NPI Finish Development Lead, Color/Finish

Sterling Kohler; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 136,000 - 211,000; Full time

Job summary

Kohler Co. is seeking a Manager - NPI Engineering, Finish Development to lead the Color/Finish development from concept through commercialization.

You will partner with Styling, Product Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and external partners to develop breakthrough finish capabilities and ensure manufacturing readiness. The role requires 6–8+ years of manufacturing engineering experience, strong leadership, and expertise in decorative coatings, PVD, plating, painting, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related technical discipline required.
• 6-8+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, product industrialization, finishing processes, coatings, plating, paint systems, surface treatments, or related technologies.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex product launches and process development initiatives.
• Experience leading technical teams and cross-functional project organizations.
• Lean Six Sigma certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Color/Finish Technology Development & Industrialization from concept to production.
• Lead development and commercialization of decorative and functional finish technologies across faucets, showering, sanitary, and premium product categories.
• Drive advanced process development activities from proof-of-concept through production implementation.
• Establish scalable finishing processes meeting performance, quality, sustainability, and cost objectives.
• Evaluate and implement emerging technologies, coatings, materials, and application methods to enhance product differentiation.
• Develop manufacturing readiness strategies for new finish platforms and innovations.
• Provide NPI leadership for finish-related product launches and innovation initiatives.
• Ensure manufacturing requirements are incorporated early through DFM principles.
• Lead risk identification, mitigation planning, and launch readiness reviews.
• Drive successful transfer of finish technologies into stable production environments.
• Establish launch metrics, capability plans, validation protocols, and production ramp-up strategies.
• Partner with Industrial Design, Product Engineering, Marketing, Program Management, and Operations teams.
• Collaborate with suppliers, technology partners, and research organizations to expand color/finish capabilities.
• Provide technical leadership during design reviews, innovation workshops, and product development gate assessments.
• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing Finish Development engineering team.
• Establish technical standards, best practices, and knowledge-sharing mechanisms across global NPI organizations.
• Build succession bench strength and strengthen finish engineering expertise across the enterprise.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical discipline

Lean Six Sigma certification

Job description

Kohler Co. is seeking a Manager - NPI Engineering, Finish Development to lead the Color/Finish development from concept through commercialization.

You will partner with Styling, Product Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and external partners to develop breakthrough finish capabilities and ensure manufacturing readiness. The role requires 6–8+ years of manufacturing engineering experience, strong leadership, and expertise in decorative coatings, PVD, plating, painting, and