Synthomer is a leading supplier of high-performance, highly specialised polymers and ingredients that play vital roles in key sectors such as coatings, construction, adhesives, and health and protection – growing markets that serve billions of end users worldwide. Headquartered in London, UK and publicly listed there since 1971, we employ c.3,900 employees across our 5 innovation centres of excellence and more than 29 manufacturing sites across Europe, North America and Asia. Around 20% of our sales volumes are from new and patent protected products.
At our innovation centres of excellence in the UK, Germany, China, Malaysia and Ohio, USA we collaborate closely with our customers to develop new products and enhance existing ones tailored to their needs, with an increasing range of sustainability benefits. Since 2021, we have been proud holders of the London Stock Exchange Green Economy Mark, which recognises green technology businesses making a significant contribution to a more sustainable, low-carbon economy.
Product Manager – Specialty Vinyl Polymers (SVP)
Location: Harlow, UK
Reports to: Business Director
Shape the Future of a Global Product Portfolio
Are you commercially sharp, data‑driven, and excited by the challenge of steering a complex global product portfolio? This is your opportunity to make a direct impact in a high‑value, self‑contained business unit, helping shape the future of our manufacturing footprint, product strategy, and profitability. We’re looking for a Product Manager who thrives on solving problems, collaborating across functions, and transforming insights into action. If you're motivated by improving processes and delivering measurable results, you’ll feel right at home here.
What You’ll Be Doing
In this pivotal global role, you will take ownership of the demand forecast, guide our production strategy, and influence investment and partnership decisions through robust commercial and profitability insights.
You will:
Lead Product & Portfolio Management
1. Actively manage the product portfolio, using activity‑based costing, market insights, and commercial strategy.
2. Conduct churn and opportunity pipeline analyses to drive data‑led decisions on product and asset utilisation.
3. Support commercialisation of new products, new applications, and entry into new geographies.
Drive Operational & Forecasting Excellence
4. Coordinate with Commercial teams to deliver accurate budgets and demand forecasts.
5. Partner with FP&A to support monthly financial forecasting.
6. Work with Operations and Supply Chain to optimise production planning, network flexibility, working capital, and cost efficiency.
7. Lead any global product allocation plans when required.
Shape Future Manufacturing Strategy
8. Prepare strong, insight‑driven business cases for investment in new manufacturing capability or external partnerships.
9. Plan and coordinate production trials for new product development.
10. Align with manufacturing, quality, technology, and supply chain teams to enhance recipes, product specs, processes, and asset strategies.
Champion Systems, Data & Process Improvement
11. Act as the focal point for system optimisation and data integrity.
12. Drive effective use of tools such as Salesforce, SAP and Customer Portal.
What You’ll Bring
This role is ideal for someone with a technical or commercial background who loves working with data, enjoys cross‑functional collaboration, and is motivated to improve business outcomes.
You’ll succeed if you have:
13. A degree in Business, Marketing, Finance, Scientific or similar discipline.
14. 2+ years’ experience in a B2B environment (chemicals or manufacturing desirable).
15. Strong financial and global business acumen.
16. Confidence in communicating complex technical and commercial information.
17. The ability to align stakeholders, influence decisions, and convert analytical insights into action.
18. A pragmatic, improvement‑driven mindset and the ability to work independently.
19. Availability for occasional travel.
Why Join Us?
This is more than a product management role — it’s a chance to directly influence our strategic direction, shape our manufacturing footprint, and play a crucial part in delivering value for customers worldwide. You’ll gain exposure across operations, finance, technology, and senior leadership while contributing to the future of the SVP business.
🌍 Global Benefits Overview
20. 💰 Competitive, market-aligned compensation
21. 🎯 Discretionary global bonus scheme
22. 📈 Discretionary Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) – for senior positions
23. 🚗 Company car or car allowance – varies by region and role
24. 🩺 Healthcare – tailored to regional locations
25. 👶 Parental leave and family support – maternity, paternity, adoption (aligned with regional policies)
26. 🏡 Working options – flexibility where it matters, based on role and business needs
27. 📚 Learning & development opportunities – training, online platforms, buddy/mentorship programs, Internal Synthomer University with L&D offers
28. 💙 Wellbeing support – employee assistance program (EAP), mental health resources, wellbeing initiatives
29. 🌱 Retirement / pension contributions – plans vary by country
30. 🤝 Culture of Inclusion – where everyone can thrive
31. 🏆 Performance culture, global reward & recognition programmes