What are the responsibilities and job description for the Product Engineering Specialist - JOEM position at Axalta?
Primary Responsibilities
The Product Engineering Specialist - JOEM will support developing and implementing program/product strategies in support of Axalta’s Global Services Strategy. Provide technical expertise to Japanese OEM (JOEM) customer base 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 the product strategies.
Product Engineering Strategic Functions:
- Support the development and management of critical relationships with customer engineering and manufacturing team members within Japanese OEM (JOEM) customer base.
- Serve as technical spokesperson to 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, FWRs, EPMs) and prioritize project portfolio.
- 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.
Minimum Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Engineering or related applied sciences curriculum required.
- Fluent in Japanese and English preferred.
- The ideal candidate will have at least six (6) years of automotive, chemical, or related industry experience with Japanese OEMs (JOEM), including 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 and bringing new products to market is 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.
- Ability to understand customer needs and translate them into product offerings / solutions.
- Strong data processing skills.
- Proficiency in MS Office preferred.
- Ability to collaborate and build teamwork is essential.
- Ability to travel up to 35%.
Overview
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 colorful 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.
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, Latin America and Asia-Pacific. Our diverse global footprint allows us to deliver solutions in over 140 countries and coat 30 million vehicles per year. We’ve recently set an exciting 2040 carbon neutrality goal, in addition to 10 other sustainability initiatives, and we take pride in working with our customers to optimize their businesses and achieve their goals.
