Global Product Manager

About AkzoNobel
Since 1792, we've been supplying the innovative paints and coatings that help to color people's lives and protect what matters most. Our world class portfolio of brands – including Dulux, International, Sikkens and Interpon – is trusted by customers around the globe. We're active in more than 150 countries and use our expertise to sustain and enhance the fabric of everyday life. Because we believe every surface is an opportunity. It's what you'd expect from a pioneering and long-established paints company that's dedicated to providing sustainable solutions and preserving the best of what we have today – while creating an even better tomorrow. Let's paint the future together.

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Job Responsibilities
Long Description
Short Description
Job Purpose
The Product Manager is responsible for managing and strengthening the Marine, Protective & Yacht (MPY) product portfolio in alignment with the regional strategy, market trends, and customer expectations.

This role ensures that the product portfolio consistently meets customer needs throughout its life cycle—from development and market introduction to optimization and rationalization. The Product Manager leads local New Product Introduction (NPI) and Value Engineering initiatives in close collaboration with regional and local R&D teams, driving innovation, cost efficiency, and portfolio competitiveness.

Key Accountabilities1
2. Product Portfolio Management

• Market Research
• Co-work with the Marketing Manager to collect, interpret, and analyze internal and external market intelligence to identify customer needs, technology trends, and competitive dynamics.
• Co-work with the Marketing Manager to translate insights into actionable recommendations that guide product strategy, portfolio development, and market positioning.
• Lead strategic local product line management and define clear roadmaps for local new product categories and growth opportunities.
• Develop robust business cases and portfolio strategies for new products, target segments, and geographies.
• Track portfolio performance through key metrics, ensuring alignment with business objectives and market needs.
• Monitor competitor activities and develop competitive benchmarking and "selling-against" guides in collaboration with commercial teams.
• Maintain portfolio consistency across the region, supporting local adaptation where necessary.
• Manage the full product life cycle—from concept to withdrawal—ensuring market requirements are effectively translated into product development and optimization plans.
• Facilitate Stage-Gate processes by integrating market insights and ensuring strategic alignment across R&D, marketing, and commercial functions.
• Drive portfolio rationalization and continuous improvement initiatives to optimize product mix and profitability.

Key Accountabilities2
4. Communication

• Product Positioning & Commercialization
• Lead cross-functional teams in planning and executing successful product launches, ensuring all deliverables are completed on time and in full.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Sales teams to develop commercialization strategies that maximize market penetration and growth.
• Work with TOD team to support commercial teams with product expertise, ensuring appropriate product selection and alignment with customer requirements.
• Define pricing framework by cooperating with regional marketing teams.
• Identify and pursue opportunities for portfolio expansion or optimization based on market feedback and business priorities.
• Develop and deliver impactful product positioning and messaging strategies for both internal and external audiences.
• Create high-quality marketing and sales enablement materials, such as white papers, product guides, presentations, and promotional content.
• Ensure consistent and effective communication across functions to enhance product awareness, differentiation, and value perception.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years' experience in R&D, Manufacturing, or Marketing.
• Bachelor's degree or above in Business Management, Marketing, Engineering, or Chemistry.
• Solid understanding of Project and Program Management principles, with proven ability to manage customer and supplier relationships effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute product strategies, and to communicate recommendations clearly to across functions.
• Experienced in working cross-functionally within a matrix organization, collaborating with regional and global stakeholders.
• Comfortable managing product roadmaps and execution plans, engaging key internal and external customers to ensure alignment and delivery.
• Results-oriented, self-motivated, and an excellent communicator who enjoys working collaboratively across functions and teams.
• Fluency in English and Mandarin (both written and spoken) preferred.

Education
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Competencies
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Acquiring Information

At AkzoNobel we are highly committed to ensuring an inclusive and respectful workplace where all employees can be their best self. We strive to embrace diversity in a context of tolerance. Our talent acquisition process plays an integral part in this journey, as setting the foundations for a diverse environment. For this reason we train and educate on the implications of our Unconscious Bias in order for our TA and hiring managers to be mindful of them and take corrective actions when applicable. In our organization, all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age or disability.

Requisition ID: 50038