Product Specialist I

Date:  Oct 9, 2025
Location: 

Lexington, KY, US, 40509

Work Location Type:  Onsite
Description: 

Why Valvoline Global Operations?
 
At Valvoline Global Operations, we’re proud to be The Original Motor Oil, but we’ve never rested on being first. Founded in 1866, we introduced the world’s first branded motor oil, staking our claim as a pioneer in the automotive and industrial solutions industry. Today, as an affiliate of Aramco, one of the world’s largest integrated energy and chemicals companies, we are driven by innovation and committed to creating sustainable solutions for a better future.

 

With a global presence, we develop future-ready products and provide best-in-class services for our partners around the world. For us, originality isn’t just about where we began; it’s about where we’re headed and how we’ll lead the way. We are originality in motion.

 

Our corporate values—Care, Integrity, Passion, Unity, and Excellence—are at the heart of everything we do. These values define how we operate, how we treat one another, and how we engage with our partners, customers, and the communities we serve. At Valvoline Global, we are united in our commitment to:

•    Treating everyone with care.
•    Acting with unwavering integrity.
•    Striving for excellence in all endeavors.
•    Delivering on our commitments with passion.
•    Collaborating as one unified team.

 

When you join Valvoline Global, you’ll become part of a culture that celebrates creativity, innovation, and excellence. Together, we’re shaping the future of automotive and industrial solutions.

 

Job Purpose

This role is responsible for Valvoline Global Operations Heavy Duty Lubricant portfolio and the Heavy Duty and Light Duty Grease portfolio in the Americas.  The Product Line Manager has four main pillars of responsibility: 1. Product/Portfolio Costing, 2. Product Profitability, 3. Profit Improvement Opportunities and 4. Product Rationalization. 

 

This role has ownership and analysis of all product costing along with key drivers of that costing. Continually seeks ways to optimize margin within the entire portfolio through either supply chain optimizations, procurement savings opportunities, and consolidation of the portfolio through product life-cycle management. Additionally, responsible for tracking changes month-to-month within the portfolio to identify outliers and develop course correction plans. Keeps all business units apprised of costing of products.    

 

How You Make an Impact (Job Accountabilities)

  • Product / Portfolio Costing: Serve as the Single Point of Contact for all business units relative to current costing of all portfolio items, cost changes based on supplier inputs, and cost implications of various supply chain shifts. Actively communicate changes to all teams and understand impacts of absorption on the portfolio via the LE process.
  • High Impact Bid Owner: As applicable, own the High Impact Bid process for Heavy Duty Lubricants for the Americas, ensuring all cross-functional partners are aware of the bid and the documentation is completed on time and to standard. This enables sales to effectively bid on new business opportunities which have a material impact on overall Valvoline supply chain capabilities and profitability.
  • Innovation Network Analysis: Aid in the costing of new materials coupled with the development of the most effective supply chain to deliver fill rate while keeping inventory and COGS low.
  • SKU Rationalization & Product Lifecycle Management: Own, monitor, and recommend product life cycle for the Americas Heavy Duty and Grease portfolios.  This encompasses an annual SKU rationalization of the portfolio followed by obsolete tracking and completion.  Additionally, determining which SKUS should be cured and provide a strategic path to move the item to a healthy position. 
  • Slow Moving Inventory Reduction: Continually monitors inventory of greater than 1 year to identify opportunities to reduce excess goods by working closely with supply chain, operations, procurement and channel marketing.
  • Product Profitability: Continuously monitor and report on changes within the portfolio relative to margin. Alert the team monthly to all items outside target margins along with recommended corrective actions to regain target margin windows
  • Profit Improvement Opportunities: Actively seek out opportunities in the supply chain to drive out costs, enhance service levels, and deliver profitability.
  • Data Management: Review, update, maintain, and manage SAP data related to the HD portfolio.  Be the point of contract regarding all topics related to product hierarchy in our controls.
  • Additional duties as assigned.

 

The Product Line Manager – Will conduct regular meetings with senior leaders to align recommendations and enhancements to drive increases in profitability across the portfolio. Additionally, the Product Line Manager will be the subject matter expert on portfolio supply chain within Product Strategy & Management.

 

What You Bring to the Role (Job Qualifications / Education / Skills / Requirements / Capabilities)

  • Bachelor’s Degree; Master of Business Administration (preferred)
  • 5-7 years of experience
  • Competent at Excel, possesses a strong understanding of SNAP and SAP 
  • Able to travel up to 10% of the time
  • Office based in Lexington, KY

 

Competencies Desired

  • Strong analytical thinking and business mindset. Possesses the ability to turn insights into action
  • Ability to pull, assess, and conceptualize key data in a manner that makes it digestible for leadership
  • An inquisitive thirst to learn more and seek the truth 
  • Team oriented, with strong communication abilities and willingness to share ideas for diverse input and perspective
  • Passion for continually improving recommendations and optimizations to extract value from products and supply chains

 

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements / Travel Requirements

  • Working Conditions / Physical Requirements: Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • Travel Requirements: Travel Frequency up to 10% with no overnight travel

Valvoline Global is an equal opportunity employer. We are dedicated to fostering an environment where every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives and skills. We strictly prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind, regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, genetics, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other legally protected characteristic.

 

We are committed to ensuring accessibility throughout our recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any stage of the recruitment or selection process, please contact us at:.


•    Email: Valvolineglobalcareers@valvolineglobal.com

 

This contact information is solely for accommodation requests. For inquiries about application status, please use the appropriate channels listed in your application materials.

 

Are You Ready to Make an Impact?

At Valvoline Global, we’re looking for passionate and talented individuals to join our journey of innovation and excellence. Are you ready to shape the future with us? Apply today.


Requisition ID: 1805


Nearest Major Market: Lexington