Global Product And Sub-Segment Manager

Akzonobel; Gateshead; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

AkzoNobel is seeking a Global Product & Sub-Segment Manager for Yacht & Boat Production Build. You will shape strategy, manage the global portfolio, and drive launches across leading yacht and boat manufacturers.

Collaborate with marketing, sales, R&D, operations, and supply chain to deliver growth and value across a complex global marketplace. The role blends strategic marketing, portfolio management and innovation leadership, with responsibility for defining trends, developing value

Qualifications

• A degree in Marketing or another related discipline.
• Proven experience in strategic marketing and product management roles.
• Experience in commercial environments, ideally within coatings or marine industries.
• Strong financial acumen and analytical skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work effectively within a matrix organisation and across global teams.
• Strong strategic thinking with hands-on execution capability.
• Proactive, collaborative and solution-focused approach.
• Experience managing cross-functional teams and complex global projects.
• Experience working across multiple functions such as sales, R&D, supply chain or operations.
• Strong communication and presentation skills in English.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the "where to play" and "how to win" strategies for the Yacht & Boat Production Build segment.
• Manage the global product and service portfolio in line with market needs and business strategy.
• Lead new product introductions (NPI), range optimisation and lifecycle management activities.
• Develop differentiated value propositions, business cases and strategic marketing initiatives.
• Conduct market research and competitor analysis to identify trends, threats and growth opportunities.
• Lead product and service development projects through the Stage-Gate process.
• Collaborate with regional teams to ensure effective implementation of strategies and initiatives.
• Benchmark competitor offerings and support technology leadership through industry engagement.
• Provide strategic input into brand positioning and communication planning.
• Partner with sales, R&D, operations, procurement and finance to deliver objectives.
• Drive revenue, profitability and portfolio performance targets.
• Influence cross-functional teams to execute strategic plans.
• Promote a diverse, inclusive team culture and talent development.
• Ensure compliance with HSE, corporate and ethical standards.

Skills

Strategic Marketing

Product Management

Stakeholder Management

Cross-functional Leadership

Financial Acumen

English Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Marketing or related discipline

Job description

Since , we have been supplying the innovative paints and coatings that help to color people’s lives and protect what matters most. Our world class portfolio of brands - including Dulux, International, Sikkens and Interpon - is trusted by customers around the globe. We are active in more than countries and use our expertise to sustain and enhance the fabric of everyday life. Because we believe every surface is an opportunity. It is what you'd expect from a pioneering and long-established paints company that is dedicated to providing sustainable solutions and preserving the best of what we have today - while creating an even better tomorrow. Let’s paint the future together.

Please note - we welcome applications from people with relevant experience and transferable skills, even if you don't meet every requirement. If this role sparks your interest, we'd love to hear from you.

At AkzoNobel, we have been pioneering colour, protection and performance for more than years. Our teams develop innovative coating technologies and solutions that help customers around the world achieve better performance, sustainability and efficiency.
We are committed to building diverse, inclusive teams that reflect the customers and communities we serve.

About the Role

The Yacht & Boat Production Build segment sits at the heart of the global leisure marine industry, supporting leading boat builders with coating solutions that combine quality, efficiency, sustainability and reliability at scale.

As Global Product & Sub-Segment Manager – Yacht & Boat Production Build, you'll play a key role in shaping the strategic direction of our global Production Build portfolio. Working with some of the world's leading yacht and boat manufacturers, you'll define strategies that strengthen AkzoNobel's position as a trusted partner throughout the build process.

This is an exciting global role that combines strategic marketing, portfolio management and innovation leadership. You'll be responsible for driving the growth and success of our Yacht & Boat Production Build sub-segment, identifying emerging trends, developing compelling value propositions and bringing innovative coating solutions to market.

Working closely with regional marketing, sales, R&D, operations and supply chain teams, you'll lead cross-functional collaboration to deliver winning strategies, successful product launches and sustainable business growth.

If you're passionate about strategy, innovation and creating value in a global environment, this is an opportunity to make a tangible impact in a segment where performance, manufacturing excellence and customer partnerships drive success.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and execute the "where to play" and "how to win" strategies for the Yacht & Boat Production Build segment
• Manage the global product and service portfolio in line with market needs and business strategy
• Lead new product introductions (NPI), range optimisation and lifecycle management activities
• Develop differentiated value propositions, business cases and strategic marketing initiatives
• Conduct market research and competitor analysis to identify trends, threats and growth opportunities
• Lead product and service development projects through the Stage-Gate process
• Collaborate with regional teams to ensure effective implementation of strategies and initiatives
• Benchmark competitor offerings and support technology leadership through industry engagement
• Provide strategic input into brand positioning and communication planning
• Partner closely with sales, R&D, operations, procurement and finance teams to deliver business objectives
• Drive delivery of revenue, profitability and portfolio performance targets
• Influence and coordinate cross-functional project teams to successfully execute strategic plans
• Promote a diverse, inclusive and collaborative team culture that encourages innovation and engagement
• Support talent development and succession planning initiatives across the business
• Ensure compliance with HSE, corporate and ethical standards across all activities

What We're Looking For

• A degree in Marketing or another related discipline
• Proven experience in strategic marketing and product management roles
• Experience working in commercial environments, ideally within the coatings or marine industry
• Strong financial acumen and analytical skills
• Excellent interpersonal, influencing and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to work effectively within a matrix organisation and across global teams
• Strong strategic thinking combined with hands-on execution capability
• A proactive, collaborative and solution-focused approach
• Experience managing cross-functional teams and complex global projects
• Experience working across multiple functions such as sales, R&D, supply chain or operations
• Strong communication and presentation skills in English

What Makes This Role a Great Opportunity

• Help shape the strategy and future direction of our Yacht & Boat Production Build portfolio
• Contribute to the development and success of coating solutions used by leading boat and yacht manufacturers worldwide
• Support the delivery of new products, services and technologies that create value for customers and the business
• Collaborate with global commercial, technical and operational teams
• Work closely with customers and industry stakeholders to understand evolving market needs and opportunities
• Take ownership of a global portfolio and play an important role in driving growth and performance
• Gain exposure to international markets, customers and industry stakeholders
• Build your career within a global organisation focused on innovation, collaboration and continuous development

Why AkzoNobel?

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits
• Pension, life assurance and income protection
• Wellbeing and mental health support
• Flexible benefits tailored to your lifestyle
• A culture centred on inclusion, development and work-life balance
• Access to global learning and career progression opportunities

At AkzoNobel, we believe diverse teams make stronger decisions, drive innovation and create better outcomes. If you're passionate about strategic marketing, product innovation and building customer value in a global environment, we encourage you to apply - even if you're not sure you meet every requirement.

At AkzoNobel we are highly committed to ensuring an inclusive and respectful workplace where all employees can be their best self. We strive to embrace diversity in a context of tolerance. Our talent acquisition process plays an integral part in this journey, as setting the foundations for a diverse environment. For this reason we train and educate on the implications of our Unconscious Bias in order for our TA and hiring managers to be mindful of them and take corrective actions when applicable. In our organization, all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age or disability.

Global Product and Sub-Segment Manager Gateshead, GB