China Industrial and Fuels Product Manager

About Lubrizol  
The Lubrizol Corporation, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is a specialty chemical company whose science delivers sustainable solutions to advance mobility, improve wellbeing and enhance modern life. Founded in 1928, Lubrizol owns and operates more than 100 manufacturing facilities, sales, and technical offices around the world and has about 8,000 employees. For more information, visit www.Lubrizol.com.

We value diversity in professional backgrounds and life experiences. By enabling a consistent, unbiased, and transparent recruitment process, Lubrizol seeks to create a positive experience for candidates so we can get to know them at their best. We recognize unique work and life situations and offer flexibility, ensuring our employees feel engaged and fulfilled in every aspect of life.   

Product Manager

This position with China Hydraulic and Fuels Product Manager LZA, reporting to the Sr. Product Management has responsibility for the business. In cooperation with the Sales Team, the Product Manager operates in the 0 to 18-month time horizon to meet business goals and maximize profitability. With deep knowledge of industry dynamics and competitors’ strengths and weaknesses, the Product Manager is well-positioned to drive value. This role requires commercial acumen, intellectual capability to turn complex technical information into viable commercial solutions and to drive and retain value.  

Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• General Product Line Management:
  • Management of assigned product line (s), including:
    • Ensure volume forecasts are consistent with market trends;
    • Price/volume decision making, monitor product margins;
    • Maintain master product sheets up to date and escalate foreseeable issues;
    • Assist Commercial organization on contract management with valuable competitive product, pricing and margin analysis;
    • Provide inputs for the annual profit plan targets setting (volume, revenue, margin) and lead its execution;
  • Products and Service Package Pricing:
    • Pricing guidelines for product portfolio. Maintain strategic service packages and pricing per customer segmentation;
    • Pricing gatekeeper, Tier 1 approver;
    • Define and communicate pricing targets to the sales team.
• Portfolio Optimization:
  • Lead portfolio’s 3600 (2/year) analysis – rationalize, strategic focus area;
  • Identify opportunities/holes, analyze business cases with SMM support and present case(s);
  • Provide product life cycle inputs to the Strategic Marketing Manager (SMM) for the marketing plan process;
  • Co-develop with SMM and lead the implementation of the channel strategy based on value chain analysis.
• New Products Pipeline and Launch:
  • Business owner for new products development (PAP) stage gates –project prioritization, business cases, stage gate reviews;
  • Lead the execution of new product launches with SMM (sales-call-in, sales collaterals, industry ppt/posters etc.);
  • Work closely with SC and procurement team to coordinate new product launches and new product delivery commitments;
• Competitive Advantage and Channel Strategy:
  • Track competitor’s activity, strategic responses, execution of initiatives;
  • Review and approve sales proposals, develop winning Value Propositions in coordination with the SMM;
  • Develop and lead the implementation of Business Service Standards aligned to the value proposition;
  • Develop the sales contract strategy and provide guidance to the sales team during contract negotiations;
  • Provides inputs on product, place, price and positioning to the marketing plan process;
  • Work closely with SMM for execution of strategic initiatives

Requirements – Education, Experience, Skills

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Marketing, Business Administration, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or engineering related discipline.  Candidates with an MBA are desirable;
• A minimum of 7+ years of prior experience in combination of Sales, Marketing, or Product Management roles;
• Knowledge of OEM’s, customers, competitors, distribution channels and the global market, as well as an understanding of commercial and marketing skills such as product positioning, strategic and value pricing. Knowledge of lubricants is a plus;
• Demonstrated track record of effective leadership in past roles;
• Financial acumen and analytical capabilities;
• Strong organizational skills; ability to manage and prioritize tasks/projects;
• Capable of independent action; takes initiative;
• Must earn the confidence of the sales organization;
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral;
• High level of proficiency in Excel, Word, PowerPoint

Ready for your next career step? Apply today and let's shape the future together! 

It’s an exciting time to be part of Lubrizol. Lubrizol is not staying put. We are continually learning and evolving. Our passion delivers our success — not only for Lubrizol but for those who count on us every day: our employees, customers, and communities. 

As a diverse, global team, we work together to solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges. We impact everyday lives through science only Lubrizol can deliver, and we never stop pushing to do it better.

One of the founding principles of The Lubrizol Corporation more than 90 years ago was treating every employee with dignity and respect. That same commitment is only stronger today. 

More than that, we are committed to providing an environment where every employee can be the best they can be, no matter their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic.