Job DescriptionThe Senior Product Specialist assists in the leadership of effective strategic product marketing (market views, segmentation, and multigenerational product planning) and platform definition for Avient's products and positioning with minimal direction required and demonstrated ability to interact and influence at the managerial peer level.
ResponsibilitiesEssential Duties & Responsibilities The purpose of the Marketing Function is to deliver:
- Profitable growth.
- Gross margin targets as a percentage of sales.
- Gross margin percentage expansion.
- Vitality index growth.
- Vitality GM targets.
- New product launches.
- Engagement of 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.
- Monitors effectiveness of sales campaigns, advertising programs and technical literature. Ensures products sales records are analyzed and performance is evaluated against sales targets. Monitors product gross margins and profitability against control standards. Reviews product prices, approves price deviations, discontinues unprofitable products, and implements price increases.
- Oversees the development and introduction of new products with sales, research, manufacturing, and distribution. Develops technical literature, advertising campaigns, definitions, specification, and performance standards. Develops, reviews and coordinates product promotion, technical presentations, and advertising through marketing staff and Marketing Communications.
- Ensures customer and Avient sales personnel receive continuous technical support in the form of up-to-date product application technology, training, and problem solving. Develops contacts with major customers and suppliers.
- Works closely with Environmental Health & Safety to ensure products meet local, state, and federal/country regulations.
- Works with production to ensure product availability meets customer needs.
- Attends various trade/organization functions to develop business contacts and gather market information.
- Supports and is committed to Avient's LSS improvement process. Plans strategies to ensure error-free work and conveys this attitude in the daily performance of various duties.
- Coordination, support, and participation in the POL process and the situational analysis system.
- Develop and implement the strategic marketing direction for the product platforms.
- Creates value proposition for the industry, focusing on the customer and ensuring product quality and consistency.
- Responsible for overall gross margin for assigned product lines. Assists the organization in accelerating growth market expansion.
- Takes customer and market trends, feedback, and opportunities to create technology focus.
- Drives measurement and tracking activities including market size, market share, and ROI.
Scope- Personnel: Individual contributor.
- Budget: None.
- Sales revenue: Business unit specific.
QualificationsBachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Engineering, Chemistry, or a related field preferred, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Typically 1- 5+ years of experience in product management, technical sales, marketing, customer support, or a related role, preferably within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of assigned products, applications, markets, and customer requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to serve as a subject matter expert, providing product guidance and technical support to customers, sales teams, and internal stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate customer needs, product performance, market information, and business opportunities.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and projects independently while meeting deadlines.
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively across Sales, Marketing, Operations, Technical, and Customer Service teams.
