them across new functions, geographies and business units to build long-term, multi-hire partnerships
- Acting as a Thought Partner: Adding genuine value beyond each search through talent strategy, leadership benchmarking and market insight
Once a mandate is secured, our experienced candidate-facing consultants and commercial operations team take over search execution, allowing you to stay focused on winning and developing client relationships.
Functional Areas We Work Across
We place across three functional verticals at C-suite and C-1 level:
- Commercial: Sales, Business Development and GTM leadership
- Corporate Functions: CFO, CHRO, CMO, CPO and senior functional leadership
- Technical and Operations: Supply Chain, Procurement, Continuous Improvement, QA and Regulatory Affairs
What We're Looking For
We have two profiles in mind and we're genuinely open to both.
Ideally, you will have:
- 3–5 years or more in executive search with a direct focus on Chemicals, Specialty Materials or Advanced Materials
- An established network across one or more of our core verticals that you can activate from day one
- A proven track record of winning retained mandates at C-suite or C-1 level within the sector
- Experience working across EMEA markets, particularly DACH, Benelux or Southern Europe
We will also seriously consider candidates who have:
- 3–5 years or more in executive search within broader Industrials, Manufacturing, Advanced Materials or an adjacent sector
- A strong and demonstrable track record of pitching and winning retained mandates at senior level, even if the sector differs from ours
- The commercial intelligence to translate an existing client development skillset into a new market, supported by Matt and the wider team
In both cases, what matters most is a genuine hunger to win new business, the credibility to operate at C-suite level and the mindset to treat this practice as your own.
Why Join?
- Earn Like an Owner: Commission from 30 to 40% of billings paid monthly, an annual company bonus tied to NFI performance and a separate NPS bonus — combined bonus potential of 3% of personal NFI at Principal level
- EMI Share Option Scheme: A tax-efficient route to genuine equity with no personal buy-in required, opening at Executive Consultant or Manager level
- Private Medical Insurance: Individual cover from Principal level, including cancer care, outpatient treatment, therapies and mental health support
- Personal Development Allowance: £1,500 per year at Principal level, increasing with seniority, to spend on training, coaching or personal growth
- Genuine Meritocracy: Promotion based on personal KPIs and competancies, with a clear path to Management and Directorship
- Unlimited Holiday, Life Insurance at Four Times Salary, Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Policies, Monthly Gym Subsidy and EAP Platform
- Global Team: 40+ consultants across London, Leeds and Austin, spanning 17 nationalities and 21 languages
Location
London — Hybrid. Remote UK considered for candidates with an established network in the sector.
Morgan Latif is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
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Principal Consultant – Chemicals & Materials in London employer: Morgan Latif | B Corp™
Morgan Latif | B Corp™ is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration, making it an ideal place for a Retained Search Growth Partner to thrive. With a competitive salary, equity opportunities, and a supportive team of dedicated consultants, employees are empowered to take ownership of their roles while contributing to meaningful growth across diverse sectors. Located in a vibrant area, the company also prioritises professional development, ensuring that every team member has the chance to advance their career in a rewarding environment.
