Mark Walter Email & Phone Number

Greater Chicago Area

Greater Chicago Area

Recruited into newly developed role to leverage industry expertise and customer relationships to drive growth of bio-renewable products in industrial markets. Grew share by delivering unique and innovative customer solutions through a focused market and customer segmented approach. Led cross-functional global category teams responsible for the development and execution of strategies to capture opportunities and grow business in the Paints Inks & Coatings and Consumer Products (Personal Care… Show more Recruited into newly developed role to leverage industry expertise and customer relationships to drive growth of bio-renewable products in industrial markets. Grew share by delivering unique and innovative customer solutions through a focused market and customer segmented approach. Led cross-functional global category teams responsible for the development and execution of strategies to capture opportunities and grow business in the Paints Inks & Coatings and Consumer Products (Personal Care and HI&I) markets. Responsible for category profitability (commercial P&L) and earnings growth, Innovation Margins, and managing the new product development pipeline (portfolio mix and overall value). Show less

Greater Chicago Area

Appointed to lead the transformation of a $250MM hybrid commodity/specialty product business unit. Total P&L responsibility for a business consisting of 8 distinct product lines produced in 6 plants and sold through a combination of a direct sales organization and dedicated specialty chemical distributors. Direct responsibility for 55 person marketing, sales, and technical staff. Matrix responsibility for manufacturing, supply chain, and finance.• Implemented new strategy to execute… Show more Appointed to lead the transformation of a $250MM hybrid commodity/specialty product business unit. Total P&L responsibility for a business consisting of 8 distinct product lines produced in 6 plants and sold through a combination of a direct sales organization and dedicated specialty chemical distributors. Direct responsibility for 55 person marketing, sales, and technical staff. Matrix responsibility for manufacturing, supply chain, and finance.• Implemented new strategy to execute a shift from commodity to specialty products delivering a $7.5M EBITDA improvement in the business during the first year.• Improved unit margins by 165% through execution of a focused market-based strategy resulting in a change in product mix, and customers/markets served; achieved the highest unit margins in its history.• Directed organizational restructuring necessary to support and execute transformational strategy. • Aligned technology product portfolio with business strategy through use of a defined portfolio management process.• Positioned business to deliver $20M in new sales of high value products in 2009 as a result of new product commercialization and strategic selling processes despite a challenging economic climate. Show less

Greater Chicago Area

One of a small leadership team chosen to integrate a series of acquisitions made by Apollo Global Management (private equity owner) into a unified business. Responsible for commercial P&L and New Business Development activities for Coating Resins business unit, including integration of newly acquired businesses and technology platforms. Managed a team of 6 professionals leading development of business unit strategy, one and three year business plans, market segment strategies, new product… Show more One of a small leadership team chosen to integrate a series of acquisitions made by Apollo Global Management (private equity owner) into a unified business. Responsible for commercial P&L and New Business Development activities for Coating Resins business unit, including integration of newly acquired businesses and technology platforms. Managed a team of 6 professionals leading development of business unit strategy, one and three year business plans, market segment strategies, new product development pipeline, and pricing plans/policies. Led cross-functional team to develop longer term strategy for the business unit and gained approval from executive management team for implementation.• Collaborated with business unit president and private equity owners to develop acquisition strategy for Coating Resins business and subsequent due diligence work on targeted acquisitions.• Managed North American integration of acquired Construction Chemicals business and realigned Distributor sales networks resulting in a 100% increase in sales through this market channel in the first year.• Achieved $750K in synergies in the first year through reductions in distribution and third party manufacturing costs. • Increased average sell price of acquired products by 10% through improved product mix and focus on core products.• Increased sales by 20% during the 12 months subsequent to the divestiture of the business from Eastman Chemical through implementation of strategic selling processes and focused communication throughout functional organizations within the business.Hexion Specialty Chemicals was formed in 2005 with the combination of Resolution Specialty Materials, Resolution Performance Polymers, Bakelite AG, and Borden Chemical. Show less

Managed a team of Marketing and Product Management professionals leading development of business unit strategy, one and three year business plans, market segment strategies, and pricing plans/policies. Responsible to drive alignment of technology portfolio with strategic market plans in addition to the integration of acquired business/technology platforms.

Managed a $200M portfolio of polymers for the coatings and inks markets. Accountable for delivery of revenue and margin targets in the annual business plan. Led commercialization efforts for new products and the integration of acquired technologies/products into the commercial portfolio. Developed business cases to support development of new products to address gaps in the product portfolio and competing technologies. Managed development projects through the stage gate process.… Show more Managed a $200M portfolio of polymers for the coatings and inks markets. Accountable for delivery of revenue and margin targets in the annual business plan. Led commercialization efforts for new products and the integration of acquired technologies/products into the commercial portfolio. Developed business cases to support development of new products to address gaps in the product portfolio and competing technologies. Managed development projects through the stage gate process. • Repositioned overall product manufacturing scheme to align with business objectives resulting in a $1.6M reduction in fixed manufacturing costs and a 35% improvement in cycle time for impacted products.• Served as Commercial lead on cross-functional team charged with the closure of two inefficient manufacturing plants resulting in an $11M reduction in fixed manufacturing costs.• Achieved a 25% reduction in SKUs and a $2M improvement in profitability via product consolidation programs. Show less

Managed $150M portfolio of polymers for the coatings and inks markets. Accountable for delivery of revenue and margin targets in the annual business plan. Led commercialization efforts for new products and the integration of acquired technologies/products into the commercial portfolio. Developed business cases to support development of new products to address gaps in the product portfolio and competing technologies. Managed development projects through the stage gate… Show more Managed $150M portfolio of polymers for the coatings and inks markets. Accountable for delivery of revenue and margin targets in the annual business plan. Led commercialization efforts for new products and the integration of acquired technologies/products into the commercial portfolio. Developed business cases to support development of new products to address gaps in the product portfolio and competing technologies. Managed development projects through the stage gate process.• Implemented resourcing activities to reduce the number of sites manufacturing specialty products. • Repositioned manufacturing activities to yield a sustained $800K raw material savings and a 10% increase in sales made from inventoried product vs. make to order.• Developed and implemented product line strategy for saturated polyesters resulting in 10 million lbs. of growth in the first year through focused efforts with strategic customers in targeted end use markets. Show less

Led the transition to a centralized Tactiacl R&D function responsible for new product development, integration of acquired and licensed technologies, and implementation of coporporate quality initiatives (design control, first run capability, product standardization). Direct responsibility for 12 person technical staff transforming them into a high performance work team, as well as matrix responsibility for site lab personnel at eight manufacturing facilities.• Increased new product… Show more Led the transition to a centralized Tactiacl R&D function responsible for new product development, integration of acquired and licensed technologies, and implementation of coporporate quality initiatives (design control, first run capability, product standardization). Direct responsibility for 12 person technical staff transforming them into a high performance work team, as well as matrix responsibility for site lab personnel at eight manufacturing facilities.• Increased new product revenue from less than $3M/year to $18-20M/year by developing and implementing a new cross-functional process which better aligned with the corporation’s Product Realization Process. • Set direction and managed implementation of corporate quality initiatives through coordination of site lab activities and development of the necessary supporting processes to drive first run capability, product standardization, and design control. Show less

Dallas/Fort Worth Area

Led a 12 person sales and technical staff and directed the efforts for 4 specialty chemical distributors.

Dallas/Fort Worth Area

Managed a staff of 5 sales professionals. Also directed the efforts of 6 specialty chemical distributors.

Dallas/Fort Worth Area

Led the design, construction, and staffing of laboratory facilities as the site was transitioned from a satellite plant to a full scale profit center. Directed a staff of 7 chemists and technicians responsible for product development, scale-up, and plant support activities.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Responsible for synthesis and applications development of polymers (Alkyds, Polyesters, UV, Acrylics) for the Coatings and Inks markets resulting in 8 products which were successfully commercialized. Transitioned from product development activities to Technical Service, directly interfacing with customers to position products and assist customers in customizing coatings formulations based on those polymers for their specific end use applications.