Location: El Reno, OK
Employment Type: Full-Time
Salary: $130,000–$160,000/year (DOE)
Position Level: Executive Leadership
Industry: Paint & Coatings Manufacturing
BlueWorx is seeking an experienced Vice President of Technology to lead the technical operations of an established paint and coatings manufacturing organization in El Reno, OK.
This executive leadership position will oversee Laboratory Operations, Research & Development (R&D), Quality Control (QC), Quality Assurance (QA), and Color Development, bringing these departments together under a unified technology and innovation strategy.
The ideal candidate will have a strong background in paint and coatings technology, chemical formulations, product development, quality management, and technical leadership. This position requires an individual who can develop long-term technology strategies while remaining actively involved in technical decision-making, product innovation, and manufacturing quality.
The VP of Technology will be responsible for developing and executing the organization's technology roadmap while ensuring product performance, formulation excellence, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement.
This individual will work closely with the COO and executive leadership team to align technical capabilities with business objectives, customer requirements, and future growth opportunities.
The position requires a combination of executive-level leadership, technical expertise, and hands-on problem-solving ability.
Develop and execute a multi-year technology and innovation strategy aligned with company growth objectives
Provide executive leadership across Laboratory, R&D, QC, QA, and Color departments
Establish clear departmental priorities, accountability, and performance expectations
Align technical operations with manufacturing, sales, supply chain, and organizational objectives
Manage departmental budgets, staffing plans, and capital equipment investments
Identify opportunities to improve technical capabilities, operational efficiency, and product performance
Represent technology and innovation initiatives during executive planning and board-level discussions
Partner with the COO and executive team on long-term business strategy
Lead new product development and improvements to existing paint and coatings formulations
Direct research involving coatings chemistry, resins, additives, and emerging formulation technologies
Establish R&D priorities based on commercial opportunities, technical feasibility, and available resources
Guide technical teams through formulation challenges and product development initiatives
Support sustainability initiatives and evolving customer requirements
Build relationships with raw material suppliers, industry organizations, and academic partners
Evaluate emerging technologies and opportunities for product innovation
Oversee color matching, color development, and color technology systems
Ensure consistent color accuracy across product lines
Maintain color quality standards that meet customer specifications
Evaluate and implement improvements to color-matching equipment, software, and automation
Support technical teams in resolving complex color-related issues
Provide leadership for QC testing programs and QA management systems
Ensure products meet internal specifications, customer requirements, and applicable regulatory standards
Oversee compliance with ASTM, ISO, EPA, OSHA, and VOC-related requirements
Lead root-cause investigations involving product defects, manufacturing issues, and customer complaints
Develop and implement corrective and preventive action initiatives
Establish quality performance metrics and continuous improvement objectives
Promote data-driven decision-making and consistent quality practices
Oversee laboratory operations supporting product development, formulation testing, and routine quality evaluations
Ensure laboratory equipment, staffing, and resources support organizational objectives
Maintain laboratory safety, testing accuracy, and regulatory compliance
Improve laboratory efficiency, documentation, and technical processes
Support investments in laboratory technology, testing equipment, and instrumentation
Lead and develop department managers and technical professionals across all five functions
Recruit, mentor, and retain high-performing technical talent
Establish succession plans and leadership development opportunities
Promote collaboration between technical departments and manufacturing operations
Build accountability and consistent communication across teams
Serve as a trusted technical advisor to executive leadership
Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical discipline
7+ years of progressive leadership experience
5+ years managing multiple technical departments or functions simultaneously
Strong technical understanding of product development, formulation, laboratory operations, and quality systems
Demonstrated ability to translate technical strategies into measurable business results
Proven experience building, leading, and developing technical teams
Knowledge of applicable regulatory requirements, including VOC regulations, OSHA, EPA, ASTM, and ISO standards
Strong strategic planning, organizational, and decision-making abilities
Excellent communication and executive leadership skills
Ability to collaborate across technical, manufacturing, and business functions
Experience in paint, coatings, chemical, or related manufacturing environments
Strong understanding of coatings chemistry, formulation development, and product performance
Experience overseeing multiple technical departments, including R&D, QC, QA, and laboratory operations
Experience integrating or restructuring technical departments
Familiarity with color-matching software and laboratory information management systems (LIMS)
Experience presenting technical strategies and performance results to executive leadership or a board of directors
Experience leading technology initiatives in a manufacturing organization
Background in continuous improvement and quality management
Ability to work in office, laboratory, and manufacturing environments
Ability to stand, walk, sit, climb stairs, bend, kneel, and reach as required
Ability to occasionally lift or move up to 50 pounds
Vision requirements include close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth perception
Ability to communicate effectively with technical teams, department leaders, and executives
Ability to work in environments requiring attention to laboratory and manufacturing safety procedures
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