R&D Group Leader

The Group Leader in the Applicator Lab leads the daily operation of the laboratory and directly manages the Technicians within the Team. This position is responsible for the direction and leadership of approximately 3 - 4 direct reports within the Applicator Lab. The role has significant interaction with internal customers throughout the Sherwin Williams Applicator business. 

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.

Responsible for the following:

• Lead the Applicator Lab Technician Team while ensuring efficient testing workflow through the laboratory.
• Develop technical and business skills of the Applicator Lab Technician Team. 
• Responsible for training, developing, mentoring and evaluating new and existing employees.
• Establish annual objectives and provide performance evaluations for direct reporting team members.
• Lead and ensure adherence to housekeeping (5S/HKE), safety, ISO 9001, and regulatory requirements.
• Successfully execute projects through the laboratory that will include New Product Development, Maintenance of Business, Raw Material Testing/Screening, Manufacturing Plant Support, Supplier Evaluation, Competitive Benchmarking, and Interaction with Paint Development Teams on Testing New Products.
• Review data with Team Members to ensure quality, accuracy, and to provide clear recommendations for internal customers (Paint R&D, Operations, Sourcing, and Marketing).
• Provide technical and marketing management both formal and informal updates.  Complete reports as needed for laboratory projects.
• Assist in the development and implement launch/validation plans (QIL) for new product introduction activities.  Focus will be placed on establishing testing requirements with internal customers, developing effective sampling plans, and successful completion of testing requirements with the laboratory. 
• Lead and provide support on Technical Continuous Improvement Project (CIP) activities. 
• As appropriate, ensure that Laboratory Management Systems (aka Navigator) are updated as appropriate for projects within scope of the position.

BASIC QUALIFICATION:
• 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).

FORMAL EDUCATION:
Required:
• Bachelor's Degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (“STEM”) field

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE:
Required:
• Must have at least 1 year of supervisory experience (project management or people management) within R&D or Quality
• Minimum of 3 years of engineering design, physical lab testing, laboratory paint formulation, or related fields
• High level of initiative and desire to move into leadership role
• Excellent organization and planning skills
• Proven problem solving and decision-making skills and abilities
• Strong communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills

Preferred:
• Strong leadership skills and work experience in an industrial or research lab setting
• Previous leadership experience
• Basic understanding of three dimensional drawing and how it relates to component inspection.  

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: 
10%

 

Upon completion of construction, the individual selected for this role will primarily work at the new Sherwin-Williams Global Technology Center in Brecksville, Ohio. Construction is expected to be complete in 2025. Until then, the role will be based at 4440 Warrensville Center Rd, Warrensville Heights, OH 44128. 

Here, we believe there’s not one path to success, we believe in careers that grow with you. Whoever you are or wherever you come from in the world, there’s a place for you at Sherwin-Williams. We provide you with the opportunity to explore your curiosity and drive us forward. Sherwin-Williams values the unique talents and abilities from all backgrounds and characteristics. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply, including individuals with disabilities and Protected Veterans. We’ll give you the space to