Job Description

Make a +Difference at Kraton!

At Kraton, we make a Positive Difference, and we are looking for individuals who are also looking to make a difference in their jobs, for our customers and to the world. We are looking to hire a key member of our Market Development team. This is a REMOTE position and can be located anywhere in the US.

Key Responsibilities

- Lead new and emerging market and technology evaluation and attractiveness across multiple industries and regions to drive business growth. Conduct detailed primary and secondary market research to clearly define the key market drivers, industry value chain, unmet market needs and competitive landscape. Perform market segmentation to identify the target market segments.
- Develop a winning go-to-market strategy to penetrate and win in the target market segment, and identify strategic opportunities for new product development or potential M&A based on the conducted market research. As part of go-to-market strategy, lead creation of value proposition, pricing and channel strategy for the target segment. Uncover full value potential for products in the segment and establish key areas of differentiation relative to in kind and next best alternative competition. Effectively present the market assessment results and recommended go-to-market strategy to the executive stakeholders.
- Develop product launch plan and lead the implementation of product launch strategy in close collaboration with global cross-functional teams (R&D and Sales).
- Lead global automotive segment strategy implementation through a close cross-functional teamwork and collaboration.
- Continuously monitor global emerging market and technology mega trends to identify the new market opportunities for further evaluation. Stay current with changes and developments in customers\' businesses and products through direct engagement with customers and Commercial & R&D teams.
- Provided designated competitor analysis and understanding of new product opportunities, in coordination with either commercial, R&D, or marketing teams.
- Provide the necessary sales analysis of customer business needed to better understand the changes which are required to meet expected goals.
- Develop and determine innovation opportunities for new product technology or new market opportunities or new customer portfolio opportunities.
- Provide and develop new market assessments, in coordination with marketing team.
- Coordinates with the internal teams (Customer Service / Fulfillment, Quality, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and others) to manage and coordinate particular commercial issues / needs for new market development.
- Analyzes new customer development, initial sales, pricing, and forecasting for new rollout opportunities.

Required Skills

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in new market scouting/development roles or business strategy consulting with focus on the specialty chemicals industry
• Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Experience in performing multiple new market and technology assessments across a wide range of markets/industries, value proposition development and new product launch
• Ability to manage multiple projects/assessments at the same time under a time pressure
• Ability to capture and relevant complex data, and develop the strategic recommendations
• Experience in cultivating new customer and new product technology innovation.
• Ability to work in ambiguity to determine new technology, new customers, or improved technology with an existing customer.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate through multiple functions to bring product to market.
• Experience in R&D and / or commercial excellence.
• Experience in multi-national applications of technology and customer issues.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and managing complex projects.

Education, Certifications & Licenses

• BS/BA in Business, Marketing, chemical science or engineering
• Experience in specialty polymers /thermoplastic elastomers is a plus
• Strategy consulting experience or MBA is a plus

The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this classification. Statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required for this position.

Kraton\'s internal talent acquisition team manages our recruiting efforts and from time to time works with pre-selected/pre-approved external staffing agencies. We do NOT accept unsolicited resumes or candidate referrals from recruiters and/or agencies who are not pre-selected/pre-approved.

Kraton is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Kraton