Process Development Leader

Job Description

This role is ideally based near one of the following packaging coatings sites in France, Germany, or the UK (Tournus, Nantes, Norderstedt and Deeside).

This newly created role will put you at the forefront of high‑impact operational excellence initiatives across our packaging coatings sites. You will bring strong technical expertise to manufacturing operations, drive major improvements in plant performance, and contribute to initiatives that span from mid‑scale challenges to large, cross‑site projects. As a Process Development Leader, you will play a key role in shaping complex, multi‑site operations and delivering meaningful, measurable results.

Responsibilities

• Lead large ‑ scale operational excellence and manufacturing strategies across multiple plants, driving improvements in production, maintenance, warehousing, safety, quality, and other critical operational programs.
• Analyze and optimize performance to enhance cost efficiency, safety, quality, throughput, and cycle times. Collaborate globally with Technical, Sales, and Operations to define product and equipment requirements for new product launches.
• Champion global standardization by identifying best practices and ensuring their implementation across sites. Conduct complex analyses to uncover process improvement opportunities and prioritize high ‑ impact initiatives.
• Develop strategic project plans—including process design, engineering scope, and execution frameworks—and serve as a global liaison to executive leadership on manufacturing and operational strategies.
• Play a key role in new product introductions (NFI), Gatekeeper reviews, and MOC processes involving formula, process, and equipment changes. Partner with Supply Chain on raw material changes, manufacturing optimization, and issue resolution.
• Provide PSM and EHS guidance to ensure compliance with reactive chemistry standards and the safe introduction of new products. Support sites directly in the implementation of major projects.

Qualifications

• Chemical engineering background or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in a key leadership or management role within a manufacturing facility.
• Knowledge of reactive chemistry and paint or chemical processing.
• Strong understanding of P&L, Strong PC skills
• Previous experience implementing and using continuous improvement/lean tools such as Six Sigma, 5S, Lean Manufacturing, Transactional Lean, etc., to drive improvement.
• Demonstrated strong leadership, team ‑ building, and advanced coaching skills.
• Ability to work across sites and functions to support standardization.
• PSM and EHS experience.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills across all organizational levels.
• Strong adaptability and flexibility.
• Strong analytical and decision ‑ making skills.
• Fluent English; any additional language is a strong asset.

About Us

• 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.