Associate Director – Science & Technology, Aerospace - Transparencies

PPG IndustriesSylmar California

Reporting to: General Manager, Aerospace - Transparencies

Aerospace is a key business in PPG and a strategic supplier to the Aerospace industry. The Aerospace - Transparencies business operates across four manufacturing locations with a presence in all geographic regions and supporting all markets (Commerical, General Aviation and Military) The Associate Director will lead a global technology team of approximately 40 professionals across organic, inorganic, urethane, and polymer groups, with material labs in Huntsville, Sylmar, and Texas. This role focuses on developing and deploying an effective technology strategy for the Aerospace - Transparencies business, driving the creation of an Aerospace sub-Strategic Business Unit (SBU) with an FAA/EASA-regulated mindset. With intense growth and increasing competition, product and parts development, technology, and technical service leadership are critical drivers for growth. Functional excellence across all aspects of the global Aerospace - Transparencies technical organization (e.g., advantaged products, robust product launches, complexity reduction, and Six Sigma quality) is an increasingly important contributor to achieving profitable sales growth. The performance of the Associate Director and their team will be critical to the long-term success of the business.

As a key member of the Global Aerospace - Transparencies leadership team, this role will drive technology investments, business model changes, go-to-market strategies, intellectual property strategies, and both organic and inorganic growth strategies, while sponsoring and advocating for programs to secure stakeholder alignment.

Key Responsibilities

Participate as a member of the Aerospace - Transparencies Global Leadership team to set policies and strategies for operations through leadership team meetings, the long-range planning process (LRP), Business Strategy Review (BSR) processes, and the business alignment matrix.Direct and manage compliance with PPG Blueprint objectives, the PPG P&L process, PPG corporate EHS policy, PPG Intellectual Property (IP) policies, PPG Quality policy, PPG Business Conduct policies, PPG Code of Ethics, Responsible Care, EEO accountabilities, FAA regulations, and customer quality programs.Provide leadership in organic, inorganic, materials, and product development activities, developing and implementing new research and/or product development programs and scale-up activities for the Aerospace - Transparencies industry.Lead global experts to provide the vision, direction, and clarity of execution required by the business BSR plan to deliver cost-effective strategies that enable stability in profit contributions.Coordinate and integrate Aerospace - Transparencies development activities and Product Management directives with all technical strategies to ensure alignment with ongoing market trends and profitability targets.Support Sales and Business Development Managers and sales/service organizations on product acceptance and market needs to ensure customer satisfaction, effective technology development, and appropriate pricing strategies.Partner with global R&D colleagues and leverage technical expertise across PPG to benefit multiple PPG market applications.Lead the PPG Way by building diverse and inclusive workplaces that attract and retain talented individuals seeking rewarding long-term careers in the coatings industry.Foster collaboration to eliminate silos between technical teams and plant operations, ensuring seamless communication and alignment across functions.

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will possess a minimum of a Master's degree (PhD strongly preferred) in Materials Science or Polymers, with a blend of applications-driven materials science and development-oriented chemistry expertise. Candidates with metals-focused backgrounds are not preferred. A minimum of 20 years' experience in progressively senior technical leadership roles is required, with a proven track record in leadership, technical achievements, general business/financial practices, and people management.The role demands 80% leadership focus, driving team performance and strategic alignment, and 20-30% technical expertise in chemical materials, with proficiency in Science & Technology best practices, including “Engineering Sales & Operations Planning” (eS&OP) – management of the engineering capacity vs demand, Program Management, and engineering development processes. Prior experience with advanced materials research, coatings, transparent polymers, conductive transparent films, analytical techniques, materials characterization, surface analysis, and identifying/solving manufacturing root causes is desirable. Candidates should demonstrate strong written and oral communication skills, independently seek solutions, ask questions as needed, and work effectively across all levels, including customers, employees, production operators, and upper management. Peer-reviewed publications, grant writing, Lean/Six Sigma tools, and experience in a manufacturing site are highly desirable. A passion for profitable technical innovation, communication, team-building, and driving success is essential, along with a demonstrated project execution track record and the ability to lead a strong technical team.The candidate should have the ability to create a vision, lead a large team, and interface effectively with all levels and functions of the organization. Experience working in a matrixed organization and managing product stewardship in a global market environment is required. Proven records of managing complex projects and capital projects are key competencies. The candidate must have a track record of motivating and developing others and driving growth in a team developing complex and challenging materials, utilizing their experience to identify, propose, and manage the execution of new developments to expand PPG's Aerospace - Transparencies capabilities. Experience in organizations with non-siloed cultures, demonstrating strong communication and collaboration practices that enable seamless supplier interactions and operational efficiency, is highly valued.Attributes and CompetenciesUnderstanding the Business: Knows the business and mission-critical technical and functional skills needed to perform the job. Understands various business propositions and how businesses operate, with broad interests and the ability to learn new methods and technologies easily. Possesses business acumen and critical-thinking skills to align senior management, the technology organization, and business leaders around the technology roadmap.Customer-Centric: Understands customer issues and key business drivers to ensure technology investments provide substantial value creation or improvements. Generates profit-making initiatives with disciplined risk and return criteria, leveraging cross-functional or cross-industry relationships to deliver results.Leading Teams and Inspiring: Skilled at getting individuals, teams, and the organization to perform at a higher level and embrace change. Negotiates skillfully to achieve fair outcomes or promote a common cause, communicates a compelling vision, and inspires others while building motivated, high-performing teams. Creates an environment that encourages innovation and offers opportunities for team members to develop skills and grow. Provides mentoring and coaching to a strong, multi-disciplined, global technology team.Building Relationships and Being Organizationally Savvy: Maneuvers effectively to get things done, knowing where to go to get what is needed while being politically, globally, and culturally aware. Works across boundaries and deep into the business to align people and ideas for impactful results. Proactively identifies and resolves challenges, fostering collaboration to eliminate silos between technical teams and plant operations. Presents views and arguments well, is approachable, warm, friendly, and interpersonally mature, making a positive first impression and building solid relationships. Possesses the highest ethical standards and integrity, instilling these values into the organization.

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.

PPG pay ranges and benefits can vary by location which allows us to compensate employees competitively in different geographic markets. PPG considers several factors in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, qualifications and education, licensure and certifications, and other organizational needs. Other incentives may apply. 
 
Our employee benefits programs are designed to support the health and well-being of our employees. Any insurance coverages and benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.
 

\nAbout us:

\n \n 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.
\n
\n PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD™
\n \n 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.
\n
\n The PPG Way
\n Every single day at PPG:
\n We partner with customers to create mutual value.
\n We are “One PPG” to the world.
\n We trust our people every day, in every way.
\n We make it happen.
\n We run it like we own it.
\n We do better today than yesterday – everyday.

\n \n 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, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. If you need assistance to complete your application due to a disability, please email recruiting@ppg.com.

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