R&D- Scientist

A scientist will provide technical leadership and innovation for our Industrial Wood portfolio, focusing on the building products segment, but will also be involved with other segments such as kitchen cabinets, furniture, and flooring. This role develops and optimizes advanced coatings systems and provides technical support to our industrial customers. The individual is accountable for solving complex technical problems around products and processes while demonstrating significant chemistry, substrate, and testing knowledge. The scientist will be responsible for providing timely, accurate, and solutions to these technical problems across the division and the entire enterprise. In addition to technical responsibilities, this position plays a key role in proactively mentoring chemists, fostering a culture of scientific rigor, continuous learning, and customer-centric innovation. This role will also serve as a customer-facing technical expert and will heavily interact and interface with OEMs throughout the development timelines.

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.

* Lead the assessment, development, reformulation, quality improvement, maintenance, and enhancement of products by planning, executing, and analyzing experiments with clear and accurate results.
* Demonstrate innovation and initiative by generating new project proposals and developing R&D programs of significant technical and commercial value.
* Develop and launch new products and methods, improve existing products, and proactively identify and resolve issues before they impact customers or operations.
* Identify, recommend, and lead strategic projects, including the evaluation and adoption of new technology solutions.
* Collaborate with the broader technology team to build and advance technology platforms.
* Provide technical support to Marketing, Sales, and Manufacturing to ensure efficient product flow and accurate technical information for Sherwin Williams customers.
* Develop new and innovative coating technologies that enable the laboratory to deliver differentiated solutions for customers.
* Maintain a strong understanding of customer needs, market dynamics, and relevant business factors.
* Mentor and coach technical professionals at all levels.
* Lead multiple technically complex projects simultaneously.
* Understand and apply the Stage Gate process in project execution.
* Comply with all safety policies and maintain thorough laboratory documentation.
* Independently lead projects and project teams with minimal guidance from management.

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).
* Must be at least 18 years of age.
* Bachelor's degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Math field.
* 10+ years of formulating coatings experience.
* Demonstrated knowledge of manufacturing of coatings and application processes.
* Demonstrated project management skills.
* Project support through effective data analysis.
* Ability to utilize standard software applications including Minitab, spreadsheets, and presentations.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

* 10+ years of OEM paint and coatings experience.
* Experience working with products and technologies including water-based building products for OEM application. Wood coating experience is a plus.
* Experience on customer application lines.
* Customer-facing technical leadership.
* DFSS or Lean Green Belt certified.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: 20%

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

Successful candidate will be required to sign an Employee Restrictive Covenant Agreement where permitted by law.