Director-Business Management

SUMMARY

The Polyethylene Business Director is a key member of the Polyethylene SBU leadership team with a focus on maximizing the profitability of the SBU while playing a leading role in driving the execution of the long-term business plan and SBU strategy.  Additionally, the Business Director prioritizes the end-use market focus areas, product development, and stewards pricing for the PE business segments.  A key understanding of macro issues such as global outlook and competitive threats and opportunities for the business are critical to success.  The Business Director leads the efforts of the Product Management, S&OP and Marketing teams to ensure alignment for the 0-90 days and 1-5 year strategic horizon of the business.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

May include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assist in the preparation and execution of the long-term business plan.

• Develop annual business plan to include sales and market forecasts, key issues, business objectives, alternative strategies, and their implication for profitability, growth, plant capacity, research efforts, product and process developments, etc.

• Direct and supervise PE S&OP Team to ensure inventory targets and supply chain functions align with business goals

• Direct and supervise product line Business/Product Managers to optimize asset utilization and drive strategic product growth across all assets and in alignment with overall Polyethylene SBU goals

• Direct and supervise Marketing and Market Development Team to ensure branding and key market support align with and support the long-term business strategy.

• Steward Sustainability efforts for the Polyethylene SBU

• Participate in development of the forward view for the business, including threats and opportunities. 

• Manage market segment focus areas and product grade slate offerings to ensure maximum contribution margin and manufacturing capabilities are achieved

• Manage market research analyses to ensure the necessary quantitative and qualitative data for plant expansion, product and market development, diversification and acquisitions are provided.

• Assist in developing sales strategy, grade slate and customer mix decisions, including contracting and pricing to ensure maximum profit margin for the business. 

• Collaborate and play a leadership role with functional groups (Sales, TS&D, Manufacturing, R&D, Logistics, Customer Service and Purchasing) to ensure alignment with strategy and provide high quality sales, marketing, and manufacturing support.

• Steward business performance vs. plan to identify variations from plans and forecasts in areas such as market growth, competitive activity, sales volume, price and value, product profitability, etc., and implement the necessary corrective action. 

• Steward business performance vs industry benchmarks to ensure optimum performance and close gaps relative to competitor performance.

• Direct reports include S&OP Manager, LDPE Business Manager, LLDPE Product Manager, Marketing Manager, PE Product Specialist.

• Any additional responsibilities as assigned.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• BS in Business or Technical area with aptitude and understand a business management model with a minimum of 15 years industry experience.  Prior experience in polymer manufacturing, sales, and commercial leadership highly preferred.

• Team skills are a high priority, working within the business, as well as with most of Westlake’s functional areas.    

• Knowledge of polymers products, markets, competitors, and applications. 

• Ability to integrate sales, manufacturing, quality and technical requirements to develop a value-added product mix. 

• Knowledge of extrusion and molding applications and requirements. 

• Knowledge of market research, programs and systems, and effective selling techniques.  Excellent verbal and written communication skills and strong customer relation skills.  

• Knowledge of computer applications and appropriate business software.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While 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. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The 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.  Up to 20% travel including air travel or auto travel may occasionally be required.