R&D- Applications Development Manager

Sherwin-Williams • Greensboro, NC

10h • $108,531 - $140,086

About The Position

The R&D Manager, Commercial Applications leads the application laboratory and serves as the technical expert for product application, rheology, and performance optimization within the Industrial Wood Division. The role supports product development, customer implementation, application testing, and technical training, collaborating with internal teams and external customers to validate products, improve processes, and promote successful adoption of Industrial Wood solutions. It also provides hands-on support during customer trials, resolves technical challenges, and aligns laboratory capabilities with real-world manufacturing conditions.

The position includes contact with employees and access to confidential or proprietary information and other items of value. The company states that it may review criminal history to protect its business, operations, reputation, staff, employees, and business relationships. Travel is 20%. The successful candidate must sign an Employee Restrictive Covenant Agreement where permitted by law.

Requirements

• Must be legally authorized to work in the country of application without current or future sponsorship for an employment visa or permanent residence.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math, or at least 10 years of professional Applications experience in lieu of a degree.
• At least 5 years of management or leadership experience, with the ability to communicate effectively in a matrix environment across different organizational structures and physical locations.
• Knowledge of conventional Industrial Wood Coatings flat-line application equipment, including reciprocal, fixed-head spray, roll, curtain-coat, and vacuum coaters.
• Knowledge of rheology and its use in coatings.
• Knowledge of conventional solvent-borne products such as conversion varnishes, lacquers, and polyurethanes, as well as UV products.
• Knowledge of conventional and UV waterborne product applications, as well as 100% solids UV applications.
• Knowledge of key product-application measurement techniques, including film thickness, gloss, and color.
• Experience working at customer application lines and performing line audits.
• Computer skills, including Word, Excel, email, and video conferencing.
• PowerPoint skills and experience presenting to customers.
• Project management and scheduling experience.
• Successful candidate must sign an Employee Restrictive Covenant Agreement where permitted by law.

Nice To Haves

• At least 10 years of applications experience.
• Experience in a technical laboratory.
• Knowledge of rheology as it pertains to Wood Coatings.
• Proven ability to understand and use statistical analysis to interpret product-application data.
• Understanding of typical manufacturing strategies for producing product.

Responsibilities

• Provide testing support and guidance for stage-gate product development, product investigations, and internal and external product benchmarking.
• Calculate, coordinate, and communicate personnel, substrates, application-equipment time, and material quantities for multi-product benchmarking projects.
• Complete application assessments for stage-gate projects across all technologies.
• Complete application work and provide feedback for raw-material replacements, manufacturing-site changes, rework, and technology-transfer projects.
• Use knowledge of product performance to interpret coating-application results and provide feedback to the formulation team developing new products.
• Develop and validate Industrial Wood application procedures aligned with customer line audits.
• Maintain current equipment and plan capital needs for new equipment.
• Manage one or more team members.
• Maintain external scheduling communication with the Industrial Wood team.
• Develop and provide application training to internal and external customers at company and customer sites, including trade shows.
• Develop and maintain customer line-audit documentation.
• Schedule meetings and coordinate materials and substrates so testing and training follow defined processes and product specifications with minimal variation.
• Troubleshoot on external customer lines without technical laboratory assistance.
• Gather information and design testing parameters to reproduce quality issues; provide feedback to Quality and R&D on product and application differences.
• Conduct customer application trials and train local technical-service staff at Industrial Wood sites and customer sites, with or without technical laboratory assistance.
• Host customer visits and lead live product demonstrations using customer substrates; analyze results with decision-makers to support approvals or targeted adjustments to application processes and product selection.
• Coach and mentor team members to support timely project completion and career growth.
• Consult on continuous-improvement initiatives for internal and external customers.
• Consult with the development laboratory on product selection for current and future product systems.
• Consult on creating sales tools, including training manuals and brochures.

Benefits

• The company describes a range of benefits covering retirement, health care, well-being, and commuting; eligibility and specific offerings are provided through the company benefits site.
• The company describes rewards, benefits, and flexibility intended to support health and well-being.
• The company describes opportunities to learn, develop new skills, and grow one’s contribution.
• The company describes an inclusive team and commitment to its communities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager