R&D- Technical Manager (Industrial Wood)
About The Position
The Industrial Wood Laboratory is seeking a Technical Manager to lead the development and commercialization of new and existing products for OEM Industrial Wood customers. The role works closely with Industrial Wood Sales and Marketing to identify product development needs and timelines, and coordinates project activities across relevant Sherwin-Williams functions. The position is accountable for technical programs and projects supporting large OEM Industrial Wood Products, customer relationships and satisfaction, product execution, and development of the technical team. Travel is 20%. The role involves contact with employees and access to confidential or proprietary information; a criminal-history review may be conducted.
Requirements
- Must be legally authorized to work in the country of application without current or future sponsorship for an employment visa or permanent residence status.
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Bachelor’s degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) field.
- 8 years of experience in coating formulation and applications.
- 5 years of experience managing or supervising direct reports and experience in people development.
- Customer-facing interaction experience.
- Experience with successful product development and launch.
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor’s degree in a business-related field.
- Knowledge or experience in industrial paint formulations and processing.
- DFFS/Lean Green Belt and/or Kepner-Tregoe expertise.
- Formulation expertise.
- Experience with industrial applications such as curtain coating, DRC, or vacuum coating.
- Knowledge of wood composite manufacturing and/or coating, such as fiber cement or OSB.
Responsibilities
- Lead the portfolio of technical programs and projects supporting large OEM Industrial Wood Products.
- Implement a customer-centric culture focused on innovative solutions, execution excellence, and continuous improvement.
- Translate technology strategy and objectives into tactical operational deliverables, and hold the technical team accountable for goals and objectives.
- Collaborate with business and cross-functional leaders to anticipate and assess industry trends, business opportunities, and value creation through innovation and continuous improvement.
- Drive customer focus and technical relationship plans for key OEM manufacturers and internal customers, and take responsibility for customer satisfaction and business retention.
- Oversee high-quality execution of multiple projects, including under intense demand for short-term solutions.
- Coach and develop team members, define career growth paths, identify skill gaps, and create targeted development plans.
- Provide timely feedback and address performance issues with actionable development plans.
- Promote a culture of innovation and technical excellence informed by customer and market insights, technologies, and methods.
- Foster belonging, engagement, and a positive, collaborative work environment.
- Identify skills and knowledge needed for successful performance, recognize high contributors, and identify or remove performance barriers.
- Ensure timely and appropriate performance communication aligned with individual and business success factors.
- Optimize resource output across work types and time horizons for the segment.
- Provide steady leadership and guidance through uncertainty, changing priorities, and technically challenging projects under pressure and time constraints.
- Coordinate product development project activities with pertinent Sherwin-Williams functions.
- Travel 20%.
Benefits
- The company describes a range of benefits covering retirement, health care, well-being, and commuting; eligibility and details are available through its benefits site.
- Opportunities to learn, develop new skills, and grow one’s contribution.
- Flexibility and support to enhance health and well-being.
- An inclusive team and commitment to communities.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
