R&D- Quality Program Manager

Sherwin-Williams; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Sherwin-Williams in Minneapolis seeks an OEM/GI Customer Leadership role to drive global quality programs for major customers like Kubota, John Deere, CAT. You will translate customer needs into technical requirements and coordinate across R&D, manufacturing and quality.

This high-impact role requires 11–15 years in coatings/related fields, cross-functional leadership, and strong data analysis. Travel 30% domestically and internationally; sponsorship not offered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Math field.
• 11–15 years of experience in coatings products development, operations, quality, technical, marketing or sales.
• Strong cross-functional leadership and communications skills.
• Proven ability to lead Root Cause investigations and data-driven decisions.
• Experience with OEM programs and direct customer interaction.

Responsibilities

• Leads global quality and technical program execution for strategic Global OEM GI Customers.
• Partner with Commercial and Marketing to translate customer needs into technical requirements.
• Owns resolution of complex, multi-site quality issues and drives customer satisfaction.
• Translate requirements into plans; lead reviews and governance for portfolios.
• Develop SOPs and train site personnel; create monthly performance reports.

Skills

Global quality leadership

Technical program management

Cross-functional leadership

Customer interface

Data analysis

Root cause investigations

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Science/Engineering/Math

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Access

Minitab

Job description

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.

Responsibilities

OEM / GI Customer Leadership

• Leads global quality and technical program execution for strategic Global OEM GI Customers (Kubota, John Deere, CAT, etc)
• Partner closely with Commercial and Marketing teams to translate customer needs into clear, executable technical requirements.
• Connects customer requirements, R&D, manufacturing, and quality systems
• Owns resolution of complex, multi-site quality and technical issues
• Drives global alignment, prioritization, project execution, and customer satisfaction at scale
• Serve as the primary technical and quality interface for strategic OEM customers

Global Program Leadership

• Translate customer requirements into clear, executable technical and quality plans
• Lead customer-facing reviews, including qualification, complaint resolution, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Lead complex, multi-region project portfolios (innovation, qualification, scale-up, MOB)
• Establish governance, scope, milestones, risk management, and resource alignment globally
• Provide executive-level visibility and decision support for the portfolio

Cross Functional Execution

• Cross functional responsibility to lead teams including R&D, Quality, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Regulatory
• Key customer and internal contact for OEM programs and meetings. Includes High Impact leaders, Quarterly Customer Continuous Improvement meetings, etc.
• Perform effective data analysis to support complex investigations. Data analysis must be presented in a way that all can interpret it easily to drive the correct conclusion.
• Develop Technical or Customer facing standard operating procedures and provide training to site personnel to ensure procedures are followed.
• Create/maintain monthly reports to track and improve metrics related to servicing Global accounts, trial success rate, project turn times, complaint cycle time, etc
• Utilizes customer data and helps them analyze and solve complex customer line problems as requested.

Qualifications

• Must be legally authorized to work in the country of employment without needing sponsorship for employment work visa status now or in the future (e.g., OPT, CPT, H1B, EB-1,etc.)
• Bachelor’s degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Math field.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must have at least 11 - 15 years of experience in coatings products development, Operations, Quality, Technical, Marketing, or Sales
• Flexible work schedule to adapt prioritization changes and needs
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to lead a cross functional team to a successful outcome
• Strong presentations skills
• Program knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, and Access, Minitab
• Demonstrated success in leading Root Cause investigations and analysis tools
• Previous direct customer interaction
• Knowledge of more complex problem solving and error proofing skills
• Must be able, with or without reasonable accommodation, to determine the difference between colors so you can correctly tint paint to the colors desired by customers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Majors in Chemistry, Engineering or a related field
• Six Sigma Green Belt

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

30% Domestic and International

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

Successful candidate will be required to sign an Employee Restrictive Covenant Agreement where permitted by law.

About Us

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 At Sherwin-Williams, part of our mission is to help our employees and their families live healthier, save smarter and feel better. This starts with a wide range of world-class benefits designed for you. From retirement to health care, from total well-being to your daily commute—it matters to us. A general description of benefits offered can be found at http://www.myswbenefits.com/. Click on "Candidates" to view benefit offerings that you may be eligible for if you are hired as a Sherwin-Williams employee.

Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case and will impact where actual compensation may fall within the stated wage range. The wage range listed for this role takes into account the wide range of factors considered in making compensation decisions including skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. The wage range, other compensation, and benefits information listed is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, with or without notice, subject to applicable law.

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws including with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act where applicable.

Sherwin-Williams is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, age, pregnancy, genetic information, creed, marital status or any other consideration prohibited by law or by contract.

As a VEVRAA Federal Contractor, Sherwin-Williams requests state and local employment services delivery systems to provide priority referral of Protected Veterans.

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.