R&D Team Leader

SherwinWilliamsUk; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading provider of coatings solutions in Greater London is seeking a Senior Chemist to lead the development of formulations from lab to production scale. This role requires strong project management and a thorough understanding of the coatings market and compliance with regulatory standards. The successful candidate will have over 7 years of industry experience, a degree in a related field, and the ability to innovate in product development. Attractive benefits and career growth opportunities are offered in a dynamic, inclusive environment.

Benefits

Competitive compensation programme

Company bonus

Private medical insurance

Career growth opportunities

Continuous training programmes

Qualifications

• 7+ years of industry experience in product development.
• Ability to present project plans to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience with stage-gated project plans.

Responsibilities

• Oversee development and optimization of formulations.
• Conduct lab development and testing.
• Lead, coach, and train team members.

Skills

Product development

Strong understanding of coatings market

Knowledge of European regulatory landscape

Project management

Education

Degree in chemical engineering or related field

Job description

Are you ready to make a significant impact on a dynamic and growing company? We are seeking a talentedSenior Chemist / R&D hands‑on team leader who will be based at our Sheffield site and will oversee the development and optimization of robust formulations from lab to production scale and support as required once in the market.

In this role you will be responsible for...

• Oversee development and optimization of formulations from lab to production and market support
• Develop new products / formulations and reformulate existing ones
• Conduct lab development, testing, analysis, competitor benchmarking, and stability studies
• Evaluate and approve alternative / new raw materials, including supplier meetings
• Progress projects to production scale‑up, ensuring compliance with FMAP processes
• Write and present technical reports to stakeholders; ensure regulatory compliance and performance metrics
• Contribute to ideation and innovation processes, building a pipeline of innovation and NPD projects
• Lead, coach, and train team members, coordinating work to meet R&D targets and maintaining project documentation

The skills and experience we are ideally looking for...

• Degree in chemical engineering, chemistry, polymer / materials science, or related field with 7+ years of industry experience
• Proven experience in product development using stage‑gated project plans
• Ability to present clear and structured project plans and complex information to technical and non‑technical audiences
• Strong understanding of coatings / sealants market and formulation best practices
• Knowledge of the European regulatory landscape and industry testing standards (ISO / EN / ASTM)
• Experienced in introducing new products into manufacturing environments
• Proven track record of writing and presenting posters / papers at international conferences
• Knowledge of local manufacturing processes and Lean Six Sigma tools, with project management experience using stage‑gated processes

Our offer

• Competitive compensation programme
• Company bonus
• Company contributed pension
• Private medical insurance
• Career growth opportunities in a truly international environment
• Innovation leaders in the protective coatings industry
• Sherwin Academy offers continuous training programmes for all seniority levels
• Attractive wellbeing, mental health, women & inclusion and ID&E programmes

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.