Senior Director R&D - Polymer Technology

The Polymer Business Unit R&D Lead is responsible for directing the R&D activities of the Polymer Business Unit and directing the development of new product technologies and key technology programs that drive significant strategic business growth. The role is responsible for the leadership development of products and team members and acts as a key member of the Polymer Council. The position partners with the R&D and business leaders of all divisions to maximize resources in the development of an enterprise-wide polymer roadmap for both water and solvent based resins.

Job duties include contact with other employees and access confidential and proprietary information and/or other items of value, and such access may be supervised or unsupervised. The Company therefore has determined that a review of criminal history is necessary to protect the business and its operations and reputation and is necessary to protect the safety of the Company's staff, employees, and business relationships.

This role can be located in Brecksville, OH, Marengo, IL or Minneapolis, MN.

* This position is accountable for directing the research, development, and commercialization of new product technologies and key technology programs that drive significant strategic business growth. Includes direct responsibility for all polymer tolling technical activities including auditing quality and reliability audits.
* Leads, develops, and shapes a market, team and customer centric workplace culture
* Directs the supervision of:
o 50 Synthesis and polymer development professionals
o 20 manufacturing support engineers
* Works collaboratively with division R&D, Operations and Polymer Council to refine and manage required polymer development, scale up and flawless commercialization to plan, timelines and cost.
* Drives and captures intellectual property developments. This includes creating a balanced portfolio for supporting new product developments as well as maintenance of business activities for risk reduction, cost savings, and consolidations.
* Builds organization capability and drives efficiency of resource utilization, e.g., champions and drives best practices, institutes project management and portfolio management with business leaders and R&D teams, reviews infrastructure requirements, hires, trains and guides people development.
* Promotes a safe work environment by driving safety practices.
* Manages internal/external relationships within a matrix environment
* Leads the integrated talent management activities to attract, develop, provide performance feedback, and retain employees and to ensure optimum level of workforce engagement.
* Completes, delivers, and oversees individual performance management reviews, succession planning, and establishes employee professional development goals to support future business needs.

* Polymer Strategy and Interaction with Operations
o Achieving a multi-yearroadmap in combination with all Business Unit and Technology segment leads.
o Ensuring flawless execution of new product launches through close partnerships with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain and Marketing
o Provides support (including scheduling) for all development and pilot & scale-up work for all SW regional locations
o Interface for Global (EMEAI, Asia, LATAM) polymer development, maintaining communication, coaching/streamlining polymer development, supporting toll manufacture and scale-up polymer portfolio.
o Identifies and qualifies second sources for key raw materials.
o Enables and supports all aspects of the Stage Gate Process and DFSS, enabling successful completion and commercialization of R&D Projects
o Supporting qualifying alternate production sites by participating in Product Transfers (FMAP process) and ensuring all technical activities are fully completed according to agreed timelines
o Setting and managing the IP strategies for the Polymer function including patent filings, joint development and partnership agreements, and technology license agreements.

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 be at least 18 years of age.
* 5 - 10 plus years of experience in leadership and technical management required. Experience leading cross functional teams. Understanding of manufacturing, scale-up, quality processes and procedures, raw materials and regulatory required.
* Understanding of Polymer Products and Paint Industry, preferably across multiple market segments
* Ability to work in a matrix organizational structure, developing strong relationships with all levels of management.
* Demonstrated ability to influence decision makers.
* Technical understanding and knowledge in architectural and industrial chemistry including poly urethane, epoxy, Poly siloxane, vinyl ester, urea, alkyd, and acrylic.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
* Prior experience managing a management team
* Experience working in or managing a team in a matrix organization.
* Experience in managing a team in different geographic locations and across cultural boundaries.
* Experience in managing a portfolio of technology projects.
* Experience in connecting customer product requirements to polymer attributes.
* Experience in supply chain and project risk mitigation methods.
* Experience in management of change and quality systems.
* Experience in DFSS, Six Sigma

Travel Requirements: 20%

This position is not eligible for sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future, including conversion to H-1B visa.