Business Manager (Automotive)

Westlake Chemical; United States; On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Westlake Chemical seeks a Business Manager to lead the Automotive market within Global Compounds in North America. You will craft market-specific growth plans, manage pricing strategies, and align with the sales team to optimize profitability and supply agreements.

The role requires 10+ years in technical sales or market development with a strong polymer process background, leadership skills, and proficiency in Excel/PowerPoint. Travel up to 25% may be required.

Qualifications

• BA/BS in business or technical discipline.
• 10+ years field experience in technical sales/services/product development.
• Strong understanding of polymer end-use process technology.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Leadership and cross-functional collaboration experience.
• Financial acumen and pricing analysis expertise.
• Customer interface and market opportunity definition skills.
• Proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, Word.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute market growth strategies for target verticals and geographies.
• Perform market mapping, segmentation, and trend assessment to identify opportunities.
• Monitor competitive landscape and translate insights into action plans.
• Align regional plans with global strategy for unified direction.
• Oversee market segment profit and loss performance and pricing analyses.
• Lead portfolio strategy, lifecycle management, and product launches.
• Build business cases for investments, expansions, and diversification.
• Collaborate across sales, supply chain, R&D, and finance to drive value.

Skills

Market strategy

Market mapping

Pricing strategy

Forecasting

Portfolio management

Leadership

Excel

PowerPoint

Communication

Education

B.A in Business or Technical Discipline

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Job description

SUMMARY

The Business Manager is a key role that oversees the Automotive market for Global Compounds in North America. This person creates market specific growth strategies and business plans aligned with the sales team, including supply agreements. Identifies competitive threats and opportunities. Effectively manages the product portfolio and customer pricing to ensure optimal profitability. Manages, facilitates and communicates the sales and pricing forecasts. Develops business recommendations for finished goods inventory optimization, new product development, and acquisitions/diversification. Drives the brand/marketing strategy, as well as manage the participation with the market/industry groups.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Market Strategy & Growth: Develop and execute market growth strategies for target verticals and priority geographies.
• Perform market mapping, customer segmentation, and trend assessment to identify high-value opportunities.
• Monitor competitive landscape (products, pricing, technology) and translate insights into action plans.
• Align regional plans with global strategy to ensure a unified product direction and clear value proposition.
• Oversee the market segment profit and loss performance.
• Execute profitability and product mix data analyses by market, customer and product.
• Develop recommendations for improved and optimized profitability.
• Product Strategy & Lifecycle Management: Own the portfolio strategy and roadmap; define positioning, differentiation, and target applications.
• Manage lifecycle from concept to launch, continuous improvement, rationalization, and phase-out decisions.
• Track portfolio performance using KPIs (e.g., margin, volume, mix, yield, cost-to-produce, share) and lead corrective actions.
• Build business cases for product investments, regional expansions, and portfolio optimization initiatives.
• Manage, facilitate and communicate the following: Product portfolio Promotable products Supply agreements Commercial Stage Gate (CSP) program New product development Next generation improved product development Cost reduction initiatives Technical Work Requests (TWR) approvals and prioritizations Vertical integration (intra-divisional customers) Horizontal integration (global synergy programs) Overall market intelligence
• Pricing & Value Management: Establish and maintain regional pricing guidance based on value, competition, and raw-material movements.
• Partner with Sales on quoting strategy, key negotiations, and value-based selling tools.
• Analyze profitability by application, customer segment, and geography to drive margin improvement.
• Customer interface for business development tied to: Market share and strategic position within the market Next generation product development New product development Cost reduction collaboration Market/Industry group activities Brand/Marketing initiatives
• Effectively develop recommendations and support the following: Monthly sales and pricing forecasts "Top Down" strategic sales pipeline Finished goods inventory Make to order (MTO) Standard products and consignment (MTS) Make to forecast (MTF) Slow-moving inventory Scheduling and demand planning Includes sample lines Acquisition/Diversification
• Comply with all Company policies and procedures.
• Any additional responsibilities or tasks as assigned.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• B.A in Business or Technical Discipline
• 10+ years of field experience in at least one of the following areas: Technical sales Technical services Market/product development
• Thorough understanding of the Polymer business end use process technology is vital
• Strong communicator that is proficient both written and verbal skills
• Strong leadership and collaboration skills to work across functions
• Business and marketing acumen
• Customer interface experience
• Financial acumen
• Ability to define new product market opportunities including market sizing, value proposition development, and pricing analysis
• Ability to collaborate with sales, supply chain, R&D and finance
• Strong ability to drive process
• Thorough understanding of the Polymer business end use process technology is vital
• Strong communication skills and be proficient both written and verbal skills
• Strong leadership and collaboration skills to work across functions
• Excellent at critical thinking and problem solving to create logical, executable strategies.
• Organized and effective at managing multiple projects
• Strong work ethic and intellectual curiosity to research and become market experts
• Proficient in Excel, PowerPoint, Word

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate as normally based in an office. Some of the work may be required in the operating units which can require usage of required PPE including safety glasses, hearing protection, etc. May also result in exposure to outside elements and may require usage of stairs and elevators. Up to 25% travel, including auto or air travel may be required as needed to customers and/or trade shows.

Westlake is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable legislation.

Westlake is a global manufacturer and supplier of materials and innovative products that enhance life every day. Headquartered in Houston, with operations in Asia, Europe and North America, we provide the building blocks for vital solutions - from housing and construction - to packaging and healthcare - to automotive and consumer. For more information, visit the company's web site at www.westlake.com. Westlake (NYSE: WLK) is a global diversified industrial company that manufactures and supplies essential products that enhance the daily lives of people around the globe. Our products, now under a One Westlake brand, supply the necessary building blocks for everyday products across housing and infrastructure, packaging and healthcare, and automotive and consumer goods. Consumers gain the benefits of materials Westlake produces in products such as food packaging, medical devices, soaps and detergents, car interiors, fashion, toys, shoes, furniture, electronics, siding, stone veneer, windows, outdoor living, roofing, and pipe & fittings. Westlake is proud to contribute to driving a sustainable future through the creation of essential products that are Enhancing Your Life Every Day.