Global Fire Protection Portfolio R&D Technical Director

At Sherwin-Williams, our purpose is to inspire and improve the world by coloring and protecting what matters. Our paints, coatings and innovative solutions make the places and spaces in our world brighter and stronger. Your skills, talent and passion make it possible to live this purpose, and for customers and our business to achieve great results. Sherwin-Williams is a place that takes its stability, growth and momentum and translates it to possibility for our people. Our people are behind the strength of our success, and we invest and support you in:

Life … with rewards, benefits and the flexibility to enhance your health and well-being

Career … with opportunities to learn, develop new skills and grow your contribution

Connection … with an inclusive team and commitment to our own and broader communities

It’s all here for you… let’s Create Your Possible

Eligibility to Work

You will need to provide proof of right to work. It is a condition of any offer of employment we make to you that you have the permission to work in the country for the role for which you are applying for.

Equal Opportunity Employer
An equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against based on race, colour, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnic or national origin, disability, age pregnancy or maternity, marital or civil partner status, or any other protected characteristic prohibited by law.

Please be aware, Sherwin-Williams recruiting team members will never request a candidate to provide a payment, ask for financial information, or sensitive personal information like national identification numbers, date of birth, or bank account numbers during the application process.

• Product Development & Execution

  • Lead the full lifecycle of product development for intumescent coatings, ensuring timely and successful delivery from concept to commercialization.

  • Drive executional excellence across global R&D teams, ensuring alignment with business cases and market strategies.

  • Champion innovation and continuous improvement in product performance, application, and system integration.

• Regulatory Standards & Third-Party Testing

  • Serve as the technical authority on global fire protection standards (UL, EN, ASTM, ISO), ensuring all products meet or exceed regulatory and certification requirements.

  • Develop and manage third-party testing programs, including coordination with external laboratories and certification bodies.

  • Monitor and respond to evolving regulatory landscapes, proactively adjusting development strategies to maintain compliance.

• Physical Property & Compatibility Testing

  • Oversee rigorous testing of product physical properties including adhesion, durability, thermal expansion, and fire resistance.

  • Ensure environmental and physical compatibility across substrates, surface preparation methods, primers, and topcoats.

  • Lead system-level validation to ensure product performance in real-world applications.

• Strategic Collaboration & Leadership

  • Partner closely with the Global Fire Portfolio Marketing Director to align technical development with customer needs, market trends, and strategic priorities.

  • Translate business cases into clear, actionable R&D plans with defined deliverables and success metrics.

  • Provide technical leadership across cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration between R&D, marketing, regulatory, and operations.

  • Key Stakeholder in the delivery of the Fire Center of Excellence (FCOE) Approval and Completion

• Advanced degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Minimum of 10 years of leadership experience in coatings or specialty chemicals R&D, with a strong emphasis on regulatory compliance and product delivery.
• Deep expertise in global fire protection standards and certification processes, including successful engagement with third-party testing agencies.

Preferred:

• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, manage complex technical programs, and deliver results aligned with strategic business goals.
• Strong background in physical property testing and system compatibility, especially in multi-layer coating systems.
• Skilled in technical decision-making, risk management, and resource prioritization across global teams.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence across technical and commercial domains.

This vacancy is advertised exclusively for internal candidates, with a closing date of Friday 12th June.

Interview dates: Proposed for the week commencing 8th and 15th June. Successful candidates will be notified in advance, allowing time to prepare.

***Please be aware that you can apply for any internal job offer after minimum one year in current role having previously informed your manager.

Please read the How to apply internally guidelines before handing in your application

All internal employees when applying for a role are required to upload their updated C.V and their last 2 appraisals (which can be retrieved from HR Cloud).