Headhunter for Chemicals & Process Industry: precision for Germany’s most complex sector
As an experienced headhunter for the chemical industry we fill leadership and specialist positions at speciality chemicals companies, chemical groups, pharmaceutical firms and life sciences businesses — discreetly, with regulatory depth and 25 years of industry network from Düsseldorf.
Six-month placement guarantee: If a placed candidate leaves the company within the first six months, we run the search again at no additional fee — no ifs, no buts.
Chemicals recruiting: why this industry needs specialised headhunting
The chemical industry is one of Germany’s most innovative and, at the same time, most regulated sectors. According to the VCI (German Chemical Industry Association) the sector generates annual revenues of more than 220 billion euros with around 580,000 employees — and depends on highly specialised professionals and managers like almost no other industry.
The challenges are considerable: decarbonisation, green chemistry, PFAS regulation and the transformation of production processes call for leaders who master innovation and regulatory certainty at the same time. Those profiles are not found on job boards.
As a specialised headhunter for the chemical industry based in Düsseldorf with more than 25 years of network in the process industry, we find exactly these personalities. VCI data on the chemical industry shows that demand for regulatory-literate leaders and R&D specialists considerably exceeds available supply.
What industry-specific recruiting gains you
- Regulatory assessment: REACH, GMP, GLP, ATEX — we assess candidates at eye level with your compliance department
- Hidden market: Highly specialised chemists and process experts are reachable almost exclusively through direct approach
- Anonymised profiling: In a closely connected industry we protect your name until both sides explicitly agree to disclosure
- Shortlist in 4–6 weeks instead of months of waiting through a conventional job advertisement
- Six-month guarantee: One fee-free repeat search — we take responsibility for the success of the placement
- VCI network: Close cooperation with member companies of the German Chemical Industry Association
Executive search & direct approach in the chemical industry
As a specialised recruitment consultants for the chemical industry based in Düsseldorf, we support corporations and mid-sized companies in filling roles that combine technical excellence, regulatory knowledge and leadership.
Executive search chemicals & pharma
Filling strategic leadership roles at chemical groups, speciality chemicals companies and pharmaceutical firms — from plant management to C-suite mandates, discreetly and with a placement guarantee.
To direct searchSpecialist recruiting & regulatory
Targeted direct search for highly specialised chemists, process engineers and regulatory experts. We fill profiles with REACH, GMP and toxicology backgrounds — the scarcest talent in the industry.
To specialist searchTechnical profiling & diagnostics
Multimodal aptitude diagnostics focused on regulatory competence, leadership potential and cultural fit. In a research-driven industry, selection must not be left to chance.
To aptitude diagnosticsThe chemical industry: our sub-markets and segments
As a specialised chemicals headhunter we cover the entire chemical value chain — from petrochemicals and speciality chemicals through to life sciences and pharma.
Filling leadership and expert roles at manufacturers of tailor-made chemical solutions, synthesis chemicals and performance materials. Focus on innovation, complex synthesis routes and customer-specific development.
Recruiting for capital-intensive base chemicals: process engineers, process optimisation specialists and plant managers for refineries, crackers and integrated production sites.
Specialists at the interface of chemistry, biology and health: regulatory affairs experts (GMP/ICH), heads of quality management and development managers for active ingredients and medical products.
Which chemicals profiles we find for you
Decarbonisation, digitalisation of production and tighter regulation are fundamentally reshaping requirement profiles in the chemical industry. As a chemicals recruiter we fill the roles that actively shape this transformation.
The chemical industry accounts for roughly 5 per cent of German CO₂ emissions. Leaders for decarbonisation projects, power-to-X technologies and green hydrogen are in high demand.
Digital twins, process mining, AI-supported quality control and predictive maintenance are transforming chemical production. Experts who bridge process engineering and data are scarce.
Tighter REACH regulation, the EU PFAS restriction and new chemicals ordinances are creating substantial demand for regulatory-literate experts.
Fermentation technology, enzymatic synthesis and biological drug production are growing fast. Demand for biotech chemists with GMP experience is rising accordingly.
Chemicals recruiting in five steps: precision and discretion
In a closely connected industry, discretion and regulatory depth matter at every stage. Our structured approach gives you certainty throughout the process.
We analyse your business objectives and define precise requirement profiles — including technical parameters, regulatory requirements (REACH, GMP, ATEX) and the cultural environment of the role.
Targeted direct approach in the hidden chemicals job market. We use our network of top performers in speciality chemicals, petrochemicals and life sciences.
In-depth interviews assess technical excellence, regulatory know-how and cultural fit, with particular attention to experience with REACH, GMP and process safety.
Presentation of an exclusive, hand-picked selection of candidates with detailed competence and regulatory profiles, plus support through negotiation and decision-making.
Aftercare during the integration phase. A fee-free repeat search if the placement leaves within the first six months — our quality promise to the chemical industry.
Focus positions in the chemical industry: from the laboratory to the executive board
As a specialised headhunter for the chemical industry we fill key positions along the entire chemical value chain — with regulatory depth and genuine market knowledge.
- Managing director
- Plant manager / site manager
- Technical director / CTO
- Head of operations / COO
- Head of HR
- Production manager / operations manager
- Process engineer
- Instrumentation & control engineer
- Maintenance manager
- HSE manager / occupational safety
- Head of R&D
- Laboratory manager / chief scientist
- REACH expert / regulatory affairs
- Head of quality management (GMP)
- Toxicologist / safety officer
- Head of sales
- Area sales manager chemicals
- Technical sales / key account
- Product manager speciality chemicals
- Business Development Manager
The position you are looking for is not listed?
Enquire discreetlyYour personal headhunter for chemicals and the process industry
Jan Bohlken
For more than 25 years Jan Bohlken has supported companies in the chemical and process industries, in pharmaceuticals and life sciences as well as in mechanical engineering with filling critical key positions — from regulatory specialists through to managing directors.
As a specialised recruitment consultant for the chemical industry based in Düsseldorf, he knows the complexity of chemical production processes, the demands of international regulatory frameworks and the people who master both.
„Quality in chemicals consulting means finding personalities who combine innovation with regulatory certainty.“
Discretion and excellence: what the chemical industry expects from us
Excellent recruiting in the process industry rests on deep technical understanding, regulatory knowledge and absolute confidentiality.
Maximum discretion
In a closely connected industry, confidentiality is not a bonus but a duty. First approaches are made without naming your company.
Regulatory depth
We assess candidates on REACH conformity, GMP experience, toxicology knowledge and process safety expertise — at the level of your own specialists.
Transparent reporting
Regular project reporting on search status, honest exchange at eye level and full traceability at every stage.
Frequently asked questions about headhunting in the chemical industry
Answers on executive search, direct search and recruitment consulting in the chemical and process industries.
Unlike conventional recruiting, we rely on active direct search. We do not wait for applications but identify and contact top talent directly in the hidden job market — with particular attention to regulatory and technical depth.
Thanks to our actively maintained network in the process industry, we usually present the first qualified shortlist within four to six weeks. The final placement including contract signature takes on average 0 days. In addition you have our six-month placement guarantee with a fee-free repeat search.
Yes, that is one of our core competencies. Regulatory affairs, REACH conformity, GMP/GLP management and toxicology expertise are among the most sought-after and scarcest profiles in the chemical industry. We have a network built specifically for them.
Yes. Should a candidate placed by us leave the company within the first six months we carry out one repeat search free of charge. This guarantee is our quality promise — we take responsibility for the outcome.
The chemical industry is closely connected, which makes discretion especially important. First approaches are made anonymously , without naming your company. Sensitive information is passed on only after explicit agreement from both sides.
We work with fixed service fees rather than on a contingency basis. The total fee is 25 to 33 per cent of the gross annual target salary and is invoiced in three parts: on assignment, on presentation of the shortlist and on contract signature. Aptitude diagnostics are included, as is a six-month placement guarantee.
Check four points: does the consultant know your target companies by name or only the industry? Can they name placements at a comparable level? Do they work exclusively, so your vacancy does not appear several times in the market? And does the senior you speak to run the assignment personally?
The terms are often used interchangeably. Recruitment consulting is the broader term and also covers advertisement-based search, aptitude diagnostics and advice on people strategy. Headhunting describes the method of direct approach. We offer both and recommend whichever suits the position.
Our expertise covers speciality chemicals, fine chemicals, petrochemicals, agrochemicals, plastics and polymers as well as life sciences and pharma. We fill positions along the entire chemical value chain — from laboratory technician to managing director, from REACH expert to plant manager.
Bohlken Consulting also opens doors for highly qualified candidates that are not visible on the open job market. If you are a chemist, regulatory expert, production manager or executive in the chemical industry planning your next step discreetly, talk to us in confidence. We know the vacancies at chemical groups and speciality chemicals companies before they are advertised.
More industry expertise from Bohlken Consulting
Ready for your next key appointment in the chemical industry?
Finding regulatory-literate leaders and highly specialised chemistry experts takes more than a job portal. Talk to your headhunter for chemicals and the process industry in Düsseldorf — discreet, without obligation, at eye level.