North America Technical Service Manager (Finance)

Ashland Specialty Ingredients, GP

Are you the kind of person that is always thinking, sketching, seeking, and adjusting? Who needs to understand how things work and then figure out how they can work better? Are you a passionate, tenacious, solver who loves to work with others who share your drive? Are you positive, constructive, and ingenious?

Are you always solving?

Then we'd like to meet you and bet you'd like to meet us.

This is a central, visible and a critical role within the global Personal Care R&D organization as the incumbent will lead the technical service activities in North America and will be accountable to d rive value growth through in n ovation in the region . The job holder will work hand in hand with the NA General Manager for Personal Car e and will design and implement the R&D strategies to deliver the business objectives in the Region . This position will report to the Sr. Global R&D Director, Personal Care and will be based at our Bridgewater, NJ site.

The North America Technical Service Manager will oversight the decision-making and prioritization of regional opportunity development s , including agility in effective use of resources across the network to meet business goals. The individual , will work closely with the NA Sales and Marketing teams to execute regional plans , including new product introductions and beta sampling activities . This position will also be responsible for building talent and capabilities across the personal care in NA , so to ensure future development of the Personal Care R&D organization, by collaborating cross-functionally, and delivering a high level of performance.

The roles and responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to the following :

• Serve as a key member of the Global Personal Care R&D leadership team and share responsibility for NA business priorities.
• Oversee and supervise the technical service efforts within North America.
• Lead the execution of customer opportunities in the region. Ensure the opportunity pipeline is healthy, robust and contributes to the top line growth of the region.
• Responsible, along with commercial management team, to identify new customer opportunities in the North America region.
• Implement regional strategies to deliver the full year innovation targets: NPI sales; beta sampling of key Global Projects, new product introductions.
• Support the Senior Global R&D Director in developing the metrics and the KPIs to monitor the business impact of the Global Technical Service activities in Personal Care
• Provide leadership and direction to a team of about 5 researchers across different categories in personal care: hair care, skin care, biofunctionals, microbial protection.
• Drive accountability for the selection and development of talent and succession within the organization to ensure an effective, sustainable model and talent pipeline.
• Partner with regional teams in Manufacturing, Supply Chain and Regulatory to support customer opportunities up to commercialization.
• Act as the technical and applications expert for personal care in the region including giving: seminar presentations, public appearances, media commentary and customer presentations.
• Responsible for the technical training of Ashland commercial teams and distributors, so to educate them to the technologies and product portfolio.
• Willingness to travel within the North America to visit customers and collaboration partners such as distributors.
• Liaise with the other personal care application managers to develop formulations and concepts featuring Ashland's focus products.
• Liaise with marketing to provide the technical input in updating marketing collaterals, and external communications such as webinars or presentations at key symposiums.
• Build to provide thought leadership and technical expertise through articles or papers.
• Actively contribute to the organizational goals by taking initiative, executing on goals and focusing on performance and safety
• Improve the organization capacity and capabilities through building collaborative relationships, optimizing diverse talent and utilizing positive communications and influence with others

In order to be qualified for this role, you must possess the following:

• A minimum of a Bachelor's degree (Is this really required or will equivalent years of experience suffice?)
• Minimum 5 years experience in the specialty chemical industry. • Demonstrated responsible and ethical behavior at all times
• The ability to help the company drive greater value through understanding the business, making complex decisions and creating the new and different

The following skill sets are preferred by the business unit:

• Master degree or above

Perks of working at Ashland:

• Team recognition rewards, sponsored lunches and monetary incentives based on performance
• Comprehensive Benefit package, Medical, Dental and Vision starting on Day 1 for you AND your family
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Referral bonus plan - get a job with us and get paid to refer your friends

In more than 100 countries, the people of Ashland LLC. (NYSE: ASH) provide the specialty chemicals, technologies and insights to help customers create new and improved products for today and sustainable solutions for tomorrow. Our chemistry is at work every day in a wide variety of markets and applications, including architectural coatings, automotive, construction, energy, personal care and pharmaceutical. Visit www.ashland.com to see the innovations we offer.

At Ashland our vision is to be a leading, global specialty chemicals company whose inspired and engaged employees add value to all we touch. In fact our people, employees, customers and vendors define who we are. They are the driving force behind everything we do.

Not only do we value our customers but we value our employees, and we work to offer them a dynamic and challenging environment. We hold ourselves to high standards at Ashland, and we value integrity and honesty.

Ashland has a history of attracting the best people and keeping them. The reasons are simple: industry competitive salary and benefits, pay-for-performance incentive plans and a diverse work environment where employees feel challenged and valued. People come to Ashland and stay. As a growing Fortune 500 specialty chemicals company, we offer opportunities for development and advancement throughout our global organization. Our values define who we are and what we care about as a company. If you are looking for a relationship with a company instead of simply a job, this may be a great fit.

Ashland is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled/Gender Identity/Sexual Orientation.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. NOTE: We do not accept resumes from external staffing agencies or independent recruiters for any of our openings unless we have a signed recruiting agreement in place to fill a specific position.