Manager Marketing and Analysis (Polymers) at Sasol

Job description

PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE THE QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION BEFORE SENDING YOUR APPLICATION

PURPOSE OF THE JOB:

• To support the Senior Manager M&S in ensuring delivery of business objectives

• To effectively lead the Marketing Analyst team to deliver on business objectives
• To take accountability for improved market sector analysis and a create a pipeline of strategic ideas for evaluation that deliver on business objectives
• To ensure improved measurement of M&S performance, market analysis and value adding reporting
• To play an active role in M&S project delivery (P2PR, G4P into Africa, Gemini & LCCP)
• To provide market intelligence and make recommendations to Senior Managers to facilitate more insightful strategic decision making
• To advise and create a platform for the sales team to create value through pricing, deal terms and the contracting process
• To drive sustainable growth in all regions and polymers by supporting the M&S team in business readiness for Gemini & LCCP
• To lead P&L Management & Product Portfolio Management
• To lead engagement with the production hubs i.t.o product development opportunities that add value to the bottom line (this includes for example, an understanding of catalyst development, plant production capabilities)
• To drive a global culture in terms of advising not only on the local market but also taking a more strategic view in terms of the four Regional Hubs

SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Completed BEng degree / Commercial Degree
• Post grad Finance / Business qualification (wish).
• Minimum of 10 -15 years’ experience in polymers or related field
• Cross-functional experience preferred (i.e. commercial, technical, finance, manufacturing)
• In-depth understanding of polymer production technology, products and applications.
• Strong decision making abilities in the short term and long term including strategic planning.
• In-depth understanding of polymer markets as well as the petrochemical industry and commodity pricing.
• Proven ability to interpret, synthesize and summarise detailed commercial and market data.

CORE ELEMENTS OF JOB

Product and Market Strategy

• Lead the product and market related activities of the overall product stream within the Polymers Business function
• Lead the implementation of the overall product strategy
• Lead market sector analysis and reporting including product and customer margin and profitability analysis, performance and segmentation.
• Lead the process of identifying new product and customer opportunities within market sectors or applications to grow volumes and margins within the product stream
• Ensure team has total value chain understanding. i.e. understanding the interfaces between various value chain functions and the impact of marketing and product initiatives therein (Balancing market growth opportunities with internal capabilities). Implement and support initiatives that drive value in this regard.
• Ensure execution of the Polymers pricing strategy, development of pricing structures (market segmentation), and influence the achievement of pricing realisation targets within the product stream.
• Lead the team to identify support and drive product and new market growth initiatives.
• Lead the team to define, develop and implement product strategy, including grade rationalisation where required.
• Provide strategic guidance to senior management to assist in strategy development and decision making.

Business track

• To lead the process of identifying strategic technical and commercial opportunities at customers to create value for both parties (increase share of wallet)
• Ensure improved communication and alignment across Sasol through meaningful engagements at the monthly SOPs and business review meetings
• To be the single point in M&S to coordinate demand forecasting (domestic and export) and advise on the allocation of product globally
• To lead engagements with P&O and with Supply Chain to ensure that the customer supply needs are understood and met
• Accountable for driving key business improvement projects in the identified product stream, working closely with other functions such as production and supply chain.
• Ensure compliance with competition law in respect of pricing, market sector segmentation and customer specific growth opportunities.
• Lead cross-functional or multi-disciplinary teams to execute market or product growth projects.
• Communicate and develop synergies with all (global) regional Polymer sales and marketing teams in the area of the identified product stream, ensuring alignment and support of a common product and market strategy.
• Support senior management in the reporting of internal performance metrics and other business reporting requirements.
• To hold the accountability for all quality issues relating to the product, liaising with Quality Manager and others.

Leadership and Values / Relationships:

• Utilise opportunities to address diversity requirements within the M&S team and provide strong leadership in developing a high performance culture within the team.
• Provide leadership and support to sales team to deliver on market and product strategies.
• Foster teamwork and collaboration.
• Demonstrate ability to manage and co-ordinate product and market related activities to deliver on strategic and business objectives.
• Balance resources to ensure effective and efficient delivery of business track deliverables.
• Support and contribute to the alignment of the Polymers business strategy across the regions.
• Strong focus on business acumen and sound decision making ability.
• Takes accountability for own performance and enables high performance in others by providing clarity of strategy and performance outcomes.
• Manage internal and external customer and stakeholder relationships, including functional teams, industry associations, technology providers, suppliers and customers.

General

• Proven leadership skills
• Drive to create a high performance culture within the team
• Drive to achieve business objectives
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Facilitating independent and strategic thinking
• Proven ability to influence cross-functional teams without formal authority
• Result driven, performance oriented
• Conceptual and analytical skills