Christopher Kiczek
South Lyon
Summary
Dynamic OEM Manager with extensive experience at Teknor Apex Company, excelling in market analysis and strategic planning. Proven track record in driving business development and enhancing customer relationships. Skilled in OEM specifications and product pricing, delivering impactful results in competitive automotive markets. Adept at identifying opportunities and fostering collaboration for success.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
OEM Manager – Automotive – NA - Corporate
Teknor Apex Company
11.2023 - Current
- Company Overview: International custom compounder specializing in vinyl, thermoplastic elastomer, ETP, color, & chemicals.
- OEM Manager – coordinates the gathering and analysis of market intelligence (OEM sales, platform information, specifications, colors, etc).
- Identify OEM needs in the context of new business opportunities and applications.
- OEM Specification development and approvals, color submissions, new technology marketing
- International custom compounder specializing in vinyl, thermoplastic elastomer, ETP, color, & chemicals.
Automotive Market Manager - PVC Division
Teknor Apex Company
01.2008 - 11.2023
- Company Overview: International custom compounder specializing in vinyl, thermoplastic elastomer, ETP, color, & chemicals.
- NA Automotive Manager – coordinates the gathering and analysis of market and product intelligence.
- Analyzes market trends and customer needs in the context of new business opportunities.
- Direct product pricing and contract negotiations.
- Annual business plan, and 5 year strategic planning.
- International custom compounder specializing in vinyl, thermoplastic elastomer, ETP, color, & chemicals.
Automotive Account Manager – TPE Division
Teknor Apex Company
11.2005 - 01.2008
- Company Overview: International custom compounder specializing in vinyl, thermoplastic elastomer, ETP, color, & chemicals.
- Account manager for various tier automotive accounts and OEM contacts, pricing, and new business development.
- International custom compounder specializing in vinyl, thermoplastic elastomer, ETP, color, & chemicals.
Marketing Team Leader
RheTech, Inc
Whitmore Lake
04.1999 - 11.2005
- Company Overview: Polyolefin Compounder (Long Glass Fiber PP, TPOs, Glass, Talk, Mics, co-Reinforced, Pre-colored PPs)
- DaimlerChrysler Platform Marketing – Material submissions for approvals / specification development at CTC & JTE.
- Responsibilities include design / release platform and material engineering contacts, purchasing, and design studio.
- Various DCX Tier 1 account (Lear, C&A, Faurecia, & Magna) advance engineering / platform engineering, VA/VE, market development, business unit management, plant contacts & commercial activities.
- Team Leader of 2 direct and 1 non-direct RheTech employees responsible for maintaining and developing strategic accounts.
- Toyota Platform Marketing – Market development, material submissions and development at TMC-TTC.
- Non-Automotive Long Glass Fiber PP, Blow-Molding, and Flame Retardant grades – Market development / studies for new market / business opportunities (Maytag, Whirlpool and Electrolux)
- Polyolefin Compounder (Long Glass Fiber PP, TPOs, Glass, Talk, Mics, co-Reinforced, Pre-colored PPs)
Paid-on-Call Firefighter / EMT
Novi Fire Department
Novi
11.1994 - 06.2002
- Company Overview: Combination fire department: four fire stations with full time staffing weekdays, paid-on-call for weeknights and weekends. Covering approx. 31 sq. miles and averaging 3000 calls annually.
- Firefighter I / EMT Basic
- HAZMAT & Confined Space Rescue
- Engine / Pump Operator License
- Combination fire department: four fire stations with full time staffing weekdays, paid-on-call for weeknights and weekends. Covering approx. 31 sq. miles and averaging 3000 calls annually.
Chrysler Account Manager
Fina Oil & Chemical Co.
Troy
02.1998 - 04.1999
- Company Overview: Global neat polyolefin producer (Homopolymer, Copolymer, Impact Copolymer, HDPE) and compounding joint venture (TPOs, Glass, Mica, and Talc.)
- Responsible for all direct contact with Chrysler and tier suppliers.
- Materials engineering, design studio, design / release engineering and purchasing.
- Global neat polyolefin producer (Homopolymer, Copolymer, Impact Copolymer, HDPE) and compounding joint venture (TPOs, Glass, Mica, and Talc.)
Chrysler Marketing Representative
RheTech, Inc
Whitmore Lake
04.1997 - 02.1998
- Company Overview: Polyolefin Compounder (Long Glass Fiber PP, TPOs, Glass, Talk, Mics, co-Reinforced, Pre-colored PPs)
- Material and color submissions for approval at CTC and JTE.
- Platform engineering contacts.
- Chrysler SCORE Champion.
- Polyolefin Compounder (Long Glass Fiber PP, TPOs, Glass, Talk, Mics, co-Reinforced, Pre-colored PPs)
Technical Sales Representative
RheTech, Inc
Whitmore Lake
01.1997 - 04.1997
- Company Overview: Polyolefin Compounder (Long Glass Fiber PP, TPOs, Glass, Talk, Mics, co-Reinforced, Pre-colored PPs)
- Tier supplier contacts (purchasing and design engineering), mold trials, part design and analysis, and mold flow analysis.
- Polyolefin Compounder (Long Glass Fiber PP, TPOs, Glass, Talk, Mics, co-Reinforced, Pre-colored PPs)
Technical Service Representative
RheTech, Inc
Whitmore Lake
06.1996 - 01.1997
- Company Overview: Polyolefin Compounder (Long Glass Fiber PP, TPOs, Glass, Talk, Mics, co-Reinforced, Pre-colored PPs)
- Material specifications, mold trials, part design and analysis, mold design, and mold flow analysis.
- Polyolefin Compounder (Long Glass Fiber PP, TPOs, Glass, Talk, Mics, co-Reinforced, Pre-colored PPs)
Intern Engineer
RheTech, Inc
Whitmore Lake
05.1996 - 06.1996
- Company Overview: Polyolefin Compounder (Long Glass Fiber PP, TPOs, Glass, Talk, Mics, co-Reinforced, Pre-colored PPs)
- Analytical Laboratory – Testing for CDAs and cert packages.
- 30mm Twin Screw Extruder sample line operator.
- Product Development Engineer.
- Polyolefin Compounder (Long Glass Fiber PP, TPOs, Glass, Talk, Mics, co-Reinforced, Pre-colored PPs)
Intern Process Engineer
Chivas Products Ltd
Canton
03.1995 - 05.1996
- Company Overview: Custom molder of interior trim and lighting components.
- Custom molder of interior trim and lighting components.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Plastics Technologies
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI01.1996
Skills
- Market analysis
- OEM specifications
- Product pricing
- Strategic planning
- Business development
- Customer relationship management
Accomplishments
- Victor Baxt Award, Teknor Apex, 2015, PVC Colored Automotive Compounds
- PVC Divisional Award, Teknor Apex, 2014, Develop PVC Auto Market
- Norman Fain Award, Teknor Apex, 2012, PVC Heat Stabile Compounds for Auto Market
- Plastics Student of the Year, Eastern Michigan, 1996
- Academic Honor Roll, Eastern Michigan, 1994 - 1996
Hobbies and Interests
- Tennis
- Golf
- Ice Hockey
- Alpine Skiing
- Hiking
References
Available upon request.
Activities
- Jeep Jamboree USA, 2007 - Present
- Ann Arbor Dog Training Club, 2007 - 2023
- Sports Car Club of America, SCCA, 1999 - 2025
- Novi Firefighters Association, 1995 - 2002
- Society of Automotive Engineers, 1992 - 2005
- Society of Plastics Engineers, 1992 - 2005
Affiliations
- Jeep Jamboree (2009 - Present)
- Jeep Jamboree Trail Guide (2016 - Present)
- SCCA (2003 - 2025)
Timeline
OEM Manager – Automotive – NA - Corporate
Teknor Apex Company
11.2023 - Current
Automotive Market Manager - PVC Division
Teknor Apex Company
01.2008 - 11.2023
Automotive Account Manager – TPE Division
Teknor Apex Company
11.2005 - 01.2008
Marketing Team Leader
RheTech, Inc
04.1999 - 11.2005
Chrysler Account Manager
Fina Oil & Chemical Co.
02.1998 - 04.1999
Chrysler Marketing Representative
RheTech, Inc
04.1997 - 02.1998
Technical Sales Representative
RheTech, Inc
01.1997 - 04.1997
Technical Service Representative
RheTech, Inc
06.1996 - 01.1997
Intern Engineer
RheTech, Inc
05.1996 - 06.1996
Intern Process Engineer
Chivas Products Ltd
03.1995 - 05.1996
Paid-on-Call Firefighter / EMT
Novi Fire Department
11.1994 - 06.2002
Bachelor of Science - Plastics Technologies
Eastern Michigan University
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