R&D- Group Leader

The GSC R&D Colorant Strategy Lead will own raw material maintenance of business and continuous improvement projects. Primary segment responsibilities include raw material evaluation and supplier approvals.

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.

Leadership
* Align departmental activities to deliver on strategic raw material goals for GSC R&D Colorant and the Company.
* Leads validation of alternative raw materials & suppliers to ensure business continuity.
* Supports the procurement of raw material to conduct the appropriate due-diligence processes/streams.
* Select excellent employees and use a flexible style, along with an open environment, to build a cohesive and productive team.
* Create a culture of diversity and inclusion and a positive cooperative work environment.
* Uses data, influence, and credibility to gain acceptance of decisions and recommendations.
* Champion the use of DFSS tools, data science, and the scientific method in all R&D projects.
* Collaborates with partners in the design of new manufacturing processing and/or in improvements of existing capabilities.
* Provides recommendations on ideal process parameters and quality standards, to ensure the maintenance of ideal raw materials characteristics.

Business Management
* Drive the development of innovative approaches to raw material selection in collaboration with internal R&D and external raw material suppliers.
* Effectively manage time and resources to ensure that work is completed efficiently and on time.
* Hold project teams accountable for setting and meeting project deadlines that meet the needs of the GSC R&D Colorant business with effective planning and execution.
* Collaborates with cross-functional partners and technical functions for regulatory updates to quickly grasp any emerging challenges and/or take advantage of new opportunities.
* Collaborate with regional counterparts on global colorant teams to support new raw material explorations and implementations and to prepare knowledge transfer documentation to support the roll out to destination regions.
* Partner with stakeholders to prioritize projects and allocate resources to drive projects through the Stage Gate process.
* Collaborates with pigment SMEs and cross-functional partners for regulatory updates.
* Give high level presentations to communicate progress of projects to stakeholders, management, and other technical staff.
* Serves as a contributor in developing a global raw material strategy for colorants.
* Must be able to manage and monitor multiple projects and programs identifying project barriers and opportunities. Determine and implement best alternative course of action when needed.
* Support and lead continuous improvement activities.

Employee and Team Development
* Grow and develop the team professionally and technically by actively utilizing and engaging in Professional Development Plans with all employees.
* Effectively utilize delegation and stretch assignments to grow the team's technical leadership capacity.
* Determine manpower resources and allocation.
* Facilitate open sharing of knowledge and ideas to promote employee engagement.
* Conduct formal performance reviews and address performance concerns.

Communication
* Communicate/interface with Operations, Supply Chain, and other R&D departments and divisions.
* Written and verbal communication of team and project related info to key stakeholders and Senior Management.
* Effectively utilize delegation and stretch assignments to grow the Team's technical and business communication capacity.
* Effective communication of projects and deliverables to team.

Safety and Quality
* Ensure and reinforce Safety, Housekeeping, and ISO practices.
* Actively seek to improve overall safety through proper training and implementation of corrective actions as necessary.
* Technical/Professional Knowledge and Standard of Work
* Knows when and how to apply technical skills and procedures.
* Understands quality, performance, and possible implementation of new and existing technologies.
* Utilizes various software to ensure proper documentation of work is maintained.
* Follows standards of excellence and takes responsibility.

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).
* Must be at least 18 years of age

FORMAL EDUCATION:
Required:
* BS/BA in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics field

Preferred:
* BS in Chemistry, Material Chemistry or Color Science Or
* MS in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics field; MBA

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE:
Required:
* Minimum of 3 years of experience at a formulation chemist level
* Minimum of 3 years of supervisory or management experience leading or managing project teams and/or complex projects

Preferred:
* 5+ years of experience formulating in pigment dispersion or coatings industry.
* Intermediate knowledge of pigment chemistry, material science and/or raw material selection.
* Experience working with external suppliers on projects such as raw material or product development, improvement projects, or problem resolution
* Experience partnering with stakeholders to commercialize products through Stage-Gate.
* Relevant experience working with Operations supporting new product launches or quality issues.
* LSS/dfLSS Trained and experience utilizing DFSS tools

TECHNICAL/SKILL REQUIREMENTS:
Required:
* Must be able, with or without reasonable accommodation, to determine the difference between colors
* Computer Proficiency
* Experience analyzing data
* Experience planning project timelines and allocating resources

Preferred:
* Strong computer skills (MS Applications including Access)
* Understanding of pigment dispersion formulation and color/color Science
* Experience utilizing DFSS tools, data science, etc.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: 20%