PPG Industries

Product Manager - Formulation AI Platform

PPG Industries$90K — $130K *
Enterprise Technology
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in a technical or business field.
  • 3+ years in product management, data science, or AI/ML product roles.
  • Strong experience with AI/ML-based product development and user-centered design.
  • Proven experience leading activation, onboarding, or adoption programs for digital or AI products.
  • Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
  • Understanding of distributed systems and cloud computing (AWS, Azure preferred).
  • Willingness to travel 30-40%.

Responsibilities

  • Partner with Activation PMs to define activation strategy and roadmap for the Formulation Platform.
  • Shape platform requirements based on user goals and insights from MVP and Activation teams.
  • Translate business needs into platform requirements and user stories.
  • Evaluate feature requests and manage tradeoffs for scalability and feasibility.
  • Guide user experience considerations that impact activation success.
  • Design and evolve platform enablement programs for AI capabilities adoption.
  • Lead cross-functional teams through full product development lifecycle.
  • Facilitate design sessions and workshops to align on platform goals and dependencies.
  • Establish and monitor platform health metrics for continuous improvement.
  • Build business cases tied to platform capabilities and product activation.

Benefits

  • Collaborative team environment to accelerate career development.
  • In-person work Monday through Thursday with flexible remote work on Fridays.
  • Varied schedules by location to support work-life balance.
Full Job Description
The Formulation AI Platform PM is responsible for building and scaling the platform capabilities that enable activation of new Formulation AI product families. In this mid-level role, you will drive the delivery of a scalable, reusable platform - coordinating enhancements across engineering, data science, and business teams - while translating technical capabilities into measurable business value for leadership and stakeholders across the chemicals and manufacturing organization.

You will operate in a complex, cross-functional environment with a high degree of ambiguity, balancing technical depth with strategic communication and prioritization.

Key Responsibilities

1. Activation Strategy & Delivery
  • Partner with Activation PM's to define the end-to-end activation strategy, roadmap, and OKRs for the Formulation Platform, covering awareness, onboarding, enablement, and expansion.
  • Shape platform requirements based on deep understanding of user goals, operational constraints, and input from MVP and Activation teams.
  • Translate business needs from R&D, manufacturing, and technical teams and into platform requirements, user stories, and backlog items.
  • Evaluate feature requests and manage tradeoffs between scalability, time-to-value, and technical feasibility in a fast-moving development environment.
  • Accept completed work, review increments, and guide user experience considerations that impact activation success

2. Platform Scalability & Adoption Enablement
  • Design and evolve platform enablement programs - including onboarding guides, playbooks, and internal champion networks - to drive adoption of new Formulation AI capabilities.
  • Identify process changes required to embed AI-driven formulation workflows into daily R&D and manufacturing operations.

3. Cross-Functional Collaboration & Technical Alignment
  • Lead cross-functional teams including data scientists, ML engineers, IT, domain experts, and business stakeholders through the full product development lifecycle.
  • Facilitate design sessions, requirement workshops, and architecture reviews to align teams on platform goals, dependencies, and constraints.
  • Partner with activation PMs and product owners across formulation domains to ensure platform capabilities are usable, well-documented, and production-ready.
  • Serve as a bridge between technical teams and business stakeholders, ensuring alignment on priorities and visibility into delivery progress.
  • Provide content and key decisions for steering meetings as part of the functional AI operating model

4. Data, Telemetry & Integration Awareness
  • Establish and monitor platform health metrics, adoption funnels, and usage analytics to inform prioritization and continuous improvement.
  • Develop a strong understanding of underlying data dependencies, integrations, and infrastructure (cloud, data pipelines, ML model serving) relevant to formulation AI execution.

5. Financials, Partner Management & Operating Model
  • Build business cases and value assessments tied to platform capabilities and new product family activation.
  • Support development and refinement of the operating model for scaling Formulation AI use cases across business units and geographies.
  • Manage partner SOWs for external vendors, prototyping engagements, or AI framework integrations as needed.


Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in a technical or business field.
  • 3+ years in product management, data science, or AI/ML product roles.
  • Strong experience with AI/ML-based product development, user-centered design, and MVP-driven iteration cycles.
  • Proven experience leading activation, onboarding, or adoption programs for digital or AI products.
  • Experience communicating complex technical concepts to a variety of audiences with both technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Understanding of distributed systems, cloud computing (AWS, Azure, Databricks preferred), and software development life cycle
  • Willingness to travel 30-40%.

Preferred
  • Advanced degree (MBA, MS, PhD) in engineering, computer science, data-related fields, or a scientific discipline.
  • Background in platform product management, API product strategy, or developer-facing products.
  • Familiarity with MLOps, data engineering, or AI/ML model lifecycle management.
  • Experience building or scaling AI adoption programs within large, matrixed organizations.
  • Experience with Agile, SAFe, or similar delivery methodologies.


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
Net Income
$1 billion
Founded
1983
5 Year Trend
+3.3%
Revenue
$13.8 billion
NASDAQ

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