2026 Leadership Development Program - Automotive

The Sherwin-Williams Company; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The Sherwin-Williams Company is launching an eight-week Leadership Development Program (LDP) at an Automotive Finishes branch. Trainees gain hands-on experience in branch operations, sales, customer service, finance, and strategic planning, with placement into an Assistant Branch Manager role after training within the Northeast region.

Relocation may be required for training and placement. Participants must be 18+, legally eligible to work in the U.S., and hold at least a bachelor’s degree.

Qualifications

• Must have at least a bachelor’s degree by the start of the program.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.
• Must possess a valid, unrestricted driver’s license.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs frequently and up to 70 lbs occasionally.
• Relocation may be required for training and placement.

Responsibilities

• Support branch sales initiatives and customer service excellence.

Skills

Sales

Customer Service

Leadership

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Sherwin-Williams is seeking highly motivated, sales focused, individuals ready to turn their education into real-world experience by building sales expertise, developing leadership skills, and gaining hands-on exposure to branch operations as part of our Leadership Development Program ("LDP"). LDP is an eight (8) week program offering hands-on experience working in an industrial retail Automotive Branch designed to provide successful candidates with comprehensive learning experience through practical, hands-on experience. LDP participants will be assigned to work directly at an onsite industrial retail Automotive Finishes branch location.

Successful candidates will be placed in training position in an Automotive Branch in the Northeast Region covering the following states:

You must be willing to relocate to any one of these locations for the training program

• Virginia
• West Virginia
• Maryland
• Ohio
• Pennsylvania
• New York

During this program, participants will gain essential insight into operations of an automotive branch, sales, customer service, finance, and strategic business planning to support sales and operational growth.

Our training experience provides you with skills necessary for a successful career in management, professional sales, and operation of a branch. Upon successful completion of the 8-week training program, participants will progress into an available Assistant Branch Manager position within the specified sales region.

Relocation may be required based on business needs for the 8-week training period and placement as an Assistant Branch Manager after training. If placement does not occur after the initial 8 weeks, your training may continue at other branches within the region based on business needs. Please note that this program may require two relocations as part of official position placement.

Job duties involve contact with customers, which may include minors; and access to cash and other payment methods, electronic equipment, personal information, store merchandise and 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 customers, staff, employees, vendors, contractors, and the general public.

This position will support Branch Managers in essential aspects of branch sales and operations including the following functions:

SALES:

• Support development of branch market plan based on market conditions and financial objectives.
• Implement business strategies to increase sales and optimize profitability.
• Build knowledge of products to ensure effective customer recommendations.
• Provide excellent customer service and respond to and resolve any customer and/or employee complaints.

LEADERSHIP:

• Ensure compliance with policies and procedures including safety, loss prevention, and security
• Support employee training, development, performance management, and corrective action
• Assist in determining staffing needs and developing work schedules.

OPERATIONS:

• Verify that customer orders and transactions are completed and documented accurately
• Maintain accurate branch inventory levels.
• Analyze management and financial reports, including financial ratios relative to Profit & Loss ("P&L")
• Assist in making deliveries, as needed

Minimum Requirements

• Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age
• Must be legally authorized to work in the country of employment without needing sponsorship for employment work visa status now or in the future
• Must have a valid, unrestricted Driver's License
• Must be able, with or without reasonable accommodation, to retrieve material from shelves and floor stacks and lift and carry up to 50 lbs. frequently and up to 70 lbs. on occasion
• Must have at least a bachelor's degree by the start of this development program
• Must be willing to relocate for this position, if required

Preferred Qualifications

• Willingness to relocate, as required, upon completion of the development program
• Have a bachelor's degree or higher in Sales, Marketing, Management, Business, Operations, or Supply Chain
• Have at least one (1) year experience working in a retail, sales, or customer service position
• Have previous experience working in a team-oriented setting including work experience, extracurricular activities, military service, etc.
• Have at least one (1) year of experience in leadership role(s), supervising others, or leading teams