Product Manager, MBS

Basic Function

Purpose of the role is to develop and execute the product line(s) strategy for the MBS Additives/Black/White/BTF/Fillers Business in AFMEI to restore the base and drive focused growth in the target market segments by focusing on value creation, accelerate strategy execution, and excel at managing the complexities of APS. The product line strategy is including an in depth assessment of customer needs, market trends, competitive environment, value chain dynamics and players and assessing what the alternative strategies could be and in making the final choice for an action oriented strategy that drives profitable growth. This also includes direction on specific customers and OEMs we should target and build partnerships with, what Product Market Applications we should target, translating this into product portfolio requirements and innovation projects, value based pricing strategy, Channels to market, and our value proposition driving or MarCom initiatives. The cross functional team (Sales, NBD, TS, PAD) then drives this plan with clear strategic priorities and enablers into execution and creates a robust project growth funnel with a revenue, margin plan that aligns with each business goals (Value Enhancement Program).

Roles & Responsibilities

•    Develops together with team the strategy for the product line MBS Additives/Black/White/BTF/Fillers. 
•    Identifies customer needs, market trends, competitive environment, value chain assessment of applications that are attractive for APS to target and through this understanding develops strategic options for how we can create value, including new Business Models to apply. Develops Roadmap for Sustainability in MBS for specific Product line.
•    Defines where we want to play (who we target, who we partner with) and the value propositions we would want to develop (applications we target) and together with innovation team creates concepts of our targeted offerings (solutions) .
•    Builds together with team a growth funnel and manages a stage gate process in driving them to commercialization. 
•    Works with Sales team to ensure smooth hand over of commercialized business
•    Together with Sales and NBD develops a target list of Key Accounts and OEM’s/Brand Owners and builds relationships and networks across the targeted segment value chain to obtain market intelligence.  
•    Develops and implement -MarCom strategies including sales tools
•    Together with Business managers develops a Value Based pricing strategy for sustainable solutions capturing a premium over our existing solutions
•    Collaborates with Sales, New Business Development to align on strategy 
•    Evaluates competitive environment and assess impact of significant developments on business
•    Controls budget within agreed upon limits
•    Develops, motivates and mobilizes team to work safe and to deliver results
•    Build dash board and KPI for monitoring success of Market Segment strategy execution (examples are: NPV of growth funnel, projected EBITDA by year,  cumulative EBITDA since start of team)

Min. Qualifications

Education

• Bachelors/Masters, Engineering (Polymer, chemical), Sciences (Chemistry)  
• Additional qualification in business/project management is preferred 

Work Experience 

• 7-10 years of experience in diverse range of technical, business and/or commercial roles, business development and project management experience, as well as exposure to consumer or industrial industry
• Has a track record of successfully driving growth 
• Has experience in driving complex collaborative growth project with customers often including teams on each sides and with steering team between the companies

Area of Expertise, Requirements 

•    Has some level industry knowledge in the APS products and markets and strong strategic thinker
•    Background in Polymer, Masterbatch, Compounding, and/or Packaging businesses
•    Background in driving growth projects with customers from concept to commercialization that has a strong technical involvement and often requires a team approach
•    Committed to ensuring and implement highest safety and ethics policies and standards
•    Can interface at very senior levels at customers as well as engage with technical leaders (although will have APS application experts to support) 
•    Can build strong teams
•    Has experience in strategic marketing
•    Experience in manage and prioritize a portfolio of project activities. Not being afraid of killing projects as needed.  Knows the concepts of stage gate process and can build a disciplined management process.
•    Understand how to leverage product/application developments across OEMs/brand owner/ regions