Product Manager Industrial Materials Thermal Spray
We are looking for a Product Manager, Industrial Thermal Spray Materials to lead and accelerate growth of our carbides and oxides thermal spray materials portfolio across key industrial markets. Location for this role can be an Oerlikon location or remote, with regular global interaction and customer engagement.
In this position, you will own the product strategy and commercial success of a critical materials portfolio serving wide base of industries such as oil & gas, pulp & paper, mining, and automotive, with further expansion into aerospace materials and other products possible. You will act as the technical and commercial interface for Sales, strategic accounts, and key customers, manage R&D pipeline for your portfolio and closely co-operate with Operations to deliver differentiated, profitable solutions.
Your Responsibilities
Market, Customer & Commercial Development
- Own product strategy, technology, value propositions, and competitive positioning for the portfolio
- Drive spec-in, qualifications, trials, and customer adoption across OEMs, end users, and job shops
- Build demand and growth initiatives with Sales; support channels and ensure strong value-based pricing and margin realization
R&D and Lifecycle Management
- Funnel market-driven requirements into R&D; initiate development projects with clear business cases
- Define targets and priorities for R&D activities based on strategic importance and commercial impact
- Interface with lifecycle management to keep the portfolio focused, competitive, and efficient
Operations & Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Collaborate with Operations, manufacturing plants, sourcing, and quality to ensure market expectations are met
- Steer operational priorities using market insight to enhance performance, cost position, and profitability
Competitive Intelligence
- Actively monitor the competitive landscape and market trends
- Gather and distribute business-critical competitive insights to key stakeholders
Leadership & Influence
- Mobilize cross-functional resources across Sales, R&D, Operations, and Marketing without formal line authority
- Drive growth through focused, efficient, and execution-oriented initiatives
- Build a strong internal and external network to influence decisions and accelerate outcomes
Key Outputs & Performance Measures
- Revenue and gross margin growth of the portfolio in focus segments
- Improved market visibility, fast qualification cycles, and high customer satisfaction
- Successful qualifications and increased share of wallet at key accounts
- Effective collaboration with Sales and strong leverage of distributors and digital channels
Your Profile
- Master’s degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field; thermal spray or advanced degree a plus
- Strong experience in thermal spray-related product management, R&D, business development, or technical sales; combination preferred
- Strong and proven knowledge of thermal spray technologies, materials, and industrial applications
- Strong commercial acumen with a hands-on, customer-oriented mindset
- Willingness to travel globally up to ~30%
Additional Skills & Expertise
- Customer-centric problem solver with the ability to link technical performance to business value
- Experience in sales enablement, including distributors and e-commerce channels
- Strong cross-functional collaboration skills across Sales, R&D, Marketing, and Operations
- Ability to lead, influence, and drive change without formal authority
We offer
- Opportunity to influence the future of thermal spray with the industry leader
- An intellectually stimulating role in a truly global, dynamic organization with strong growth ambitions
- Competitive compensation and benefits
- Flexible work conditions
Why Oerlikon:
Innovation and innovators thrive at Oerlikon, a global leader in surface technologies and advanced materials. With a unique portfolio spanning surface engineering, high-performance materials, and coating equipment, we enhance product performance, efficiency, and sustainability across multiple industries worldwide.
We offer a dynamic global environment, competitive compensation, excellent development opportunities, and the chance to make a meaningful impact on customers, markets, and technologies.
Are you curious? Then release your passion to succeed and apply now to discover how you can make a difference as part of our global team.
#joinoerlikon #productmanagement #materials #thermalspray
Contact
Ville Eronen
Head of Product Management Materials
Phone: +358 40 5248097
About Oerlikon
Oerlikon is a global leader in surface technologies and advanced materials. With a unique portfolio spanning surface engineering, high-performance materials, coating equipment and components, we make products better by enhancing performance, efficiency and sustainability. Oerlikon serves a wide range of industries, including aerospace, automotive, energy, medical, luxury, semiconductors and tooling. Head-quartered in Pfäffikon, Switzerland, Oerlikon operates in 38 countries with approximately 9,500 employees, achieving sales of CHF 1.6 billion in 2024.
We offer a wide variety of job profiles in a dynamic, supportive environment where people are empowered to grow and reach their full potential — guided by our core values of integrity, team spirit, excellence and innovation.
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