Senior Director R&D - Polymer Technology

The Polymer Business Unit R&D Lead is responsible for directing the R&D activities of the Polymer Business Unit and directing the development of new product technologies and key technology programs that drive significant strategic business growth. The role is responsible for the leadership development of products and team members and acts as a key member of the Polymer Council. The position partners with the R&D and business leaders of all divisions to maximize resources in the development of an enterprise-wide polymer roadmap for both water and solvent based resins.  
 

Job duties include contact with other employees and access confidential and proprietary information and/or other items of value, and such access may be supervised or unsupervised. The Company therefore has determined that a review of criminal history is necessary to protect the business and its operations and reputation and is necessary to protect the safety of the Company’s staff, employees, and business relationships.

 

This role can be located in Brecksville, OH, Marengo, IL or Minneapolis, MN. 
 

•    This position is accountable for directing the research, development, and commercialization of new product technologies and key technology programs that drive significant strategic business growth. Includes direct responsibility for all polymer tolling technical activities including auditing quality and reliability audits.  
•    Leads, develops, and shapes a market, team and customer centric workplace culture 
•    Directs the supervision of: 
o    50 Synthesis and polymer development professionals 
o    20 manufacturing support engineers 
•    Works collaboratively with division R&D, Operations and Polymer Council to refine and manage required polymer development, scale up and flawless commercialization to plan, timelines and cost. 
•    Drives and captures intellectual property developments. This includes creating a balanced portfolio for supporting new product developments as well as maintenance of business activities for risk reduction, cost savings, and consolidations.  
•    Builds organization capability and drives efficiency of resource utilization, e.g., champions and drives best practices, institutes project management and portfolio management with business leaders and R&D teams, reviews infrastructure requirements, hires, trains and guides people development.  
•    Promotes a safe work environment by driving safety practices.  
•    Manages internal/external relationships within a matrix environment 
•    Leads the integrated talent management activities to attract, develop, provide performance feedback, and retain employees and to ensure optimum level of workforce engagement.  
•    Completes, delivers, and oversees individual performance management reviews, succession planning, and establishes employee professional development goals to support future business needs.  

 

•    Polymer Strategy and Interaction with Operations  
o    Achieving a multi-year roadmap in combination with all Business Unit and Technology segment leads. 
o    Ensuring flawless execution of new product launches through close partnerships with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain and Marketing 
o    Provides support (including scheduling) for all development and pilot & scale-up work for all SW regional locations  
o    Interface for Global (EMEAI, Asia, LATAM) polymer development, maintaining communication, coaching/streamlining polymer development, supporting toll manufacture and scale-up polymer portfolio. 
o    Identifies and qualifies second sources for key raw materials. 
o    Enables and supports all aspects of the Stage Gate Process and DFSS, enabling successful completion and commercialization of R&D Projects  
o    Supporting qualifying alternate production sites by participating in Product Transfers (FMAP process) and ensuring all technical activities are fully completed according to agreed timelines  
o    Setting and managing the IP strategies for the Polymer function including patent filings, joint development and partnership agreements, and technology license agreements.  
 

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
•    Must be legally authorized to work in the country for which you are applying for employment (without now or in the future needing sponsorship for employment work visa and/or permanent residence status).
•    Bachelor’s degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Math field.  
•    Must be at least 18 years of age. 
•    5 – 10 plus years of experience in leadership and technical management required. Experience leading cross functional teams. Understanding of manufacturing, scale-up, quality processes and procedures, raw materials and regulatory required.  
•    Understanding of Polymer Products and Paint Industry, preferably across multiple market segments 
•    Ability to work in a matrix organizational structure, developing strong relationships with all levels of management.  
•    Demonstrated ability to influence decision makers. 
•    Technical understanding and knowledge in architectural and industrial chemistry including poly urethane, epoxy, Poly siloxane, vinyl ester, urea, alkyd, and acrylic.  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
•    Prior experience managing a management team 
•    Experience working in or managing a team in a matrix organization.  
•    Experience in managing a team in different geographic locations and across cultural boundaries.  
•    Experience in managing a portfolio of technology projects.  
•    Experience in connecting customer product requirements to polymer attributes.  
•    Experience in supply chain and project risk mitigation methods.  
•    Experience in management of change and quality systems. 
•    Experience in DFSS, Six Sigma

 

Travel Requirements: 20%

 

This position is not eligible for sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future, including conversion to H-1B visa.
 

At Sherwin-Williams, our purpose is to inspire and improve the world by coloring and protecting what matters. Our paints, coatings and innovative solutions make the places and spaces in our world brighter and stronger. Your skills, talent and passion make it possible to live this purpose, and for customers and our business to achieve great results. Sherwin-Williams is a place that takes its stability, growth and momentum and translates it to possibility for our people. Our people are behind the strength of our success, and we invest and support you in:

Life … with rewards, benefits and the flexibility to enhance your health and well-being
Career … with opportunities to learn, develop new skills and grow your contribution
Connection … with an inclusive team and commitment to our own and broader communities
It's all here for you... let's Create Your Possible

At Sherwin-Williams, part of our mission is to help our employees and their families live healthier, save smarter and feel better. This starts with a wide range of world-class benefits designed for you. From retirement to health care, from total well-being to your daily commute—it matters to us. A general description of benefits offered can be found at http://www.myswbenefits.com/. Click on “Candidates” to view benefit offerings that you may be eligible for if you are hired as a Sherwin-Williams employee.

Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case and will impact where actual compensation may fall within the stated wage range. The wage range listed for this role takes into account the wide range of factors considered in making compensation decisions including skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. The wage range, other compensation, and benefits information listed is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, with or without notice, subject to applicable law.

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws including with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act where applicable.

Sherwin-Williams is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.  All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, age, pregnancy, genetic information, creed, marital status or any other consideration prohibited by law or by contract.

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