Strategic Marketing Manager, Celgard

The Asahi Kasei Group operates with a commitment of creating for tomorrow.  Our business sectors, Material, Homes, and Health Care, contribute to the development of society by anticipating the changing needs of those around the world. We look for candidates that offer a fresh perspective and a variety of skills to help us achieve our commitment.

Company:

Job Description:

Role Summary / Purpose

Reporting to the Director, Strategic Marketing, Celgard this individual is a champion of the Strategic Marketing process and responsible for conducting strategic marketing projects in service of sustainable sales revenue and margin growth.  Project portfolio will focus on Celgard polyolefin microporous membranes serving Battery Separator and Specialty Membrane business units.  Critical focus areas include market research and analysis, market opportunity identification, construction of business cases, proposals for new business models, direct customer support for a subset of North American commercial accounts, support on Stage Gate progress from concept through commercialization.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Marketing Projects

• Leads certain Strategic Marketing projects for Celgard in its focused growth areas of lithium-ion and next-Gen battery separators, textiles, filtration, packaging, medical devices, and specialty batteries. 
• Conceptualize and scope new strategic marketing projects for the defined target markets.
• Identify market opportunity and initiate new projects in the adjacent or new markets, with strategic balance of short- and longer-term returns.
• Collaborate with other functions (Sales, Tech Service, R&D, etc) to develop and execute VOC plans.

Business Model and Product Development

• Develop and manage project/services roadmaps linked to target segments, customer needs and willingness to pay; product positioning linked to distinctive understanding of competitive offerings and value.
• Develop cohesive go-to-market plans including communication, brand and IP plans and implement the launch plan with regional sales team.
• Given the high degrees of both market and technical uncertainty, the incumbent will have demonstrated proficiency in hypothesis-based learning discipline to help effectively characterize portfolio opportunities in terms of their potential reward but also risk and cost to pursue.

Customer Account Management

• Coordinate with sales leadership to improve efficiency and effectiveness of sales processes
• Own the sample request process, ensuring accuracy and timely delivery of orders.
• Serve as the day-to-day contact for an assigned group of customers in North America, managing forecasts and ensuring smooth operations.
• Maintain excellent customer relations by ensuring timely order processing and delivery.
• Track sales metrics and support commercial reporting.
• Address quality inquiries and coordinate resolutions.
• Provide quoting support and assist the Sales team with simple tasks.

Market Research and Communications 

• Conduct primary and secondary market intelligence and analysis with actionable outcomes
• Support on potential M&A work.
• Initiate and maintain Celgard external communications, including traditional marketing collateral and of each companies digital market presence (website content, etc).

Background and Qualifications:

• BA/BS in engineering, marketing or business, and an MBA a strong preference
• 5+ years of business experience in a strategic marketing role in the business to business environment, preferably in an industrial/manufacturing setting
• Experience in the highly technical engineering or manufacturing industry
• Successful track record of taking and launching product to market
• Demonstrated the ability to be technically savvy, forward-thinking leader with the ability to think strategically as well as take a hands-on approach in terms of execution
• Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced highly matrix, results driven organization
• Solid global business experience, including deep understanding of the customers
• Ability to travel both domestically and internationally up to 30%
• Expert proficiency of Microsoft office products, including Excel, PowerPoint and Word. 

Special Skills:

• Advanced analytical skills that support a data-driven decision-making, such as stochastic modeling, conjoint analysis, linear regression and other techniques as applicable.
• Analytical thinking and use of data to drive common sense approach to execution.
• Excellent communication, presentation, problem solving, and interpersonal communication skills. Has the ability to translate complex marketing concepts to business partners and clearly articulate benefits and results
• Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally with a collaborative style that builds strategic relationships
• Able to work & think independently, meet tight deadlines, mobilize resources and determine key stakeholders quickly 
• High levels of personal integrity, clarity and honesty
• Culturally sensitive and able to operate effectively in the various cultures

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As an equal opportunity employer, Asahi Kasei believes a diverse workforce will provide us with the ability to continuously support the changes in the economy, society, and environment.