Product Manager

Synthomer is a leading supplier of high-performance, highly specialised polymers and ingredients that play vital roles in key sectors such as coatings, construction, adhesives, and health and protection - growing markets that serve billions of end users worldwide. Headquartered in London, UK and publicly listed there since 1971, we employ c.3,900 employees across our 5 innovation centres of excellence and more than 29 manufacturing sites across Europe, North America and Asia. Around 20% of our sales volumes are from new and patent protected products.

At our innovation centres of excellence in the UK, Germany, China, Malaysia and Ohio, USA we collaborate closely with our customers to develop new products and enhance existing ones tailored to their needs, with an increasing range of sustainability benefits. Since 2021, we have been proud holders of the London Stock Exchange Green Economy Mark, which recognises green technology businesses making a significant contribution to a more sustainable, low-carbon economy.

On site - Location, Kingsport TN, or Jefferson Hills, PA

Synthomer is a global manufacturer in the chemical industry, we make a variety of products sold B2B including, formulations for coatings, health care, non-woven fiber bonding, as well as adhesives and applications that address many customer challenges. This role is in the resin and adhesives business. Experience in chemicals and supply chain as well as product development are essential.

Summary

Responsible to define strategic product direction and drive operational results through deliberate management of the portfolio and product mix, which includes quality, regulatory, and supply chain cost activities. Ensures maximum return on assets and supports variable margin delivery for the business. Develops and executes pricing and contract strategy. Continuously monitors the behavior of the offer and influences business decisions using effective analytics, customer-centric recommendations, and product expertise.

Job Responsibilities

• Develops, communicates, and executes pricing strategy, manages profitability metrics, and identifies variable margin improvement opportunities at an order, customer, market segment, application, geography, and product level while ensuring quotes are provided quickly and consistently.
• Develops mass price change strategies for pricing analyst implementation.
• Monitors, considers, and communicates changing competitive activities including supply and demand and market activity, competitive cost curves, and trade flow information to influence price band modeling.
• Develops price forecast for Integrated Business Planning and review/adjust pricing actions to close gaps in monthly financial performance to expectations. Collaborate action plan as needed with Marketing and Sales.
• Manages contract and incentive processes including providing input to developing strategy, creating key principles document, and partnering with Business Leadership Team and Sales to implement.
• Responsible for the management of the product portfolio as assigned, which includes both strategic and operational oversight, including lifecycle, formula rationalization, and product obsolescence (discontinuation or inactivation).
• Utilizes product portfolio lifecycle analysis approach and analyzes Win / Loss data to make insight-based product decisions for greater optimization.
• Leads competitive intelligence efforts involving business, sales, strategy, pricing, manufacturing, and technology; includes gathering, constructing, synthesizing, and analyzing key competitors and products including assets, capacities, utilization, cost base and strategies. Recommend actions to defend and grow market volume and maximize margin.
• Manages force majeure activities and allocation decisions.
• Monitors and communicates changing competitive asset activities including supply and demand modeling, market share, and conclusions.
• Leads and collaborates with cross-functional groups to produce and procure the product, including manufacturing, quality, supply chain and technology on projects related to asset strategy development, inventory management, product specifications, complaints, and qualification strategies.
• Facilitates commercialization for new products, end markets, applications, and different geographical locations to ensure successful launch or entry.
• Manages asset allocation and product sampling throughout all stages of product lifecycle (e.g. stage-gate, supply chain).
• Oversees enforcement of product quality, customer specification requirements, and regulatory commitments.
• Ensure S&OP plans are managed in alignment with product strategies. Initiate actions to address variances, maximize value.
• Determines how to communicate critical inputs (e.g. quality specs, customer preferences) to manufacturing in order to meet market demand and support integrated Business Planning.
• Defines how much and what type of business to contract, coordinates contract volume commitments based on product/asset utilization with Pricing Manager/Analyst.
• Supports Market Leader in responding to customer inquiries.
• Serve on a Stage Gate Project and/or member of a segment team (as requested).

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Marketing, Finance or similar field.
• Minimum 5 years' professional work experience in a supply chain, procurement, sales and/or product management role (or combination thereof). Chemical industry experience preferred.
• Strong financial and global business acumen, including relevant industry knowledge.
• Self-motivated with a strong drive, determination and target-oriented mindset.
• A mission-driven, team player with the desire to make an impact and difference.
• Ability to plan and manage at both strategic and operational levels.
• Full commitment to business integrity, customer value, teamwork, innovation, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I).
• Must be able to interact and communicate professionally and effectively across functions and all levels within the organization.
• Strong problem solving, critical thinking and analytical capabilities.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and presentation skills (both written and verbal).
• High level of proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel.

Global Benefits Overview

• Competitive, market-aligned compensation
• Discretionary global bonus scheme
• Discretionary Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) - for senior positions
• Company car or car allowance - varies by region and role
• Healthcare - tailored to regional locations
• Parental leave and family support - maternity, paternity, adoption (aligned with regional policies)

• Working options - flexibility where it matters, based on role and business needs

• Learning & development opportunities - training, online platforms, buddy/mentorship programs, Internal Synthomer University with L&D offers
• Wellbeing support - employee assistance program (EAP), mental health resources, wellbeing initiatives
• Retirement / pension contributions - plans vary by country
• Culture of Inclusion - where everyone can thrive
• Performance culture, global reward & recognition programmes