Product Engineering Specialist - ECoat

Axalta has remained at the forefront of the coatings industry by continually investing in innovative solutions. We engineer technologies that protect customers’ products – whether they are battling heat, light, corrosion, abrasion, moisture, or chemicals – and add dimension and beauty with colourful finishes. We have a vast and ever-evolving portfolio of brands primed to play an important part in everything from modernizing infrastructure around the world to enabling the next generation of electric and autonomous vehicles.

The
** Product Engineering Specialist
** will support developing and implementing program/product strategies in support of Axalta’s Services Strategy. Provide technical expertise to customers in support of our automotive coatings’ portfolio including the development and application of products, processing techniques and resolution of complex problems. Support and lead projects delivering new products to the market. Coordinate the activities of other functions (Technology, Marketing, Sales, and Operations) and other business units in support of product strategies.

** Product Engineering Strategic Functions:*
* * Support the development and management of critical relationships with customer engineering and manufacturing team members within the assigned customer base to support overall growth plan.
* Serve as technical spokesperson for customer materials engineering and paint manufacturing groups.
* Provide a Voice of Customer to the Axalta Sales, Marketing, Technical, and Manufacturing functions.
* Deliver technology reviews and reports to the customer.
* Lead product quality investigations/complaints with recognized problem-solving.
* Prepare and maintain monthly plant quality reports for customers.
* Support new product launches and technology transfers.
* Manage customer product approvals.
* Support and manage PDCA meetings and processes.
* Manage customer projects (LWRs, EPMs, and NPPs) and prioritize project portfolios.
* Contribute technical expertise in translating product data into effective marketing and sales tools.
* Assist the Product Engineering Manager in aligning customer product approvals with Axalta strategies.
* Support Defining VMI requirements and seek VMI improvement opportunities to implement.
** Culture Champion:*
* * Cultivate a strong team culture by enhancing and building highly effective and collaborative cross-functional relationships throughout the business.
* Through integrity and dependability, build relationships at all levels to help support change initiatives that help teams deliver value.
* Continuously identify ways to improve by engaging with staff and bringing perspective on new ideas.
*
* Qualifications:

*
* * Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, Chemical Engineering or related natural sciences curriculum required.
* The ideal candidate will have at least six (6) years of automotive, chemical, or related industry experience to include a combination of sales, technical and marketing experience displaying finance and business acumen.
* Knowledge of paint formulation and application processes preferred.
* Experience working in an R&D environment preferred.
* Experience with the automotive product approval process as well as launching new products to market highly preferred.
* Strong communication skills with the ability to work with all levels of the organization and customers.
* Capable of managing multiple projects and tasks simultaneously while supporting and leading multi-functional teams.
* Proven problem-solving and analytical skills with data-based decision-making capability.
* Familiarity with problem-solving tools such as 8D, 5-why, Kepner Tregoe, etc.
* Ability to understand customer needs and translate them into product offerings / solutions.
* Proficiency in MS Office is required.
* The ability to collaborate and build teamwork is essential.
* Ability to travel up to 70%.This is an active opening for which we are recruiting to fill immediately.  Axalta operates its business in two segments:
Performance Coatings and Mobility Coatings, which serve four end markets, including Refinish, Industrial, Light Vehicle and Commercial Vehicle, across North America, EMEA,…