Product Specialist

SUMMARY 

The Epoxy Product Specialist is responsible for driving optimal business results for the Epoxy business unit. This role requires close coordination between Sales, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Product Management, and Finance. The successful candidate will possess deep business and market knowledge, strong analytical skills, and the leadership ability to influence across functions. 

This position directly impacts significant revenue and variable contribution margin and is central to Westlake’s commercial strategy for Epoxy products. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

May include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Develop and implement critical customer strategies, proposals, contracts, and participate in negotiations. 

• Support Sales with customer visits and market presentations. 

• Communicate and implement commercial strategy with the sales team. 

• Provide price guidance and volume recommendations to Commercial team members. 

• Align on global pricing strategy and coordinate with Global Pricing on key customers. 

• Update price and volume for financial projections and participate in mid-month meetings. 

• Collaborate with Finance and Procurement to optimize business processes and cost models. 

• Support sales with credit issues and coordinate on sales allocation. 

• Participate in S&OP, asset teams, and tactical production meetings.  Maintain visibility at manufacturing sites through regular participation in meetings and plant visits. 

• Analyze key market data: global trade flows, index pricing, market reports, US imports, market share, competitor intelligence, and market news. 

• Build presentations and market reports; educate the sales team and present at meetings. 

• Update formula pricing and price sheets. 

• Analyze price supports, credits, and distribution sales reports. 

• Provide price/quotes for non-contract direct customers. 

• Analyze product line order patterns and FTL/LTL efficiency; suggest improvements. 

• Provide price and margin support for pipeline T&Os. 

• Track monthly volume versus plan and follow up with sales. 

• Maintain an overview of forecasting and work with sales to improve accuracy. 

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS 

• Strong analytical capabilities; able to build compelling narratives from diverse data sources. 

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in technical field; chemicals background is an advantage. 

• Experience interacting with customers or similar experience. 

• Basic understanding of finance (EBITDA, VCM, MOM). 

• Proficient in Excel, PowerPoint, SAP, Arkeiva. 

• 3–5 years of experience in a business or manufacturing role. 

• Aligned with Westlake Epoxy Core Competencies. 

• Ability to work in fast paced environment. 

• Ability to effectively communicate and interact with all levels of the organization. 

• Ability to lead and influence project teams. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and walk. The employee is frequently required to stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, talk or hear, and smell. The employee is occasionally required to sit, use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms. 

The employee must be able to work in the plant environments where noise, dust, material handling equipment, and machinery will be present.  Employee must be able to climb ladders and will be required to wear the appropriate personal protective equipment applicable for the tasks they will be asked to perform. 

Employee may be required to travel up to 25% of the time.