Group Leader: Technical Product Development Leader- Next Generation Coatings

Technical Product Development Leader - Next-Generation Coatings

PPG Industries

Columbus Ohio

*This role has been pre-approved for cross-regional transfers. Internal employees from other regions are encouraged to apply. This includes EMEA, APAC, & LATAM

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Technical People Leader to join PPG's Automotive Refinish business within the USCA technical organization based in Delaware, Columbus area, OH. As a Team Lead, you will have the exciting opportunity to lead a team of 11 talented chemists with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

PPG's Automotive Refinish business is a recognized leader in innovation, color, and technology within the refinish and commercial coatings industry. Our products deliver technologically advanced coating systems, services, and support, catering to high-end applications such as: Signs and theme parks, Commercial transport, Heavy equipment & Light industrial applications

This business is currently experiencing tremendous growth, leading to the expansion of our technical team. The primary objective of this role is to retain existing business and drive growth, focusing on building a portfolio of next-generation coatings while also handling product support with a customer-facing element.

This position presents a unique opportunity for career growth, allowing you to build upon your leadership experience and expand your skillset in a dynamic, innovative environment.

Key Responsibilities

Lead and Develop a High-Performing Team:

• Manage and inspire a team of 11 talented chemists with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

• Foster a collaborative and engaging work environment by demonstrating exemplary leadership aligned with PPG Way to Lead behaviors.

• Drive team performance through clear goal-setting, accountability, and regular feedback.

• Identify, develop, and retain top talent to ensure a robust succession pipeline for future organizational growth.

• Build trust-based relationships with direct reports and key stakeholders to ensure alignment and mutual success.

• Promote a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and data-driven decision-making.

Product Development Leadership:

• Lead efforts to rebuild the product portfolio, focusing on next-generation coating technologies that align with market needs and PPG's innovation strategy.

• Drive the development of sustainable solutions by prioritizing environmentally friendly formulations and replacing materials of concern with safer, more effective alternatives.

• Oversee product development initiatives for Light Industrial Coatings and Matthews Paints, ensuring alignment with industry trends and customer expectations.

• Lead critical projects such as Oxsol replacements, delivering solutions that address both immediate challenges and long-term growth opportunities.

• Leverage PPG's global scale and vast intellectual property portfolio, utilizing the search and reapply technique to drive the development of next-generation coating technologies that meet evolving market demands.

• Streamline product complexity to improve operational efficiency and maintain a customer-focused development strategy.

Drive Growth in Key Market Segments:

• Collaborate with the marketing organization to develop and execute a technical support strategy that aligns with growth objectives in the Heavy Duty Truck (HDT) OEM segment.

• Support innovation and application strategies that cater to high-growth markets such as trailers, oilfield equipment, railcars, and heavy equipment.

Product Support with a Customer-Facing Focus:

• Define and communicate clear expectations for deliverables on technical service requests.

• Develop team expertise in leveraging statistical tools for data analysis and decision-making.

• Utilize a risk-based process development approach to ensure timely, effective, and customer-focused product support.

Promote Safety and Workplace Excellence:

• Ensure a safe, organized, and clean work environment by adhering to and promoting best practices in safety and cleanliness.

• Champion a culture of safety awareness and compliance within the team.

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or Materials Science with 5-7 years of industrial experience, or

• Master's degree with 10 years of industrial experience, or

• Bachelor's degree with 20 years of industrial experience.

• Proven experience leading a team in a technical environment, preferably in product development or product support (minimum 3 years).

• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.

• Extensive experience in formulation development, testing, and regulatory compliance.

• Deep understanding of market trends, customer needs, and industry standards.

• Analytical problem-solving skills, with a focus on delivering innovative, high-impact solutions.

About us:

Here at PPG we make it happen, and we seek candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our values, with the commitment and drive to strive today to do better than yesterday - everyday.

PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD

Through leadership in innovation, sustainability and color, PPG helps customers in industrial, transportation, consumer products, and construction markets and aftermarkets to enhance more surfaces in more ways than does any other company. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com and follow @ PPG on Twitter.

The PPG Way

Every single day at PPG:

We partner with customers to create mutual value.

We are "One PPG" to the world.

We trust our people every day, in every way.

We make it happen.

We run it like we own it.

We do better today than yesterday - everyday.

PPG provides equal opportunity to all candidates and employees. We offer an opportunity to grow and develop your career in an environment that provides a fulfilling workplace for employees, creates an environment for continuous learning, and embraces the ideas and diversity of others. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, pregnancy, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, disability status, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. If you need assistance to complete your application due to a disability, please email recruiting@ppg.com.

PPG values your feedback on our recruiting process. We encourage you to visit Glassdoor.com and provide feedback on the process, so that we can do better today than yesterday.

Benefits will be discussed with you by your recruiter during the hiring process.