Strategy Manager

Founded in 1920, Eastman is a global specialty materials company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With the purpose of enhancing the quality of life in a material way, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. The company's innovation-driven growth model takes advantage of world-class technology platforms, deep customer engagement, and differentiated application development to grow its leading positions in attractive end markets such as transportation, building and construction, and consumables. As a globally inclusive company, Eastman employs approximately 13,000 people around the world and serves customers in more than 100 countries. The company had 2025 revenue of approximately $8.8 billion and is headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA. For more information, visit www.eastman.com.

Role Profile

The primary role for the Corporate Strategy Manager will be to partner with the Strategy Director in creating and leading work modules in strategy "deep dives" and/or corporate strategy projects, through leading analyses, generating insights/best practice recommendations and using key strategy methods. This position supports the execution of all aspects of strategy development.

This is a U.S. based role that will sit in Kingsport, TN.

Responsibilities (what the Strategy Manager does)

• Create and execute, with minimal direction from the Director, Corporate Strategy, any individual module of the strategy process, including

• Identifying key data needs and potential data sources

• Leading the effort to gather needed data, e.g. by interviewing internal and external SMEs, designing/chartering tailored market research, etc.

• Directing the creation and use of the framework, tool, or model central to the module

• Conducting module sub team meetings to discuss and draw out implications and recommendations for best practices that will improve choices

• Writing the first draft summary of the work of the module sub teams

• Leads training of the strategy tools and serves as a mentor to junior strategy team members

• Partner with the Senior Manager, and Director, Strategy in coaching business and growth platform team members in the use of key strategy and EBME concepts and methods.

• Partner with Corporate Strategy Management in resource planning and recruiting for the more junior strategy team members

• Engage and facilitate workshops with Director level business partners and stakeholders

• Partner with Business Leaders to develop Executive Level strategy presentations

What Strategy Manager does NOT do:

• Lead a full strategy deep dive; they are contributing partners and will lead modules of work, but will not have accountability for the full output
• Does not get involved with day to day operational aspects or, unless by exception, stage gate projects of the client business

Functional Skills and Capabilities:

• Has an expert level understanding of the core concepts of product line strategy, and of the principles underlying EMN's product line strategy process
• Has an expert level understanding of a few strategy tools/frameworks, i.e. of their underpinning logic and of how to use them to generate insights
• Curiosity coupled with fast learning
• Exceptional analytical skills
• Ability to ask, listen, and synthesize view-points of different stakeholders into strategic options for growth
• Ability to structure and deliver executive level presentations
• Ability to gain the trust and confidence of working team members and business leaders

Education

• The position requires a master's degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Chemistry, Marketing, Accounting, Finance, or related field of study plus 3 years of experience.
• The employer will alternatively accept a bachelor's degree plus 6 years of experience in lieu of a master's degree plus 3 years of strategy consultancy experience.

Experience

• The position requires demonstrated experience in developing business and/or product strategies within a business-to-business or business-to-consumer, large corporate environment (Fortune 500).
• Demonstrated experience with project management skills leading multi-functional teams is required.
• Must demonstrate strong strategic thinking and analytical capability and the ability to work in a complex and diversified environment.
• Position requires strong computer skills particularly in effectively presenting concepts and "key takeaway" analysis through use of PowerPoint, other graphic packages, Excel, etc.
• Position requires regular interaction with Vice President and Executive levels within the company and, as such, should have the personal "presence" and communication ability to successfully manage these interactions.

Eastman Chemical Company is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, pregnancy, veteran status or any other protected classes as designated by law.

Eastman is committed to creating a highly engaged workforce, where everyone can contribute to their fullest potential each day.