Product Specialist at Westlake Chemical Corporation in Wayne, Pennsylvania

Job Description:

JOB TITLE: Product Specialist - MunicipalREPORTS TO: Director of Product Management and DevelopmentSUMMARYIncumbent leads the strategy, tactics, and deliverables for the North American Municipal market segments while stewarding the execution of these through effective product management and marketing of the product portfolio and programs.Engage the full channel to understand market needs and drivers to improve efficiency and effectiveness of new and innovative products and services, targeting 'Industry Firsts.'
Access key tools, internal and external relationships, and resources to understand markets, market share, competitive landscape & benchmarking; engage functional partners (e.g., Sales, Technical, Marketing, Supply Chain and Operations) to drive optimal results.
Develop key execution tools to track KPI performance, product line performance and effectiveness of functional engagement with key partners as listed above.
Drive product development projects in support of new business development activities for NAPCO across defined channels.
Drive accountability and manage the overall success of existing and new product lines, as well as defining and tracking sales results for new product launches.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESMay include, but are not limited to, the following:Customer visits - North America and international as warranted to evaluate market needs and opportunities
Facilitate 'owner,' distributor and contractor 'Voice of the Customer' activities
Full product management responsibility for all SKU's for multiple product lines and hundreds of SKU's:Seek product system solutions that address customers' most challenging pipe needs
Monitor competitive product developments and drive competitive benchmarking activities
Product specification review and approval
Assure Agency certifications achieved
Manage and approve all product design changes
Support investigation of field failures and other customer complaints

Lead new product development projects working with Technical and OperationsInvestigate and manage new product development opportunities
Prioritize projects based on strategic importance, ROI and payback
Lead New Product Development Teams, align launch timing with key sales milestones, using detailed project management scheduling to meet dates
Provide detailed financial analyses on all new product and capital procurement decisions
Utilize NAPCO Stage-Gate development process; conduct post launch audits as scheduled

Plan, evaluate and define marketing tactics to achieve strategic goals in product, price, promotion and distribution while providing direction to Marketing personnel.
Develop, maintain and update data including market size, market share, macro-economic drivers and trends, competitive analysis, customer/ channel strategy, product portfolio strategy, pull-through/demand generation activities, target customer value proposition and overall strategic goals and objectives for channel market share, sales and profitability.
Partner with Marketing to support development of annual marketing plan with goal of building affinity and generating leads
Partner with Marketing and Specification Sales representatives to support development of new tools, decision calculators, master specifications and technical comparison guides to support product conversions and new business development opportunities
Support the Pipe Business Unit Management in the exploration of new technologies, new market segments and possible partnership and acquisition opportunities
Work in conjunction with NAPCO sales team to ensure sales objectives are met, marketing programs implemented and strategic goals obtained. Educate sales team on new product features and benefits, sales programs and tools, as well as results of competitive benchmarking activities
Direct market research to execute needed testing and analysis and prepare business analysis as required to support decision making
Support the heads of Marketing, Technical and Operations in developing annual budgets

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONSBachelor's Degree in Marketing or Business; MBA preferred.
Engineering and/or technical background a plus.
5 - 7 years of progressive marketing and specified product management experience.
Demonstrated capability in planning, organizing, integrating and measuring programs and projects; strong problem solving, analytical and computer skills (Windows Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
Must have the ability to work effectively and positively with all organizational levels, be proactive and an innovator
Excellent written and oral communication skills; flexible, able to handle multiple projects at the same time
Ability to travel - approximately 20 - 25%

PHYSICAL DEMANDSWhile performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.WORK ENVIRONMENTThe noise level in the work environment is usually moderate as normally based in an office. Some of the work may be required in the operating units which can require usage of required PPE including safety glasses, hearing protection, etc. May also result in exposure to outside elements and may require usage of stairs and elevators.