Director, Customer Service & Product Support
Vernon Hills, IL - USA
Job Summary
Job Title: Director of Customer Service Product Support & Technical Service
Company: Rust-Oleum
Location: United States (Hybrid or On-Site depending on business needs)
Department: Customer Experience / Technical Services
Reports To: Vice President Sales
Position Summary
The Director of Customer Service Product Support & Technical Service leads the strategy performance and continuous improvement of all customer-facing support functions for Rust-Oleum. This role oversees customer service operations product support and technical service teams to deliver exceptional customer experiences across professional contractors retail partners distributors and consumers.
The Director ensures customers receive accurate product guidance technical troubleshooting and responsive service across multiple channels while also translating customer insights into actionable improvements for product development quality marketing and operations.
Key Responsibilities
Customer Service Leadership
- Develop and execute the overall customer service strategy aligned with company growth and brand reputation goals.
- Lead and manage multi-channel support operations including phone email chat digital platforms and retail support.
- Establish service standards KPIs and operational processes that ensure fast accurate and customer-centric support.
- Drive initiatives that improve Customer Satisfaction (CSAT) Net Promoter Score (NPS) and first-contact resolution rates.
Product Support & Technical Services
- Oversee product support teams that assist customers with application guidance product compatibility troubleshooting and best practices.
- Manage technical experts who support complex inquiries from contractors retailers distributors and industrial customers.
- Ensure accurate technical documentation FAQs troubleshooting guides and knowledge base content.
- Partner with R&D and Product Management to communicate field insights product performance feedback and improvement opportunities.
Customer Experience & Process Improvement
- Analyze customer interaction data to identify trends recurring issues and opportunities to improve products packaging instructions and support materials.
- Implement technologies such as CRM platforms knowledge management systems and AI-assisted service tools.
- Standardize workflows across customer service and technical service teams to improve efficiency and scalability.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner closely with Sales Marketing Product Development Supply Chain Quality and Manufacturing to resolve customer issues and improve product experience.
- Support major retail partners and distributors by ensuring strong technical support and service responsiveness.
- Represent the voice of the customer in internal strategic discussions.
Team Leadership & Development
- Lead coach and develop a high-performing team of customer service managers technical specialists and support staff.
- Establish training programs that ensure strong product knowledge and consistent service delivery.
- Foster a culture focused on customer advocacy problem-solving and continuous improvement.
Performance & Reporting
- Develop service metrics dashboards and report performance to executive leadership.
- Manage department budgets staffing plans and operational resources.
- Drive operational excellence through automation workflow optimization and service innovation.
Qualifications
Education
- Bachelors degree in Business Engineering Chemistry Operations Management or related field required
- MBA or advanced degree preferred
Experience
- 10 years of progressive leadership experience in customer service product support or technical service
- Experience supporting manufacturing coatings building materials industrial products or consumer goods
- Proven success leading large service teams and multi-channel support environments
- Experience implementing or managing CRM and customer experience platforms
Skills & Competencies
- Strong leadership and team development capabilities
- Ability to translate complex technical information into customer-friendly solutions
- Data-driven decision making and service performance management
- Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
- Strategic thinker with operational execution ability
Preferred Experience
- Experience with technical products requiring application support (coatings chemicals construction materials or industrial products)
- Familiarity with contractor and retail support environments
- Experience integrating customer insights into product development and quality improvements
What Success Looks Like
- Improved customer satisfaction and service responsiveness
- Reduced product complaints through proactive support and education
- Strong collaboration between service teams and product development
- Scalable customer support systems that support business growth
Salary Target Range: $130000 - $175000 Bonus Eligible
After 30 days of employment you will be eligible for a benefits package that includes medical dental life disability and business travel insurance flexible spending accounts EAP stock purchases and vacation/sick days/parental also offer a 401(k) plan after three months of employment. Associates are vested in the RPM Pension plan after five years of continuousservice.
Rust-Oleum is an equal-opportunity employer. Employment selection and related decisions are made without regard to sex race age disability religion national origin color or other protected class.
Required Experience:
Director
About Company
Carboline offers a comprehensive line of high performance coatings, linings, and fireproofing products that solve real-world problems and offer real benefits.