Product Manager

About the Role

The Polyethylene - Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) Product Manager is a key member of the Polyethylene Business Unit leadership team, focused on maximizing the profitability and long-term competitiveness of the LDPE product line. This role owns the product portfolio strategy and business performance across various commercial and operational dimensions, serving as the primary integrator between Sales, Manufacturing, Technology, Supply Chain, and Business Leadership.

Responsibilities

• Own and steward LDPE product line P&L performance.
• Lead development and execution of product line business strategies aligned with the overall PE business strategy.
• Develop and maintain a forward-looking view of market dynamics, competitive positioning, supply-demand balances, customer trends, and macroeconomic factors.
• Develop annual and long-range business plans, including volume, pricing, profitability, and strategic initiatives.
• Manage the product portfolio to optimize margin, market position, and manufacturing effectiveness.
• Lead grade slate management, product development prioritization, and customer/product mix decisions.
• Partner with Technology, Sales, and Marketing to identify and commercialize new products and applications.
• Establish pricing strategies based on market conditions, competitive positioning, and value-in-use analysis.
• Collaborate with Sales on customer portfolio strategy, contract structures, and market development opportunities.
• Analyze profitability by customer, product, segment, and market to drive value-based decision-making.
• Partner with Supply Chain and Manufacturing teams to balance customer service, inventory, production efficiency, and profitability objectives.
• Participate in S&OP, forecasting, and inventory management processes.
• Support manufacturing performance improvement initiatives and evaluate operational constraints.
• Monitor and analyze business performance against budget, forecast, and strategic objectives.
• Develop business cases and support investment decisions related to capacity expansions, product development, process improvements, acquisitions, and strategic initiatives.
• Maintain comprehensive understanding of polyethylene markets, competitors, customers, applications, and industry trends.
• Evaluate competitive threats and strategic responses.
• Provide leadership and direction to cross-functional teams.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and fact-based decision-making.
• Communicate business strategy, priorities, and performance across organizational levels.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Economics, Finance, Chemistry, or related field.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in manufacturing, commercial, technical, business/product management, supply chain, or related roles.
• Strong analytical capability and financial acumen.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex cross-functional initiatives.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in polyethylene, polymers, petrochemicals, or related industries.
• MBA or advanced business degree.
• Strong understanding of polyethylene markets, applications, customers, and competitive dynamics.
• Experience in S&OP, strategic planning, and product portfolio management.

Physical Demands

Frequent sitting, standing, walking, and use of hands. Occasional stooping, kneeling, or crouching. Regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

Moderate noise level in an office setting. Some work may require operating units with PPE usage, exposure to outside elements, and use of stairs/elevators. Travel up to 20%, including air travel or auto.

Westlake offers an entrepreneurial environment, enriching work life and career experience. We work together to enhance people's lives through our products and presence in the communities we operate. Westlake is an Equal Opportunity Employer.