Career Development Program & Operations IT Specialist

Career Development Program & Operations IT Specialist

Birmingham, AL | Hybrid / Field-Based | Alabama or Georgia Preferred

Build the kind of IT career that belongs inside the business, not outside of it. PPG Quality is looking for a hands-on IT and operations builder who wants to be part of our Career Development Program —learn automotive and aerospace manufacturing, support real plant operations, develop Microsoft apps, and evolve to become a major player with our agentic AI solutions for manufacturers.

About PPG Quality

PPG Quality is a leading provider of manufacturing solutions, specializing in quality inspection, workforce support, and operational services for manufacturers and parts suppliers. We serve industries including automotive, aerospace, medical devices, electronics, motorcycles, and food production. We have a tech subsidiary focused on Agentic AI platforms and augmented reality within frontline workers in manufacturing. Headquartered in Birmingham and northern Atlanta, PPG Quality operates across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The Opportunity

AI is changing the future of traditional IT, software, and support roles. The technology professionals who will grow are the ones who deeply understand an industry, work directly with operations, and know how to turn real business problems into practical technology solutions.

This role is a two-year career development program for a motivated IT professional who wants to become a operations and manufacturing technology leader. It is not a desk-only job, a remote-only programming job, or a narrow help desk role. You will spend meaningful time in manufacturing plants learning the industry from the ground up, on production floors, with supervisors, with field teams, and with company leaders while also owning key technology tools for the business.

The right person will be curious, independent, practical, and driven. You should want to learn how manufacturing works, travel when needed, work different shifts during rotations, and use technology to make operations faster, cleaner, and more scalable. You need to be a go-getter who sees that AI is the future.

What You Will Do

• Learn manufacturing from the inside. Rotate through automotive, aerospace, and other manufacturing environments to understand how production, quality, staffing, supervision, and customer support really work. You will be part of our rapid response team. You will learn every shift, every position, every environment.
• Support field operations with technology. Help internal teams stay productive at client locations by supporting Microsoft 365, Teams, SharePoint, Windows, tablets, user access, troubleshooting, and field technology needs.
• Own tablet and app readiness. Help manage tablet inventory, setup, deployment, charging, distribution, basic troubleshooting, and field use of company apps across multiple locations.
• Build and improve Microsoft-based solutions. Support Power Apps, Power Automate, Power BI, Excel-based reporting, SharePoint workflows, and other Microsoft tools used by operations teams.
• Work with development resources. Coordinate with offshore development support and internal stakeholders to turn operational needs into usable apps, reports, dashboards, and process improvements.
• Become the bridge between operations and technology. Sit in meetings, understand business needs, gather requirements, explain practical options, and drive follow-through until solutions work in the field.
• Get involved with future technology. Participate in the rollout of PPG Quality's agentic AI platform for manufacturing and help identify where AI, automation, and emerging tools can improve operations.
• Take ownership. Run independently, solve problems, communicate clearly, and keep projects moving without needing constant direction.

Approximate Role Mix During the Development Program

• 50% operations immersion: plant rotations, field learning, different shifts, hands-on manufacturing exposure, and supervised operational assignments.
• 25% technology ownership: Microsoft apps, Power Platform, reporting, tablets, support systems, and field technology readiness.
• 15% future technology development: AI, automation, augmented reality, app improvement, and new solution rollout support. As you become more knowledgeable on the industry this will grow rapidly.
• 10% corporate IT support: website, email, Microsoft 365, user support, and internal systems work.

What You Bring

• Hands-on IT, software, systems support, app support, business analysis, or related technology experience.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft tools, including Microsoft 365, Teams, SharePoint, Excel, Windows, and related business applications.
• Serious knowledge in Power Platform, Power Apps, Power Automate, Power BI, dashboards, reports, or workflow tools.
• A serious interest in AI and how it can be applied to real manufacturing and operational problems.
• Strong communication skills with both technical and non-technical people.
• A practical, innovative mindset with the ability to work independently and drive solutions to completion.
• Comfort working in manufacturing plants, walking production floors, learning operational jobs, and supporting teams in the field.
• Willingness to work different shifts during learning rotations and operational assignments.
• Reliable transportation and the ability to travel to client sites. Most travel is expected to be in Alabama and Georgia, with possible travel to Tennessee, South Carolina, or other U.S. locations as business needs require.
• Ability to perform all positions in a manufacturing environment, including lifting up to 25 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• You must be a go-getter!

This Role May Be a Strong Fit If You

• See that technology careers are changing and you want to build a more durable future by combining IT, operations, and AI.
• Do not want to spend your career only behind a screen.
• Want to become the person who understands both the plant floor and the technology needed to improve it.
• Like solving messy, real-world problems where the best answer is not always obvious.
• Are willing to learn the industry first so you can build better solutions later.
• Want a path where strong performance can lead to meaningful responsibility and leadership opportunity inside the company.

This Role Is Not the Right Fit If You

• Want a fully remote, desk-only, or narrow programming role.
• Do not want to travel to client sites or spend time in manufacturing plants.
• Are not willing to work different shifts during parts of the development program.
• Prefer to be given only small tasks instead of owning outcomes.
• Are uncomfortable with hands-on learning, field support, or the practical realities of manufacturing operations.

Why This Role Matters

PPG Quality is building the technology foundation for how its field teams operate, support customers, report performance, manage work, and use AI-driven tools in manufacturing environments. This person will help connect operations, Microsoft-based systems, field devices, reporting, and new AI capabilities into practical solutions that work where the work is actually happening.

For the right person, this is more than an IT job. It is a chance to become a major contributor in a growing company by learning the industry, building solutions, supporting real operations, and helping shape the future of manufacturing technology at PPG Quality.

Equal Employment Opportunity

PPG Quality is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or veteran status. PPG Quality complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.