M&A Activity in Specialty Chemicals: What It Means for Talent
In recent years, mergers and acquisitions have become a defining feature of the specialty chemicals industry. From coatings and additives to life sciences and advanced materials, companies are actively reshaping their portfolios through acquisitions, divestitures, and strategic combinations.
While headlines often focus on deal size and synergies, the real story unfolds behind the scenes: the impact of M&A on people, leadership, and critical expertise.
M&A Activity in Specialty Chemicals:
What It Means for Talent
In recent years, mergers and acquisitions have become a defining feature of the specialty chemicals industry. From coatings and additives to life sciences and advanced materials, companies are actively reshaping their portfolios through acquisitions, divestitures, and strategic combinations.
While headlines often focus on deal size and synergies, the real story unfolds behind the scenes: the impact of M&A on people, leadership, and critical expertise.
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Hot Jobs!
Managing Director: Personal Care
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Critical leadership position
- Commercial P&L responsibility
- Transformational growth
- Contact Jeff Bennett: (470) 419-4164 jeff@boazpartners.com
Managing Director: Pharmaceuticals
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Critical leadership position
- Commercial P&L responsibility
- Transformational growth
- Contact Jeff Bennett: (470) 419-4164 jeff@boazpartners.com
Plant Manager
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Site leadership role
- Industry segment leader
- Chemical or Mechanical Engineering degree
- Private equity owned company
- Midwest: rural area
- Contact Ricky Foster: (470) 705-0128 ricky@boazpartners.com
Business Development Manager
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Focused on clients in Aerospace and DoD channels
- 5-10 Years of experience
- Ownership of customer relationships
- Technical background
- Organization has 75+ years in business
- Market leading technology
- Southeast
- Contact Ricky Foster: (470) 705-0128 ricky@boazpartners.com
Senior Process Engineer
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Thermoset Plastics Manufacturer
- SMC, tooling, or other press molding emphasis
- Advanced Materials industry
- Lead for new product launches
- Contact Josh Fowee: (470) 410-8220 josh@boazpartners.com
Quality Engineer
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Manufacturing background
- Thermal management
- Advanced materials industry
- Operates within ISO & IATF QMC environment
- Contact Josh Fowee: (470) 410-8220 josh@boazpartners.com
Account Manager: Composites
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Demonstrated ability to sell technical products and manage a sales territory or key accounts
- Solid understanding of polymer types (thermosets, thermoplastics, elastomers) and their use in composites
- Experience selling into specific composite markets such as aerospace, automotive, leisure, marine, or construction.
- Remote with about 50% travel required
- Must be located West of the Mississippi
- Experience selling to customers using a wet layup process to produce composite parts
- Private company that has been around since the 70s
- Uncapped commission
- Contact Robbie Villemarette: (470) 568-4888 robbie@boazpartners.com
The SOCMA Show 2026
The SOCMA Show is next week! Be on the lookout for Managing Director Wes Washington, Associate Partners & Specialty Chemical Team Lead Jeff Bennett, and Search Executive David Ferguson. Did you know that Boaz Partners is a SOCMA member?
The benefit of attending this show year after year is that we get to shake hands and meet people in the flesh. Our business is about connecting and nurturing partnerships. With the opportunity to speak with many people in the industry, we not only are able to share talent trends, but also industry knowledge from our discussions. If you would like to set up a time to meet, use the QR code to contact our team!
The SOCMA Show is next week! Be on the lookout for Managing Director Wes Washington, Associate Partners & Specialty Chemical Team Lead Jeff Bennett, and Search Executive David Ferguson. Did you know that Boaz Partners is a SOCMA member?
The benefit of attending this show year after year is that we get to shake hands and meet people in the flesh. Our business is about connecting and nurturing partnerships. With the opportunity to speak with many people in the industry, we not only are able to share talent trends, but also industry knowledge from our discussions. If you would like to set up a time to meet, use the QR code to contact our team!
Unlock our Specialty Chemical eBook
1/3 of the Way Through Q1
ACI took place earlier this month and Jeff Bennett and David Ferguson were in attendance. Here is what they had to say:
The new and bigger ACI is finally in the books. Clients are always asking us what we see and hear in the market, so here are just a few of our takeaways after 51 meetings about the industry and talent.
FORECAST FOR FRICTION – Our meeting with the ACI President began with Jennifer Abril explaining her theme for 2026. While 2025 was a rollercoaster, we now know what to “expect” and we need to embrace the “friction” and plan for it.
STRONG ENDING FOR 2025 – Chemical executives recounted to us that 2025 was a tough year with a strong finish. Most care execs told us December was the best month of the year and that momentum was carrying into the new year, at least so far.
HIRING HAS NOT STOPPED – It was a record year for Boaz Partners, and we shared with executives that while we saw more searches, most of these roles were for top-grading, replacements, or pending retirements. There were few new roles in the uncertainty of 2025, but companies were quick to replace talent with talent and not lose their edge in the market.
Contact Jeff and David to keep the conversation going.
Most Placeable Candidates
MOST PLACEABLE CANDIDATE: An MPC is someone that we have identified in the industry as a highly qualified and placeable candidate. For more information on this kind of talent, contact info@boazpartners.com
MOST PLACEABLE CANDIDATE: An MPC is someone that we have identified in the industry as a highly qualified and placeable candidate. For more information on this kind of talent, contact info@boazpartners.com
Boaz Specialty Chemicals Team
Boaz Specialty Chemicals Team
Founded in Atlanta, Georgia, Boaz Partners is a retained executive recruitment firm providing companies with custom recruiting solutions in the chemicals, plastics, and heavy industrial markets. Our success results from a specialized approach focusing on specific functions, industry, level, and location. Our name “Boaz Partners” refers to Ruth’s husband Boaz in the Old Testament who was known for his swiftness, integrity, and transparency, which provides the pillars of our firm’s service.
Clients and candidates are able to rely on Boaz Partners for our vast industry knowledge and proven search process to reach their hiring goals.
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Boaz Partners, 828 Ralph McGill Blvd NE, #316, Atlanta, GA 30306, United States
KEEP UP WITH US
Boaz Partners, 828 Ralph McGill Blvd NE, #316, Atlanta, GA 30306, United States
