What are the responsibilities and job description for the Global Product Manager, Commercial Vehicle & Automotive Plastic Coatings (CV/APC) position at Axalta?
Job Title: Global Product Manager, Commercial Vehicle & Automotive Plastic Coatings (CV/APC)
Job Summary: The Global Product Manager (GPM) for Commercial Vehicle & Automotive Plastic Coatings (CV/APC) is responsible for leading the platform roadmap, resin system strategy, and lifecycle performance across all relevant coating technologies and layers. This role ensures Axalta delivers competitive, scalable, and profitable solutions across the CV and APC markets globally. The GPM collaborates cross-functionally to drive platform upgrades, define new product investments, and guide regional alignment on product evolution.
Key Responsibilities
Platform Strategy & Roadmap Development
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.
1.2 - First/Mid Level Officials and Managers (EEO-1 Job Categories-United States of America)
Job Summary: The Global Product Manager (GPM) for Commercial Vehicle & Automotive Plastic Coatings (CV/APC) is responsible for leading the platform roadmap, resin system strategy, and lifecycle performance across all relevant coating technologies and layers. This role ensures Axalta delivers competitive, scalable, and profitable solutions across the CV and APC markets globally. The GPM collaborates cross-functionally to drive platform upgrades, define new product investments, and guide regional alignment on product evolution.
Key Responsibilities
Platform Strategy & Roadmap Development
- Own the global roadmap for CV/APC coatings platforms (basecoat, clearcoat, primer, etc.)
- Align resin systems and performance specs with customer needs and market trends
- Identify and prioritize opportunities for growth, cost reduction, or complexity optimization
- Partner with the Director, Product Management to shape New Product Platform (NPP) business cases for CV/APC
- Serve as the commercial lead in the early stages of the innovation process, ensuring strong VOC, strategic fit, and value potential
- Support resin and formulation development with clear technical and economic targets
- Monitor product performance, profitability, and NPP valuation by platform and region
- Drive resin platform transitions and simplification strategies in collaboration with tech and ops
- Influence Existing Product Modification (EPM) project boundaries to ensure regional modifications align with global standards
- Act as the global voice of CV/APC platform strategy with regional product and program managers
- Partner with technology, marketing, commercial, and operations teams to ensure feasibility and delivery
- Support commercial teams in major customer discussions, RFPs, and product positioning
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, chemistry, or business; advanced degree preferred
- 5 years in product management, coatings systems, or commercial vehicle/plastics segment experience
- Demonstrated ability to lead roadmaps, guide innovation investments, and influence across functions
- Familiarity with Stage-Gate innovation processes and global portfolio governance
- Strong business acumen with ability to link product decisions to platform profitability, growth potential, and operational feasibility
- Travel: approx. 30% global travel expected to support regional alignment, gate reviews, and VOC initiatives.
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.
1.2 - First/Mid Level Officials and Managers (EEO-1 Job Categories-United States of America)