Platform Manager, Marketing, NA Beauty

Platform Manager, Airless and Fragrance
NA Beauty
Location: Cary or Eatontown Hybrid (~2-3 days in office)
Reports to:  Director, Marketing

Position Summary
The Platform Manager, Airless and Fragrance is responsible for the overall management of assigned product lines, including the overall platform profitability, innovation pipeline development and execution, and commercial development and activation.   The Platform Manager owns the platform performance and commercialization for the region and is responsible for developing the platform strategy and optimizing the portfolio life cycle.  This individual is the expert on customer and competitive intelligence and consumer insights for the platform space.  
Key measure of success: incremental sales and profits of existing products in assigned product lines in Region.
 

Job Elements

• Manages platform profitability and rationalization:
• Develops Platform strategies for assigned existing product lines, considering total product life cycle viewpoint.  Develops & drives recommendations for capacity management, product rationalization, cost optimization and platform enhancements to drive growth and profitability.  Leads the preparation and completion of business cases to support additional investments.
• Reviews and recommends list pricing using financial and market data for all products in assigned platform(s).  
• Responsible for facilitating the ongoing cost improvement for Platform. With operations, engineering, supply chain and purchasing team members, facilitate the development and execution of a cost savings plan.   
• Responsible for platform rationalization. With Sales and appropriate Technical and Customer Service support, execute approved plans to ensure commercial success and long-term profitability.
• Manages H1 and some H2 innovation projects and Informs Global Innovation pipeline decisions
• With Global Platform leader, identifies market and consumer trends impacting relevant products. Initiates needed platform line extensions, evolutionary or revolutionary new products, incorporating enhancements reflecting market/consumer demands as well as operational financial needs.  
• Leads and develops the business case, including managing the development plan for new projects. Using the Stage Gate process, drives and directs the design through to product approval and market acceptance with Center of Expertise or Regional Technical Team. Provide value positioning to Sales.
• Manages platform activation and commercial development:
• Owns and monitors the performance of the platform: Sales, Pricing, Competitive Advantage, Market Shares (accountable for AMIT accuracy, Share of Launches)
• Together with the Sales team, defines best customer opportunities (C4C proactive management) and tracks implementation of sales attack plans
• Provides final approval on pricing proposals, with necessary inputs/approvals as defined by Pricing Policy.   Provides market insights to support pricing. Leverage quote opportunities with creative solutions to win profitable new business.
• Support Customer meetings to deliver value proposition and insights regarding Platform technologies.  Create value propositions, communicate, and build understanding.
• Conduct ongoing analysis of competitors’ products and services to identify strategic opportunities.
• Work with creative support personnel to develop strategic promotional plans and training tools as needed for product lines and enhancements including input to the website. .

Required Qualifications

Education         
•    Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Finance, Business, or Engineering required.  MBA a plus.
 
Experience
•    Minimum of 5 years marketing experience in a product line management capacity within beauty or packaging industry, preferred; otherwise 10 years experience in other manufacturing industry
•    People or project management experience preferred

 Skills/Abilities
•    Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail; strong problem solving and decision-making skills.
•    Recognized ability to lead and drive decision making without direct authority.
•    Excellent oral and written communication skills demonstrated by the ability to communicate across all levels within and outside of the organization.
•    Works well under deadline pressures; ability to prioritize and manage multiple and conflicting priorities.
•    Ability to think strategically as well as deal with day-to-day issues.
•    Persuasive negotiator able to work across disciplines.
•    Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office products.
•    Technical understanding of molding, and multiple component assembly processes and or knowledge of the aerosol products market is a plus.
 
Travel