How to Apply to PPG Industries

Key Takeaways

PPG Industries is a Fortune 500 global leader with approximately 53,000 employees and 62+ open openings — the breadth of opportunities spans sales, technical, supply chain, EHS, and business development roles across dozens of countries
The company uses Phenom as its ATS, so optimizing your resume for keyword alignment, clean formatting, and complete profile information is essential for getting past initial screening
Tailor every application to the specific role by incorporating exact language from the job description and quantifying your achievements with concrete metrics
PPG places exceptional emphasis on safety culture and sustainability — even non-EHS candidates should demonstrate awareness of and commitment to these priorities
Multilingual skills and international experience are highly valued given PPG's presence in 70+ countries, so highlight any cross-border or multicultural experience prominently
Prepare for behavioral and competency-based interviews using the STAR method, with specific examples that demonstrate results, collaboration, and alignment with PPG's values
Research PPG's products, markets, and recent initiatives (such as sustainability goals or new product launches) before applying and interviewing — demonstrating genuine knowledge of the business is a commonly cited differentiator

About PPG Industries

PPG Industries is a global leader in paints, coatings, and specialty materials, serving customers across automotive, aerospace, industrial, and architectural markets. Founded in 1883 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, PPG operates in more than 70 countries with approximately 53,000 employees worldwide. The company is consistently recognized as one of the world's most admired companies in the chemicals sector and maintains a strong commitment to innovation, sustainability, and community engagement. PPG's culture typically emphasizes collaboration, continuous improvement, and a results-driven mindset. The company invests heavily in research and development, holding thousands of patents globally, and is known for its focus on color science, protective coatings, and advanced surface technologies. PPG commonly promotes from within and values employees who demonstrate both technical expertise and commercial acumen. With roughly 62+ open openings spanning roles from store sales representatives to specialized engineering and business development positions, PPG offers diverse career paths across multiple geographies, functions, and experience levels, making it an attractive employer for professionals at various career stages.

Application Process

1
Explore Opportunities on PPG's Careers Portal
Begin your application journey at PPG's official careers page (careers.ppg.com). The site is powered by the Phenom applicant tracking system, which provides a modern, AI-enhanced job search experience. You can filter roles by location, function, business segment, and experience level. PPG posts positions across dozens of countries, so be sure to use geographic filters to narrow results. Many applicants find it helpful to set up job alerts so they are notified when new roles matching their criteria are posted. Take time to read each job description thoroughly, noting required qualifications, preferred skills, and any specific certifications or language requirements — PPG's global footprint means many roles require multilingual capabilities.
2
Create a Candidate Profile in the Phenom Platform
PPG's Phenom-powered careers site typically allows you to create a candidate profile where you can upload your resume, enter your work history, and specify your preferences. This profile may be used by PPG recruiters to match you with current and future openings. Ensure your profile is complete and accurate, as Phenom's AI-driven matching algorithms commonly analyze candidate profiles to surface relevant opportunities. Include keywords from the job descriptions you're targeting, and make sure your contact information and work authorization status are up to date. Some applicants report that the platform also offers a chatbot feature that can help guide you to relevant positions.
3
Submit a Tailored Application
When you find a role that matches your qualifications, submit your application through the portal. PPG typically requires a resume upload and may ask you to complete additional application questions related to your experience, certifications, or willingness to relocate. Tailor your resume and any supplementary materials to the specific role — highlight relevant industry experience in coatings, chemicals, manufacturing, or the specific functional area (sales, EHS, supply chain, etc.). Many applicants report that PPG values concise, achievement-oriented applications that clearly demonstrate how your background aligns with the role's requirements.
4
Initial Screening and Recruiter Contact
After submission, your application is typically reviewed by PPG's talent acquisition team. This initial screening commonly involves both automated parsing by the Phenom ATS and human review by a recruiter. If your qualifications match the role's requirements, a recruiter will typically reach out — often via email or phone — to conduct an initial screening conversation. This call generally covers your background, salary expectations, availability, and motivation for joining PPG. Be prepared to articulate why you're interested in the coatings and specialty materials industry and what specifically draws you to PPG as an employer.
5
Interview Rounds
PPG's interview process commonly involves multiple rounds, which may include virtual interviews, technical assessments, and on-site visits depending on the role and location. For technical and specialist roles (such as EHS Specialist or Demand Planner), candidates often report being asked scenario-based and competency-based questions. For sales and business development roles, expect questions about relationship management, market strategy, and revenue growth. Panel interviews with hiring managers and cross-functional team members are commonly reported. Some positions may also include case studies, presentations, or practical assessments relevant to the role.
6
Offer, Background Check, and Onboarding
Successful candidates typically receive a formal offer that includes details about compensation, benefits, and start date. PPG commonly conducts background checks and may require drug screening depending on the role and location. Once you accept, the onboarding process typically includes orientation sessions, safety training (particularly important given PPG's manufacturing and chemical operations), and introductions to your team and business unit. Many new hires report that PPG provides structured onboarding programs that help employees integrate quickly and understand the company's values, safety culture, and operational expectations.

Resume Tips for PPG Industries

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Incorporate Industry-Specific Keywords

PPG operates in paints, coatings, specialty materials, and adjacent industries like aerospace, automotive, and oil & gas. Your resume should include relevant keywords from the job description such as 'coatings technology,' 'EHS compliance,' 'supply chain management,' 'key account management,' 'demand planning,' or 'pricing analytics.' The Phenom ATS commonly parses resumes for keyword relevance, so aligning your language with the job posting is critical. Avoid keyword stuffing — instead, weave terms naturally into your experience descriptions and skills sections.

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Quantify Achievements with Metrics

PPG is a results-oriented organization that values measurable impact. Instead of listing responsibilities, quantify your accomplishments: 'Increased regional sales by 18% year-over-year,' 'Reduced workplace incidents by 35% through implementation of new EHS protocols,' or 'Managed demand planning for a $50M product portfolio across 12 SKUs.' Metrics demonstrate your ability to deliver tangible business outcomes, which is particularly important for roles in sales, operations, supply chain, and business development at PPG.

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Use a Clean, ATS-Compatible Format

Phenom's parsing technology works best with well-structured resumes. Use standard section headings (Experience, Education, Skills, Certifications), avoid tables, text boxes, headers/footers with critical information, and complex graphics that may not parse correctly. Stick to common fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Save your file as a .docx or .pdf (check the upload requirements on PPG's portal). Ensure your name, contact information, and LinkedIn URL are prominently displayed at the top of the document.

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Highlight Global and Multilingual Experience

With operations in over 70 countries, PPG frequently seeks candidates with international experience and language skills. If you speak multiple languages, list them prominently with your proficiency level. If you've worked across borders, managed international teams, or navigated cross-cultural business environments, make this clear. Roles like 'Sales medewerker' (Dutch), 'EHS Specialist (m/w/d)' (German), and 'Import - Export Manager' explicitly require or benefit from multilingual and multicultural competencies.

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Showcase Safety and Compliance Awareness

PPG places a strong emphasis on environmental health and safety (EHS) across all operations. Even if you're not applying for an EHS-specific role, demonstrating awareness of safety culture, regulatory compliance (OSHA, REACH, EPA, ISO standards), and sustainable practices can differentiate your application. Mention any safety certifications, training programs you've completed, or initiatives you've led that improved workplace safety or environmental performance.

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Tailor Your Summary Statement to PPG's Values

PPG commonly emphasizes values such as innovation, sustainability, customer focus, and integrity. Your resume summary or professional profile should reflect alignment with these values. For example: 'Results-driven business development professional with 8+ years in specialty chemicals, passionate about delivering innovative coating solutions and building long-term customer partnerships.' This immediately signals cultural fit and industry relevance to both the ATS and human reviewers.

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Include Relevant Certifications and Technical Skills

Depending on the role, PPG may value certifications such as Six Sigma, PMP, APICS/CPIM (for supply chain roles), CIH or CSP (for EHS roles), or SAP/ERP proficiency. Technical skills related to pricing software, demand planning tools, CRM platforms, or laboratory instrumentation should be listed in a dedicated skills section. This helps the Phenom ATS match your profile to role requirements and gives recruiters a quick snapshot of your technical qualifications.

ATS System: Phenom

PPG Industries uses Phenom as its applicant tracking and talent experience platform. Phenom is known for its AI-driven approach to talent acquisition, offering features such as intelligent job matching, personalized job recommendations, chatbot-assisted navigation, and candidate relationship management. The platform parses uploaded resumes to extract key information — work history, skills, education, and certifications — and uses this data to match candidates with relevant openings. Phenom also commonly powers the employer's career site experience, providing a modern, mobile-friendly interface that allows candidates to search, save, and apply for jobs seamlessly. Understanding how Phenom processes applications can give you a meaningful advantage in optimizing your resume and profile for PPG's hiring pipeline.

Complete your full candidate profile on PPG's careers portal — Phenom's AI matching algorithms commonly use profile completeness as a factor when surfacing candidates to recruiters, so leaving fields blank may reduce your visibility.
Use standard resume formatting with clear section headers, as Phenom's parsing engine works best with conventional document structures. Avoid infographics, columns, or unconventional layouts that may confuse the parser.
Mirror the exact language and keywords from the job description in your resume and profile. Phenom typically scores candidate-job fit based on keyword alignment, so using the same terminology PPG uses in their postings can improve your match score.
Set up job alerts and engage with the platform's recommendation features. Phenom commonly learns from your interactions to suggest increasingly relevant roles, and staying active on the platform may signal engagement to recruiters.
If the platform offers a chatbot or virtual assistant, use it to ask questions about the application process, check your application status, or discover roles you may have missed. This feature is designed to improve the candidate experience and can save you time.
Ensure your LinkedIn profile is consistent with your resume, as Phenom may pull data from or link to your LinkedIn during the application process.

Complete Phenom Resume Guide →

Interview Culture

PPG Industries' interview process is commonly described as thorough, professional, and structured, reflecting the company's emphasis on finding candidates who are both technically capable and culturally aligned. Initial interviews are typically conducted by a recruiter or HR representative and focus on your background, career motivations, and basic qualifications. Subsequent rounds commonly involve hiring managers and may include cross-functional team members, particularly for roles that require collaboration across departments or geographies. For technical roles such as EHS Specialist, Demand Planner, or Pricing Software Business Expert, candidates often report being asked competency-based questions that assess problem-solving ability, technical knowledge, and familiarity with relevant tools and regulations. Behavioral interview questions following the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) are commonly used across many PPG roles. For sales and business development positions, expect questions about customer relationship management, market penetration strategies, and how you've driven revenue growth in previous roles. PPG's culture typically values humility, teamwork, and a strong safety mindset. Interviewers may assess your alignment with these values through situational questions about how you've handled ethical dilemmas, contributed to team success, or prioritized safety in your work. Many candidates report that PPG interviewers are respectful, well-prepared, and genuinely interested in understanding how you would contribute to the team. The overall process — from application to offer — commonly takes several weeks, though timelines can vary by role, location, and business unit. Demonstrating genuine enthusiasm for PPG's products, markets, and mission during interviews is frequently cited as a differentiating factor by successful candidates.

What PPG Industries Looks For

Strong alignment with PPG's core values of safety, integrity, innovation, and sustainability — candidates who can demonstrate these values through concrete examples tend to stand out
Relevant industry experience in paints, coatings, chemicals, manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, or related sectors, with a clear understanding of the technical and commercial challenges in these markets
Quantifiable track record of delivering results, whether in sales growth, cost reduction, process improvement, safety performance, or operational efficiency
Global mindset and cross-cultural competence, including multilingual abilities and experience working in or with international teams and markets
Technical proficiency relevant to the role, such as ERP/SAP expertise, demand planning tools, pricing software, laboratory skills, or regulatory knowledge (OSHA, REACH, ISO)
Collaborative and team-oriented approach, with the ability to work effectively across functions, business units, and geographies
Customer-centric thinking, particularly for sales, key account management, and business development roles — PPG values professionals who build long-term partnerships and understand customer needs deeply
Adaptability and continuous learning mindset, reflecting PPG's commitment to innovation and its dynamic, evolving business environment

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for a job at PPG Industries?

Visit PPG's official careers page at careers.ppg.com, which is powered by the Phenom talent experience platform. You can search for roles by keyword, location, function, or business segment. Create a candidate profile, upload your resume, and submit your application directly through the portal. Setting up job alerts is recommended so you're notified when new roles matching your interests are posted.

What ATS does PPG use, and how should I optimize my resume for it?

PPG uses Phenom as its applicant tracking and talent experience platform. To optimize your resume, use clean formatting with standard section headers, avoid graphics or complex layouts, and incorporate keywords directly from the job description. Complete your full candidate profile on the portal, as Phenom's AI matching commonly uses profile data to surface candidates to recruiters.

How long does PPG's hiring process typically take?

The timeline varies by role, location, and business unit, but many candidates report that the process from application to offer commonly takes several weeks. Initial recruiter screening may occur within one to two weeks of application, followed by one or more interview rounds. Complex or senior roles may involve additional steps such as presentations, assessments, or multi-panel interviews that extend the timeline.

What types of roles does PPG commonly hire for?

PPG hires across a wide range of functions including sales and business development, supply chain and demand planning, environmental health and safety (EHS), manufacturing and operations, research and development, IT and digital, finance, marketing, and store-level retail positions. Roles span from entry-level store sales representatives to senior-level key account managers and business development directors.

Does PPG offer international or remote work opportunities?

PPG operates in more than 70 countries, and many roles are based internationally. Some positions may offer remote or hybrid work arrangements, though this varies significantly by role and location. Manufacturing, laboratory, and store-based roles typically require on-site presence. Check individual job postings for specific location and flexibility details.

What should I emphasize in my PPG interview?

Focus on demonstrating alignment with PPG's values — safety, integrity, innovation, and sustainability. Use the STAR method to share specific examples of your achievements, particularly those involving measurable results, cross-functional collaboration, and customer-centric thinking. Research PPG's products, recent news, and strategic priorities so you can speak knowledgeably about the company and how you'd contribute.

Do I need industry experience in paints and coatings to work at PPG?

While direct experience in paints, coatings, or chemicals is valued for many technical and commercial roles, PPG also hires professionals from adjacent industries such as automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, and consumer goods. Transferable skills in sales, supply chain, EHS, finance, and IT are commonly sought. Demonstrating a willingness to learn about PPG's products and markets can help compensate for a lack of direct industry experience.

Does PPG value certifications or advanced degrees?

Depending on the role, certifications such as Six Sigma, PMP, APICS/CPIM, CIH, CSP, or ISO auditor credentials can strengthen your application. Advanced degrees (MBA, MS in Chemistry, Engineering, or related fields) are commonly preferred for senior technical, R&D, and leadership roles. Check the specific job posting for required and preferred qualifications.

What is PPG's company culture like?

PPG is commonly described as having a collaborative, safety-first culture with a strong emphasis on innovation and continuous improvement. The company invests in employee development and typically promotes from within. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are stated priorities, and PPG has received recognition for its sustainability efforts and community engagement. Employees often report a professional yet supportive work environment with opportunities for global mobility.

Sample Open Positions

Check Your Resume Before Applying → View 62 open positions at PPG Industries

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Sources

PPG Industries Official Careers Page — PPG Industries
PPG Industries - About Us — PPG Industries
Phenom Intelligent Talent Experience Platform — Phenom
PPG Industries - Sustainability Report — PPG Industries
PPG Industries Company Profile — LinkedIn