R&D Chemist/Chemist I

POSITION SUMMARY:

The purpose of Sherwin Williams R&D Chemist role is to support new product development and product optimization activities in line with customer requirements and organizational quality standards. The role contributes to the organization by performing laboratory testing, supporting value engineering initiatives for cost optimization, handling customer complaints, and providing technical support to Production and Quality teams to ensure consistent product performance, compliance, and timely delivery.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Performs analyses, tests, and development of new or updated formulas that require an intermediate understanding of chemistry, product lines, and materials; assists with determining quality standards.

• Assists with developing and adjusting product formulas and coding, develops test batches and applies a basic understanding of application principles and practices; assists with the development and scale of production formulas.

• Assists with analyzing, evaluating, and selecting materials for tests and production batches.

• Serves as a team member for projects that are complex in nature and are generally sub-sets of larger objectives and provides professional support to the product development, quality control, manufacturing processes, and other operations.

• Interprets and applies department policies and procedures and applicable laws, rules, and regulations; ensures compliance with these areas.

• Assists with developing reports and documents detailing test, project, and overall results.

• Responds to complex questions and concerns from plants, research technicians, quality control, customers and other internal and external parties regarding development and related programs and services.

• Operates, cleans, and calibrates a variety of equipment that requires professional judgment and background; also utilizes technical or standard equipment during projects.

• May assist with general project development and provides input regarding budget, resources, timelines, and other project requirements.

• May supervise or serve as a lead to lower-level technicians or support personnel performing research projects.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

• Applying intermediate professional chemistry principles and practices.
• Operating a variety of laboratory equipment.
• Performing several professional formulating tasks.
• Applying fundamental application methods and procedures.
• Interpreting and applying department policies and procedures and applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
• Communicating technical information.
• Solving problems and recommending solutions.
• Prioritizing daily project tasks.
• Applying a general understanding of the commercialization process.
• PC skills; Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook); and other applicable applications.
• Communicating with co-workers to provide and receive directions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Incumbents may be subjected to moving mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibrations, fumes, odors, dust, gases, chemicals, oils, and other conditions found in laboratory environments.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Positions in this class typically require reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, typing, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.

• Medium Work: Exerting up to 20 kg of force occasionally, and/or up to 9 kg of force frequently, and/or up to 4.5 kg of force continuously to move objects.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• 5-7 years of industrial chemistry experience, experience within the paint and/or coatings industry is preferred.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry or equivalent education and experience. Comprehensive technical experience is required for this level without a degree.

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