Job Description
Based out of the lab at the Warrensville Technical Center in Warrensville Heights, OH, this position will serve as the subject matter expert for multiple high-dollar ARC (Accelerated Root Cause) investigations, recreate the mode of failure by replication the conditions at the project site where the complaint occurred, identify the root cause, implement corrective actions, and verify those actions were successful in solving the problem. Responsible for independently designing DOEs (Design of Experiment) to structure to recreate the failure. Complete ownership and responsibility for all quality projects that support the P&M Global business unit for both liquid and powder. Once root cause is identified, and corrective actions have been implemented and verified, this role would be responsible for submitting the work as a Continuous Improvement Project so savings can be captured.
Additionally, this position is responsible for traveling to key customer project sites where complaints or failures are occurring so information can be obtained directly from the project site including samples, environmental information, application info, etc. Travel will occur on an "as required" basis based on the size of the complaint, overall risk, specific key customers, and exposure to the P&M organization. This travel will be mostly domestic but can occasionally be international so the candidate would need a valid passport and the ability to travel internationally if required.
The ARC Group Leader will report directly to the Sr. Quality Manager of Innovation and Strategy. They will be responsible for managing a technician who will assist them in running various experiments to support driving towards root cause on various complaints. The intent for the role would be to expand and grow the pool of direct reports as the value is shown for this position. In other words, the intent is for the number of direct reports for this role to expand so they would also need to be comfortable overseeing a team of technicians/chemists.
Support Business Needs
Works with the Quality Excellence Engineer, Senior Quality Manager, and R&D Vice President to plan & review root cause analysis projects that support the Protective & Marine Global Liquid & Powder business unit.
Subject matter expert responsible for executing ARCs, recreation/duplication of failure, and analysis of complaint samples for the Protective & Marine Global Liquid & Powder business unit in collaboration with the Quality Excellence Engineer
Responsible for establishing DOEs to recreate and duplicate coatings failures experienced in the field with the Global Protective & Marine - Liquid & Powder customer base.
Owner of all quality projects that support the needs of the Protective & Marine Global Liquid & Powder business unit in conjunction with the Quality Excellence Engineer.
Partner with key customers to solve problems and provide solutions to the largest challenges.
Collaborate across global cross functional and organizational boundaries, including ability to influence, negotiate and manage stakeholder interests/expectations of P&M Quality objectives.
Works cross divisionally with individuals on multiple teams simultaneously as needed including Analytical, R&D, Marketing, Sales, Quality, Manufacturing, Operations, Commercialization Engineering, Supply Chain etc.
Effectively coordinates work and resources to meet timelines and deadlines.
Effectively manages multiple high-dollar value projects with critical levels of high-stakes exposure for the Protective & Marine Global Liquid & Powder business unit.
Ability to effectively manage a team of technicians & chemists.
Works directly with the Senior Quality Manager to support and execute the quality strategy for the Protective & Marine Global Liquid & Powder business unit.
Identifies opportunities for Continuous Improvement and leads select CI projects to implement corrective actions for quality projects.
Other duties as assigned.
Communication
Communicates projects, tasks, and deliverables to team members and with management.
Communicates clear timelines and priorities to quality team key stakeholders.
Communicate/interface with Marketing, Sales, Operations, Quality, Commercialization Engineering, Supply Chain, Procurement, and other R&D departments and divisions on a daily basis as required.
Adheres to committed deadlines and proactively communicates/establishes contingency plans to adjust expectations when deadlines are unable to be met for a project.
Effectively manage expectations of internal and external customers.
Use data, influence, and credibility to gain acceptance of decisions and recommendations for all quality projects.
Provide regular status updates on quality projects to manger, R&D Vice President, Sales & Marketing or as requested.
Works with others outside of team to gather information for effective project scoping.
Safety
Follows guidelines of 5S, HKE, and other safety rules.
Attends all safety meetings and completes make-ups when absent.
Takes corrective action when a safety issue is identified.
Presents safety topics at team meetings.
Ensures staff is trained and follows guidelines for all safety procedures.
Ensures office and lab areas are kept up to latest safety standards.
Individual & Team Development
Seeks out and takes opportunities to learn, grow, and develop.
Networks with others outside of team and department.
Builds business acumen through formal and informal learning/training.
Sets team and individual objectives.
Manage associates, including performance management, salary planning and administration, training and development, workflow planning, hiring and placement and disciplinary actions.
Conducts performance appraisals.
Focuses on the development of individuals and the team
Develops succession/contingency plans
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).
Bachelor's degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Math field.
Must have at least 3 years of experience in coatings products development, Operations, Quality, Technical, R&D, or Engineering.
Working knowledge of DOE and associated tools such as Kepner-Tregoe, fishbone, 5 Whys, 8-D, etc.
Fully proficient in Root Cause Analysis.
Experience with various pieces of analytical equipment including, FTIR, Optical Microscopy, SEM/X-Ray, GC/MS, DSC, Rheology Analysis, etc.
Proficient with Excel, Word, PDF, and PowerPoint.
Demonstrated strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Demonstrated ability to effectively prioritize, lead, and execute high-volume projects and tasks.
Proficient with working in a laboratory.
Strong presentations skills.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and projects and prioritize appropriately.
Previous direct customer interaction.
Knowledge of more complex problem solving and error proofing skills.
Demonstrated problem solving, project, and project management skills for complex issues.
Ability to travel domestically and internationally for work.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Master's Degree or PhD in Chemistry, Engineering, Polymers, Coatings, or a related scientific field is preferred.
More than 3 years of experience in coatings products development, Operations, Quality, Technical, R&D, or Engineering.
Formulation knowledge of high-performance coatings in the Protective & Marine space featuring complex chemistries (Epoxy, Urethane, Intumescent, Polysiloxane, etc.).
Program knowledge of Business Objects, Navigator, Sharepoint, and Kai Nexus.
System knowledge of Watson, MES, Product Vision, PQR, and Discovery.
PMP Certification.
AMPP Certified Coatings Inspector.
Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt, or Master Black Belt Certified.
Familiarity with various ISO standards such as ISO9001, ISO13485, ISO14001, etc.
Travel Requirements: Up to 30% Domestic and International
Upon completion of construction, the individual selected for this role will primarily work at the new Sherwin-Williams Global Technology Center in Brecksville, Ohio. Construction is expected to be complete in Q4 2024. Until then, the role will be based at the Warrensville Technical Center, located at 4440 Warrensville Center Rd Warrensville Heights, OH 44128.
Sherwin-Williams is proud to be an Affirmative Action, Equal Employment Opportunity, Inclusion and Diversity Supportive Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, age, pregnancy, genetic information, creed, marital status or any other consideration prohibited by law or by contract.
VEVRAA Federal Contractor requesting priority referral of protected veterans.
