Job Description

We supply the sustainable and innovative paints and coatings that our customers, communities - and the environment - are increasingly relying on. Our world class portfolio of brands - including Dulux, International, Sikkens and Interpon - is trusted by customers around the globe. We\'re active in more than 150 countries and have set our sights on becoming the global industry leader. It\'s what you\'d expect from a pioneering paints company that\'s committed to science-based targets and is taking genuine action to address globally relevant challenges and protect future generations.

For more information please visit www.akzonobel.com.

\xc2\xa9 2023 Akzo Nobel N.V. All rights reserved.

Key Accountabilities

Works with Senior Product Managers to manage product & service portfolios, delivering NPI and product needs in alignment with segment plans - assesses range profitability in order to execute range actions and contributes towards development and creation of value proposition proposals for products.

Key Activities

\xc2\xb7 Manages and strengthens the product & service portfolio (introduction/integration/deletion), considering global strategy and market trends
\xc2\xb7 Ensures that the product ranges are relevant for the customer needs and product information is maintained and up to date - delivers against the NPI and range requirements to deliver segment concepts through project management of product portfolio
\xc2\xb7 Drives distinctiveness for AkzoNobel products versus competitors in the minds of our customers ensuring this by matching the customer needs better than competitors
\xc2\xb7 Actively manages products as a portfolio according to Integrated Business Planning guidelines (such as new product introduction, product obsolescence, rationalization, etc.) - working withsegment teams to develop product and services to deliver against winning concepts
\xc2\xb7 Responsible for proactive management of the range in order to deliver the profitability goals of the business, creating clear understanding of range, pipeline and key profitability drivers
\xc2\xb7 Maintains and manages the product & service ranges by customer to ensure compliance to specification set by each manufacturer or market
\xc2\xb7 Participates in Integrated Business Planning process to inform progress on key projects
\xc2\xb7 Proactively identifies and acts on opportunities for (global) technology/range harmonization
\xc2\xb7 Acts as Project Manager for new product development projects, including coordinating the business case creation with Sales and R&D - contributes where required to other projects to share experience
\xc2\xb7 Ensures effective planning, communication and progress of new product development and launches into the market
\xc2\xb7 Benchmarks competitors\' portfolio offerings compared to AkzoNobel portfolio
\xc2\xb7 Creates convincing sales arguments for products including competitive comparisons
\xc2\xb7 Coordinates and supports roll-out on market level with the relevant stakeholders (incl. pricing)
\xc2\xb7 Provides ideas for product positioning to broader product management community
\xc2\xb7 Strong driver to procurement organization to ensure full cost leverage is delivered in terms of RM costs
\xc2\xb7 Prepares material for senior product manager to review and approve with regards to contributing to creation of value propositions for customer segments
\xc2\xb7 Adheres to established brand strategies to ensure optimal product positioning and value creation
o Provides product branding / naming guidance in coordination with BU segment manager
o Provides input for tradeshows / events as required
o Participate in new literature and collateral development with communications manager

.

\xc2\xb7 Acts as a key liaison to R&D:
o Regularly reviews with regional lab teams to manage global and regional technical activity with respect to Stage-Gate NPI, extension of end-use and LWR\'s
\xc2\xb7 Acts as a key liaison to sales:
o Ensures that relevant product information is provided to the sales team and maintained up to date
o Close dialogue with sales team to maintain feedback about product performance and market needs
\xc2\xb7 Acts as a key liaison to the region(s):
o Works with the Regional marketing team to optimize the product range such as product introduction, product maintenance and improvement, market scope extension, repositioning, value engineering and rationalization
o Provide meaningful product portfolio briefings on regional level or input for briefings on global level for the Communication Department and technical training development team
o Works with ISC commercialization to manager Regional Supply Issues Relabeling, inventory monitoring, stock outs, etc.
o Monitoring of Regional product complaints in the region activation of product recall notifications to the market
\xc2\xb7 Runs cost to serve analysis to develop deeper understanding about the customers and related profitability
\xc2\xb7 Contributes to the creation of best practices in product management through the organization
\xc2\xb7 Works closely with RD&I, ISC, procurement and other functions to ensure products are made available at the right place and at the right cost - provide insight and opportunities for cost improvement through their knowledge
\xc2\xb7 Develops symbiotic relationship with ISC commercialization team to ensure deliver through manufacturing network
\xc2\xb7 Works with analytical team to ensure proactive actions are taken to manage profitability at customer/SKU level and
\xc2\xb7 Be familiar with all applicable corporate and site policies/procedures with regard to personal conduct, HSE standards and always in compliance with all applicable regulations

Experience

\xc2\xb7 University degree in in Marketing, Business Administration, Economics, Chemistry or another related field
\xc2\xb7 Working experience in commercial environment with good understanding of business area
\xc2\xb7 Ideally experience in more than 1 area of marketing and/or sales
\xc2\xb7 Some work experience in a tech/tech service role is an advantage
\xc2\xb7 Analytical mind with good financial acumen
\xc2\xb7 Demonstrates strong performance orientation
\xc2\xb7 Showcase organizational acumen
\xc2\xb7 Solid interpersonal and influencing ability
\xc2\xb7 Constraint breaking and solution focused, capability to work with matrix organisation with people in different reporting lines and focus on alignment with other functions

At AkzoNobel we are highly committed to ensuring an inclusive and respectful workplace where all employees can be their best self. We strive to embrace diversity in a context of tolerance. Our talent acquisition process plays an integral part in this journey, as setting the foundations for a diverse environment. For this reason we train and educate on the implications of our Unconscious Bias in order for our TA and hiring managers to be mindful of them and take corrective actions when applicable. In our organization, all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age or disability.

Requisition ID: 35214

AkzoNobel