R&D Senior Chemist

Sherwin-Williams - Marengo, IL

Full-time - Senior

Marengo, IL

Chemical Manufacturing

About the position

The Senior Chemist position at Sherwin-Williams is a pivotal role that requires a seasoned professional with extensive experience in waterborne latex and a proven track record of implementing technical strategies and projects. The successful candidate will serve as the primary technical contact, addressing complex inquiries from customers, research professionals, and quality control teams regarding existing product lines. This role demands a high level of independence in planning and supporting technical research, new polymer development, and commercialization processes, particularly within the North American coatings market. In this position, the Senior Chemist will lead multiple strategic projects focused on new polymer development with minimal managerial oversight. Responsibilities include identifying market technology trends and addressing significant unmet market needs. The candidate will act as a technical lead for new polymer technologies, particularly in waterborne acrylic, styrene acrylic, and polyurethane dispersion resins, while also overseeing new product development projects and guiding the R&D team. The role involves developing project objectives, timelines, and materials, as well as determining project feasibility. The Senior Chemist will create industry-relevant coating formulations based on EPS polymers, evaluate them using standard test methods, and educate customers on best practices. Additionally, the candidate will review project statuses, implement corrective actions, and ensure alignment with project goals. Participation in industry events, publishing in trade journals, and collaborating with internal business development partners to identify new market opportunities are also key aspects of this role. The position requires a thorough understanding of EPS, industry, and competitor technologies, and the ability to provide technical direction and assistance to customers regarding product lines and coatings formulations.

Responsibilities

• Independently lead multiple strategic projects for new polymer development with minimal manager direction.
• Serve as a technical lead for new polymer technologies for relevant markets.
• Lead technology innovation for waterborne acrylic, styrene acrylic, and polyurethane dispersion resins; lead new product development projects; monitor group work and provide direction to the R&D team.
• Develop project objectives, timelines, materials, and other project requirements; determine project feasibility.
• Develop industry relevant coating formulations based on EPS polymers; evaluate using industry standard test methods; educate customers on use and best practices of EPS technology.
• Identify customer requirements and market needs, ensuring alignment with project goals and new technology development.
• Review and evaluate project status, outcomes, and direction to ensure conformity with project objectives; determine corrective action and implement changes.
• Serve as a member of project and business teams and assist with developing division or group sales, production, research, and related objectives.
• Understand competitive landscape.
• Actively participate in industry events which may include publishing in trade journals, speaking at society meetings, and participating in regulatory, method development or other industry relevant committees.
• Collaborate with internal business development partners to identify and assess new market opportunities.
• Oversee and/or serve as a primary technical contact and respond to highly technical and complex questions and concerns from customers, research professionals, quality control, and other internal and external parties regarding EPS products.
• Read and interpret patents and academic literature, examine new product concepts and technologies, and determine how to meet customer needs and market demands.
• Apply a thorough understanding of EPS, industry, and competitor technologies, application methods, products, and manufacturing processes regarding the research and development of new polymers.
• Assist with developing appropriate policies and procedures to ensure compliance with research and development principles and practices and applicable laws, rules, and regulations; monitor compliance with these areas.
• Respond to questions and concerns from the customer regarding product lines, formulating, and general operations; operate under limited supervision and involve complex situations that require project management to resolve situations.
• Provide technical direction and assistance to customers on the use of product lines and coatings formulations; serve as an expert in a single technology or apply a working knowledge of multiple technologies and may involve multiple sites.
• Serve as a liaison with sales by interacting with customer technical personnel, developing a complete understanding of needs and operations, and providing observations and leads to sales.
• May direct work of lower-level technical staff, which includes prioritizing and determining work direction.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering is required; Master's or Ph.D. is preferred.
• 5 years working in a lab setting.
• Experience administering technology programs.
• Knowledge of business administration principles and practices.
• Experience applying project management principles and practices.
• Ability to interpret and apply department policies and procedures and applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
• Comprehensive application methods and procedures knowledge.
• Ability to interpret data and develop reports.
• Experience working with internal and external customers.
• Strong communication skills for conveying technical information.
• Ability to read and interpret patents.
• Knowledge of commercialization principles and practices.
• Proficient in PC skills; Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook); and other applicable applications.

Benefits

• Wide range of world-class benefits including health care and retirement options.
• Opportunities for career growth and development.
• Support for employee well-being and work-life balance.