Technical Manager, Powder Coatings

Overview

Technical Manager, Powder Coatings

PPG Industries

Cleveland, Ohio, or Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

PPG is a global leader in paints, coatings, and specialty materials, with Powder Coatings playing a pivotal role in driving sustainable innovation. Our Powder Coatings technologies are prized for their environmental benefits, including zero volatile organic compounds (VOCs), reduced waste, and energy efficiency compared to traditional liquid coatings. These solutions have a significant global impact, supporting industries by enabling durable, high-performance finishes that enhance product longevity and reduce environmental footprints.

At PPG, Powder Coatings are integral to our Industrial Coatings, Automotive, and Refinish business units, with emerging applications like laser curing methods that allow for faster, more precise, and energy-efficient processing. We are seeking a dynamic leader to serve as the face of Powder Coatings, managing key stakeholders across the organization and industry, while holding teams accountable to deliver cutting-edge solutions.

As the Technical Manager you will manage a large sized team of professionals, including chemists and technicians, distributed across four locations:
Strongsville, OH;
Grand Haven, MI;
Brazil, IN; and Gainesville, TX. The position is based preferably in Strongsville, OH, with flexibility for Pittsburgh, PA. This role reports to the Regional Technical Director - Industrial Coatings. Travel up to 25% (domestic and international) is required.

• Lead and inspire a team of chemists and technicians across four sites (Strongsville, OH; Grand Haven, MI; Brazil, IN; Gainesville, TX), fostering a culture of innovative problem-solving, accountability, and increased productivity to consistently deliver exceptional service to customers and stakeholders.
• Provide ongoing development and coaching for direct reports and the broader team, cultivating talent, promoting diversity, and maintaining high performance standards.
• Serve as the primary face of PPG's Powder Coatings division, building and managing relationships with internal stakeholders (e.g., manufacturing, commercial, supply chain, and product stewardship teams) and external partners, while holding all parties accountable for aligned goals and outcomes.
• Enhance customer relationships by thoroughly understanding their objectives and delivering effective solutions to their challenges, leveraging PPG's sustainable Powder Coatings technologies that minimize environmental impact and support global sustainability initiatives.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with various teams, including Industrial Coatings, Automotive, and Refinish business units, to ensure timely delivery of the appropriate products, proactively addressing and overcoming any obstacles.
• Establish and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with manufacturing, commercial, supply chain, and product stewardship teams to advance Powder Coatings innovations, such as laser cure applications that enable rapid curing and expanded use in high-volume industries.
• Represent the Powder Coatings technical team and the broader S&T organization confidently and respectfully to customers and the coating industry, highlighting the global impact of our technologies in reducing emissions, improving efficiency, and serving diverse sectors like automotive refinishing and industrial applications.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of product portfolios and the underlying chemistry and engineering principles specific to powder coatings, including sustainable formulations, application methods (e.g., electrostatic and laser cure), and their role in PPG's business units.
• Design and implement robust programs and processes aimed at reducing portfolio complexity, modifying platform products to address portfolio gaps, and facilitating the commercialization of new technologies in partnership with product development teams, emphasizing sustainability and real-world impact.

• Ph.D., Master s, or Bachelor s Degree in Chemistry, Engineering, or Materials Science is required.
• Seven (7) or more years of experience in research, product development, and/or manufacturing, with a focus on coating technologies.
• Powder coatings or formulation experience highly preferred, including knowledge of sustainable applications and innovations like laser curing.
• Five (5) or more years of experience leading a team, ideally in a multi-site environment with stakeholder management responsibilities.
• Previous experience working with internal stakeholders and external customers required, with a proven ability to hold teams accountable and drive results.
• Project management / product commercialization experience preferred, particularly in sustainable technologies.
• Strongsville, OH is the preferred homebase location, however open to Pittsburgh-based homebase.

Here at PPG we make it happen, and we seek candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our values, with the…