Product Manager, Americas

About Vibrantz Technologies

Vibrantz Technologies (“Vibrantz” or “Company”) is a leading global provider of specialty chemicals and materials solutions whose purpose is to bring color, performance and vibrancy to life. Every day, our employees, the products we make, and our valued customer partnerships are inspired by this purpose.   Serving customers globally, our innovations are trusted in a variety of advanced materials, color solutions and performance coatings applications to enhance the hue, functionality, safety and environmental footprint of everyday consumer products. Our key competencies in particle engineering, glass and ceramic science and color technology enable benefits like more durable vehicles and batteries, easier-to-clean appliances, energy efficient roof tiles and bricks, stronger and more decorative glass, and eco-friendly paints.  Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Vibrantz has over 60 manufacturing facilities and sales offices on six continents and employs roughly 4,000 individuals. We are building a strong, shared culture that is rooted strongly in our six core values that focus on safety, our people, customers, excellence in all we do, environmental stewardship, and integrity, ethics, and trust. And we are intent upon fostering a workplace that engages employees’ heads, hands and - uniquely - their hearts. 

Vibrantz is owned by American Securities, a leading U.S. private equity firm that invests in market-leading North American companies with annual revenue generally ranging from $200 million to $2 billion and/or $50 million to $200 million of EBITDA. American Securities and its affiliates have approximately $23 billion under management and are based in New York with an office in Shanghai. 

For more information, please visit www.vibrantz.com and www.american-securities.com. 

JOB DESCRIPTION

Description

This position will be responsible for the management of the product lines we sell in the Coatings industry within the Americas region, with focus on Colorants/Dispersions, both Architectural and Industrial, as well as Pigments. This role will be responsible for the segment strategy definition and execution, with the ultimate goal of accelerating sales growth and increasing profitability in the region.

The candidate will have deep understanding of market dynamics and needs, used technologies as well as new, coming ones, our value proposition and positioning vs competitors in the segment, our broad product portfolio and technical/commercial advantages, the main market opportunities to focus on, our cost drivers and items impacting efficiency.

Based on the previous the candidate will define the segment strategy working with the Business/Sales and Technical teams to drive sales growth, increase profitability and upgrade customers’ appreciation of our service so that they become loyal to Vibrantz.

Responsible for product portfolio management, product rationalization, new product launches providing technical/commercial content, product and applications training to our Sales teams (and Distributors), key partnership relationships, and a disciplined approach to generating new business opportunities and bringing them to closure by closely working with Business/Sales and Technical.

Key metrics include revenue, profitability, cross selling, and sales across regions successful initiatives, share of wallet capture in key customers, new product launches, new customer developments. This position will work in conjunction with the members of Business/Sales, R&D/Applications, Operations (Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Sourcing, Product Stewardship), Communications.

Major Areas of Responsibility

• Work with all stakeholders to establish, refine, and own the region’s Architectural and Industrial colorants and pigments for Coatings product lines
• Responsible for optimizing the product lines profitability and efficiency (service and working capital metrics)
• Manage product life cycle and utilize a product rationalization process. 
• Project Management. Work collaboratively with Business/Sales, Technical, Supply Chain, Procurement and Operations to achieve desired outcomes.
• Select appropriate and attend Trade Shows to promote products and company, working with Communications
• Collect and compile market and competitive information to become our internal reference in Coatings Americas and an industry reference.
• Work with Communications and Technical to assure promotional materials are aligned with strategies and are accurate
• Lead product promotion efforts.  Work with Sales and Communication in the development and execution of product promotion plans
• Collaborate with Technology to drive product innovation for Vibrantz such that our products offer more value than competitive alternatives
• Work with key stakeholders at strategic customers.  Develop relationships with key customer leadership to engage in alignment of products and future needs
• Support Sales and Customer Support team with product training and recommendations
• Be the go-to person for Architectural and Industrial product related questions
• Work closely with Sales and R&D to see that product changes are developed in line with customer expectations.
• Lead proven understanding of coatings markets with leadership, ability to work externally with key customers, business partners, and key internal stakeholders
• Development of growth plans for new products or innovations inclusive of marketing plans and pricing strategy including all pricing, promotion, SoW, and positioning
• Responsible for effective communication of product discontinuation / replacement with key customers in a fashion that results in acceptable customer satisfaction and continued partnership
• Track, analyze and report status of Coatings Americas opportunities thru Sales Force.
   

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in technical field (Engineering, Chemistry, Physics,...), preferred; Bachelor's degree in Marketing or Business could be considered instead if the candidate brings long experience in B2B of technical products,
• 3+ years direct B2B technical marketing or technical sales experience,
• 2+ years in a strategic marketing role, preferred.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

General office environment and operation of computer and office equipment, e.g. fax, copier, scanner.

The physical demands and working conditions are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Vibrantz Technologies Inc. (“Vibrantz”) is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. Vibrantz strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex, gender, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Location

Mayfield Heights, OH

Vibrantz is committed to protecting your privacy. We provide a Website Privacy Policy located on our Vibrantz.com site to explain the type of information we collect and to inform you of the specific practices and guidelines that protect the security and confidentiality of your personal data. Please read that policy carefully. If any term in the policy is unacceptable to you, please do not use the Website or provide any personal data. This policy may change from time to time (see Revisions to Our Privacy Policy on Vibrantz.com).

Vibrantz Technologies Inc. (“Vibrantz”) is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. Vibrantz strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex, gender, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.