About the position
The Product Manager provides leadership in strategic product marketing (market views, segmentation, and multi-generational product planning) and platform definition for Avient's products. This individual is a thought leader who performs independently and has demonstrated the ability to effectively interact and influence peers and the next level up in organizations (Avient and Customer).
Responsibilities
- Deliver profitable growth.
- Achieve gross margin targets as a percentage of sales.
- Expand gross margin percentage.
- Grow vitality index.
- Meet vitality GM targets.
- Launch new products.
- Engage customers and the business leveraging key tools such as situational analysis, sales & marketing plans, the POL process, EVE tools, the pricing quote tool, marcom resources, effective product launch kits, etc.
- Ensure that product introductions support the specialization strategy and meet the launch requirements of the POL process.
- Monitor business results and update Strategic Plan in conjunction with management in each region.
- Establish clear measurement and management of product profitability and proactive management of product mix.
- Generate and monitor effectiveness of sales campaigns, advertising programs, and technical literature.
- Analyze product sales records and evaluate performance against sales targets.
- Monitor product gross margins and profitability against control standards.
- Review product prices, approve price deviations, discontinue unprofitable products, and implement price increases.
- Develop or review product forecasts for management approval.
- Oversee the development and introduction of new products with sales, research, manufacturing, and distribution.
- Develop technical literature, advertising campaigns, definitions, specifications, and performance standards.
- Coordinate product promotion, technical presentations, and advertising through marketing staff and Marketing Communications.
- Ensure customer and Avient sales personnel receive continuous technical support.
- Conduct executive marketing/sales calls to maintain customer contact and promote sales efforts.
- Work closely with Environmental Health & Safety to ensure products meet regulations.
- Work with production to ensure product availability meets customer needs.
- Attend various trade/organization functions to develop business contacts and gather market information.
- Support and commit to Avient's LSS improvement process.
- Coordinate, support, and participate in the POL process and situational analysis system.
- Develop and implement the strategic marketing direction for the product platforms.
- Create value proposition for the industry focusing on the customer and ensuring product quality and consistency.
- Be responsible for overall gross margin for assigned product lines.
- Take customer and market trends, feedback, and opportunities to create technology focus.
- Drive measurement and tracking activities including market size, market share, and ROI.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Marketing or equivalent experience.
- Master's degree in Business Administration or equivalent experience.
- Cross Functional experience in Budget Management, Leadership, Change Management, Voice of the Customer, Managing Direct Reports.
- Experience in New Product Marketing and Marketing.
- Product Knowledge in Sales & Customer Service.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Access, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SAP Business Warehouse.
- Personal skills in Stress Management, Attention to Detail, Research, Self-Motivation, Training/Mentoring Others, Analytical Skills, Time/Priority Management, Influence, Ability to Multitask, Work Independently, Work on a Team, and Organizational Skills.
