03.03.26

Rochem International Inc. 5 Critical Roles filled in 5 Months

Rochem International Inc. – Senior Sales Leadership Recruitment

Client: Rochem International Inc. – Global distributor of APIs (active pharmaceutical ingredients)
Sector: Human & Animal Health / Pharmaceutical Ingredients
Roles: 4 Senior Sales Positions (VPs/Directors) + 1 additional hire

Background

Rochem International Inc., a global distributor of pharmaceutical ingredients, approached Paragon Talent on 2nd September 2025 following a personal referral. The company had been struggling to fill four senior sales roles across Europe and the US: two in Human Health/API and two in Animal Health. These positions were critical to driving growth through ingredient-level sales to manufacturers, but previous recruitment attempts had failed to deliver candidates with the required experience and networks.

Challenge

Rochem’s key pain points included:

  • Previous recruiters submitted candidates lacking ingredient-level experience, focusing instead on finished products or end-user sales.

  • Vacancies had been open for several months, stretching existing team members and delaying growth initiatives.

  • High-value contracts (£400k/$500k+ annual volume) required candidates with deep manufacturer relationships and commercial acumen.

  • Roles demanded immediate start dates ahead of major industry events such as CPHI Worldwide.

Role Requirements:

  • 12–15+ years of ingredient-level B2B sales experience in Human or Animal Health

  • Proven ability to acquire and grow high-value manufacturing accounts

  • Strong network and track record in targeted sectors

  • Flexibility to work remotely within region, with international travel as required

Approach

Paragon Talent adopted a highly targeted, hands-on recruitment strategy:

  1. Deep Market Mapping: Identified candidates with proven ingredient-level experience across relevant Human and Animal Health sectors.

  2. Strict Screening: Ensured every candidate met Rochem’s must-have criteria, including sales to manufacturers, contract volumes, and network strength.

  3. Transparent Client Collaboration: Shared candidates simultaneously with all key decision-makers to accelerate feedback and decision-making.

  4. Candidate Preparation: Provided interview coaching and insights into Rochem’s culture, selling points, and commercial expectations.

  5. Flexible Offer Management: Managed negotiations and onboarding to align with both candidate expectations and Rochem’s salary, commission, and benefits packages.

Outcome

  • Speed & Efficiency: First position filled in just 41 days; all 4 roles (including 1 additional hire) completed within 5 months.

  • High-Quality Placements:

    • Franck Mellevec – Vice President, Business Development Pharmaceutical

    • Oliver Lotz – Vice President, Animal Health

    • Eloi Coussin – Director, Business Development Pharmaceutical

    • Ryan Ramsey – Director, Sales Animal Health

    • Fabio Moreira – Sales Director, Pharmaceutical

  • Client & Candidate Satisfaction: Positive recommendations highlighted Paragon Talent’s professional, responsive, and transparent approach.

Candidate Recommendations:

“Jamie was an amazing partner in my career evolution. Always available and reactive, he is clever and efficient. I would recommend Jamie for any recruitment project you may have.” – Franck Mellevec

“Throughout the process, communication was clear, transparent, and timely, and I always felt well-prepared and supported at every stage. Jamie brings the combination of professionalism and a personal approach. I am grateful for the guidance and would highly recommend Jamie to any professional considering their next career step or any organization seeking top talent.” – Fabio Moreira

Key Takeaways

  • Specialist market knowledge and precise candidate targeting overcome challenges in niche senior sales recruitment.

  • Transparent collaboration with all stakeholders accelerates decision-making and ensures cultural fit.

  • Combining professionalism with a personal touch strengthens both client and candidate experience.

Result: Rochem now has a full complement of high-calibre sales leadership ready to drive growth in both Human and Animal Health markets, with immediate impact on revenue generation and strategic initiatives.

 


About Paragon Talent

Paragon Talent is a specialist recruitment consultancy connecting high-growth manufacturing businesses with top-tier commercial and technical talent. We focus on senior-level appointments across the Food, Beverage, Flavour, Fragrance, and Pharmaceutical Ingredients sectors. With deep industry knowledge, a global network, and a hands-on, personalised approach, we deliver fast, high-quality recruitment solutions that drive growth, strengthen leadership teams, and create long-term value for both clients and candidates.


 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What types of roles does Paragon Talent specialise in?
A: We focus on senior-level appointments across the Food, Beverage, Flavour, Fragrance, and Pharmaceutical Ingredients sectors, particularly niche and hard-to-fill positions where specialist knowledge and networks are critical.

Q: How does Paragon Talent find top-tier candidates?
A: We use a combination of targeted market mapping, deep sector knowledge, and proactive outreach to both active and passive candidates, ensuring clients have access to the highest-calibre talent.

Q: What makes Paragon Talent different from other recruitment agencies?
A: We combine professionalism with a highly personalised approach, understanding both client business needs and candidate motivations. Our transparency, responsiveness, and industry expertise consistently deliver fast, high-quality results.

Q: How quickly can Paragon Talent fill senior roles?
A: While timing depends on role complexity, our focused methodology and direct access to top talent allow us to significantly reduce time-to-hire compared to traditional recruitment approaches.

Q: How does Paragon Talent ensure a good cultural and commercial fit?
A: Beyond skills and experience, we assess alignment with company culture, commercial acumen, and leadership style, coaching candidates and advising clients to ensure the right match from day one.

Q: What kind of support does Paragon Talent provide throughout the process?
A: We manage the full recruitment lifecycle, from role briefing and candidate identification to interview preparation, offer negotiation, and onboarding support, delivering a seamless experience for both clients and candidates.