PPG Industries

Head of AI Product Validation & MVP Scale-Up

PPG Industries • $130K — $180K *
Pittsburgh, PA 15237Hybrid
Enterprise Technology
8 - 10 years of experience
1 month ago
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10+ years in product management or related roles with increasing responsibility.
  • Bachelor's degree in business, technology, engineering, computer science, or chemistry required.
  • Advanced degree preferred (Master's or Ph.D. in a scientific discipline).
  • Proven track record in validating AI system value propositions in enterprise settings.
  • Experience leading cross-functional teams in complex AI system adoption.

Responsibilities

  • Define and own validation strategy for new digital or AI products with early adopters.
  • Translate insights into clear product direction to enhance differentiation.
  • Lead structured engagement with early adopters to gather feedback and drive adoption.
  • Design iterative learning cycles to convert user feedback into product decisions.
  • Establish and monitor validation metrics to demonstrate value realization.
  • Communicate insights on product scalability to senior stakeholders and sponsors.
  • Lead and develop product managers, fostering a culture of accountability.

Benefits

  • In-person work Monday through Thursday with remote options on Flexible Fridays.
  • Support for career development through collaborative team environments.
Full Job Description
The Head of AI Product Validation & MVP Scale-Up, Early Adopter Validation & MVP Scale-Up is a highly seasoned product leader who validates enterprise product value propositions with early adopters, converts real-world learning into product direction, and prepares successful MVPs for repeatable scale across the enterprise.

Operating with significant autonomy, you will address highly complex, ambiguous, and cross-functional product challenges by testing assumptions with real users, clarifying what drives adoption, and surfacing the business, process, data, and change requirements needed to expand an MVP beyond a pilot. You will influence senior stakeholders through insight, judgment, and demonstrated evidence of market and business value.

Key Responsibilities

Value Proposition Validation & Product Strategy
  • Define and own the validation strategy for new digital or AI-enabled products, ensuring the value proposition is tested with the right early adopter segments.
  • Translate customer, user, and workflow insights into a clear product direction that sharpens differentiation and business relevance.
  • Guide prioritization decisions based on evidence of desirability, feasibility, and business value rather than internal assumptions alone.

Early Adopter Engagement & Learning Loops
  • Lead structured engagement with early adopters to test assumptions, gather feedback, and understand what drives willingness to adopt, expand, and advocate.
  • Design and run iterative learning cycles that convert interviews, pilots, usage data, and stakeholder feedback into concrete product and commercialization decisions.
  • Distinguish signal from noise by identifying the patterns that are relevant for broader enterprise adoption versus one-off requests from pilot users.

Evidence, Metrics & Scale Readiness
  • Establish and monitor validation metrics that demonstrate value realization, user traction, process fit, and readiness for broader rollout.
  • Surface the product, process, data, integration, support, and change management requirements required to move from MVP to enterprise scale.
  • Create evidence-based recommendations on whether to persevere, refine, reposition, or stop an MVP based on observed outcomes and scaling potential.

Cross-Functional Stakeholder Leadership
  • Partner closely with business leaders, product teams, data scientists, engineers, IT, operations, and change leaders to ensure early adopter feedback informs the right enterprise decisions.
  • Act as a consultant, aligning stakeholders around what has been validated, what remains uncertain, and what must be true to scale successfully.
  • Communicate trade-offs, learning, adoption barriers, and scale implications to senior stakeholders and sponsors.

MVP Shaping & Development Governance
  • Define, prioritize, and refine epics, experiments, and user stories required to validate the core value proposition and remove barriers to adoption.
  • Ensure delivered MVP capabilities are fit for learning, measurable in use, and aligned to the questions the business needs answered before scaling.
  • Review outcomes from each release and translate them into backlog decisions that improve both product value and scale readiness.

Commercialization & Scale Transition
  • Build the scale-up case for successful MVPs by clarifying repeatable value, implementation requirements, support needs, and operating model implications.
  • Balance scope, timeline, cost, and learning objectives to maximize both near-term validation and long-term enterprise viability.
  • Identify opportunities to accelerate adoption by removing friction in onboarding, integration, governance, training, and stakeholder ownership.

People Leadership & Team Management
  • Lead, manage, and develop product managers or cross-functional product resources, setting clear expectations for customer validation, learning velocity, and business impact.
  • Provide coaching, mentorship, and performance feedback to strengthen product judgment, discovery practices, and stakeholder effectiveness.
  • Assign work based on capability and experience while enabling team members to operate with appropriate autonomy.
  • Serve as an escalation point for complex product, adoption, and scale-readiness decisions.
  • Foster a culture of accountability, evidence-based decision-making, collaboration, and continuous improvement.


Qualifications
  • 10+ years of progressively increasing responsibility in product management, product strategy, innovation, venture incubation, digital transformation, or related enterprise roles.
  • Bachelor's degree required in business, technology, engineering, computer science, chemistry, or a related field.
  • Advanced degree preferred; master's or Ph.D. in chemistry or a related scientific discipline
  • Demonstrated success validating AI system value propositions across enterprise functions, with particular depth in science- and technology-oriented domains.
  • Experience leading cross-functional teams and influencing stakeholders through ambiguity to move complex AI systems from MVP to broader enterprise adoption; strong familiarity with R&D, applied science, or adjacent technical environments preferred.


How we work: At PPG, we bring teams together to accelerate collaboration and career development, with in-person work Monday through Thursday and the opportunity to work remotely on Flexible Fridays. Schedules may vary by location.

About PPG Industries

PPG Industrial Coatings is a global supplier of paints, coatings, optical products, and building materials. They have been pioneering in complete solutions focused on technology and quality in the industrial market.

PPG Industries Careers

Join the vibrant team at PPG Industries, a leader in diversified coatings and specialty materials, where innovation thrives and career growth is fostered. At PPG Industries, we are committed to providing a dynamic work environment that encourages professional development and leadership.

Work You’ll Do

At PPG Industries, your work will directly contribute to the company's mission of protecting and beautifying the world. As part of our team, you will use your skills to advance coating technologies, collaborate on industry-leading projects, and help customers navigate their challenges in new and innovative ways.

Join Our Market-Leading Team

Become a part of a company where diversity and inclusion fuel our success. PPG Industries is home to a global team of professionals dedicated to operational excellence and innovative solutions. Here, you can lead in the marketplace by leveraging our industry expertise and global reach.

Innovative Work

Engage in work that makes a difference. PPG Industries is at the forefront of developing sustainable solutions that customers depend on to enhance their products and protect the environment. Our commitment to innovation is evident in every layer of our business, from research and development to marketing and sales.

Career Development

Future-proof your career at PPG Industries. We offer a wealth of job opportunities and paths to advancement, supported by comprehensive training and diversity programs. Whether you're seeking an internship, an entry-level position, or a leadership role, PPG provides the resources and support to help you succeed.

Be Part of a Great Team

Our culture is built on collaboration and respect, with a focus on achieving collective goals. At PPG Industries, you’ll work alongside talented individuals who share your passion for excellence and innovation. Together, we drive the industry forward, making an impact on a global scale.

Explore Job Opportunities

PPG Industries is hiring! Explore open positions that match your skills and interests. We look for passionate, curious, and solution-driven team players. From internships to full-time roles, each position offers a chance to thrive in a nurturing environment.

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with the latest career tips, industry insights, and company news—all from the people who work at PPG Industries. Personalize your experience by subscribing to job alert emails, tailored to your preferences and professional goals.

Networking and Professional Growth

Take advantage of PPG’s extensive networking opportunities. Connect with leaders and peers within the company through various platforms and events. Enhance your resume, prepare for your next interview, and build relationships that could shape the future of your career. At PPG Industries, we don’t just offer jobs—we offer careers filled with growth, support, and endless possibilities. Join us and be part of a company that values innovation, leadership, and a diverse and inclusive workplace.
Learn more about PPG Industries
Size
49,300 employees
Market Cap
$29.5 billion
Industry
Food & Beverages
Net Income
$1 billion
Founded
1983
5 Year Trend
+3.3%
Revenue
$13.8 billion
NASDAQ
PPG
* Ladders Estimates

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