Business Specialist - APS

Basic Function

The Advanced Polymer Solutions (APS) business aspires significant growth in the coming years.  The purpose of the Business Specialist– Advanced Polymer Solutions role is to actively support the regional Business Managers with relevant analysis and daily operations, potential ideas for improvements, providing pricing expertise and monitoring of test/results to maximize value for the product line and pursue value-added (new) business. Commercial Excellence through Pricing is identified as a key strategic lever for achieving value growth by implementing more sophisticated pricing strategy at local level.  The Business Specialist will work in close collaboration with other APS Business team members including Sales, Strategy, Supply Chain, TS/PAD and NBD teams.  A successful Business Specialist demonstrates strong skills in spreadsheet handling, analytical ability, written and verbal communication and teamwork.

This position is located in downtown Houston, TX and Akron, OH LYB APS facility. #LI-SN1

Roles & Responsibilities

•    Support Business Managers to track, follow up on new business and development opportunities (via SalesForce.com and Accolade), and define product line pricing strategies as needed.  Provide Business Manager with regular updates on price optimization strategies and tracking of targets.  Assist in implementing potential Business activities targeted to improve APS competitive positioning and perception.
•    Coordinate systematic process for smooth operation on market price changes in an accurate and timely manner, using relevant price set tools. Manage the Request for Quote (RFQ) and Price Deviation Request processes, providing offer price feedback to Sales that is clear and timely.
•    Perform market price trend analysis (by segment, application, region, price basis – formula, freely-negotiated); measure effectiveness of pricing actions, customer willingness to pay and conduct price sensitivity/market elasticity assessments.  Document insights, suggest course correction if required and work closely with Business Managers to realize improvements.
•    Work independently to set pricing and provide quotes to sales up to DOA limits.
•    Present monthly analysis of quotes won/lost, number of quotes, and turnaround time by segment.
•    Drive continuous improvement and analysis tools.  Contribute to the next generation tool development (scalable, global) and participate in project teams related to the enterprise Pricing Excellence journey. 
•    Analyze and work to improve the end-to-end processes using Key Performance Indicators.
•    Implement Business control process. Execute product line monthly/quarterly price and rebate audits for Sarbanes Oxley (SOX) compliance and issue related closure reports for Business.
•    Maintain commercial terms, including price management, for Purchase for Resale materials in purchasing outline agreements facilitating contract management process (under relevant DOA).

Min. Qualifications

•    University or college degree in Business Administration, Economics, Finance or Engineering; minimum bachelor’s degree in sciences
•    Minimum 5 years of industry experience with exposure to the Advanced Polymers Solutions business, a specialty business and/or the automotive industry preferred.
•    Basic IT skills (Microsoft Outlook, Office Word/Excel, SharePoint, Teams, SAP, Salesforce).
•    Strong analytical background, including advanced Excel and data analytical tools e.g. Power BI and Microsoft Access

Preferred Qualifications

•    Team oriented to collaborate with other disciplines and support business objectives and goals.
•    Critical thinking capabilities to assess needs, identify gaps, propose solutions.
•    Results oriented with ability to prioritize, meet deadlines.
•    Customer focused to deliver solutions that meet their needs in a timely manner.
•    Sound business acumen to evaluate alternatives and deliver well-reasoned solutions.
•    Experience in synthesizing insights from substantial amounts of information, including scenario modelling (automate / standardize)
•    Experience in the automotive industry, such as customer interaction, pricing products or supply chain experience
•    Experience managing and administration of pricing and measuring accuracy

Competencies