R&D- Senior Chemist

Role details

The Senior Chemist provides technical expertise and leadership in support of maintenance of business activities for the Industrial Wood Maintenance of Business team. Reporting to the Technical Manager, this role is responsible for sustaining existing products, resolving customer and manufacturing issues, supporting business continuity, and ensuring reliable product performance. The Senior Chemist partners closely with Manufacturing, Sales, Marketing, Quality, Technical Service, Supply Chain, and customers to address technical challenges, execute product modifications, support operational needs, and deliver timely solutions that maintain customer satisfaction and business objectives.

Job duties include contact with other employees and access to 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 is not remote/hybrid. This role will report to Sherwin-Williams Morikis Global Technology Center located at 6745 Miller Road, Brecksville, OH 44141.

15% Travel Lead technical development activities supporting new product development, commercialization, and maintenance of business objectives. Translate customer, market, and business needs into product concepts, technical requirements, and development strategies. Design and execute experiments to develop differentiated coating solutions that meet performance, cost, manufacturability, sustainability, and regulatory objectives. Lead technical projects from concept through commercialization, including scope definition, risk management, testing, and execution.

Partner with Marketing, Sales, Manufacturing, Quality, Procurement, Technical Services, and customers to align product requirements and launch activities. Plan and support laboratory, pilot, plant, and customer trials; analyze results and drive resolution of technical challenges. Provide technical leadership for customer issues, product stewardship, manufacturing support, and continuous product improvement. Identify technical risks and implement mitigation strategies to improve project success and commercial readiness. Support intellectual property activities through invention documentation, patent review, and invention disclosures.

Mentor and develop technical talent through coaching, technical guidance, and knowledge sharing. Communicate technical findings, recommendations, and project status to stakeholders and leadership. Maintain a safe and effective laboratory environment through adherence to company safety standards and operating procedures.

Minimum Requirements • 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) • Must be at least 18 years of age • Must have a bachelor’s degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (“STEM”) field • 5+ years of experience in coating formulation and application • Experience resolving technical issues and leading root cause investigations Preferred Qualifications • Degree in Polymers and Coatings • Masters or Ph.D. • Experience in industrial or OEM coating formulation • Experience supporting commercialized products in a manufacturing and customer-facing environment • Experience working cross-functionally with Manufacturing, Quality, Sales, Marketing, and Technical Service teams • Experience on customer application lines (e.g., curtain coaters, vacuum coaters, roll coaters, and other OEM application equipment) • Familiarity with DFSS, Lean Six Sigma, Kepner-Tregoe, or other structured problem-solving methodologies • At least one year in mentoring or management experience • Internship, co-op, or research experience supporting manufacturing or product development activities Successful candidate will be required to sign an Employee Restrictive Covenant Agreement where permitted by law.