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Global Fire Protection Portfolio R&D Technical Director

On-site in BOLTON·Added 4 months ago (last checked 6 Oct)

Overview

Job details

  • Up to £127,000 a year

    Gross, as stated in the ad.

    About £6,590 a month after tax.

Benefits

  • 25 days holiday

    Per the ad, which doesn’t say whether bank holidays are on top.

Skills

Requirements

  • Advanced degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical field. 
  • Minimum of 10 years of leadership experience in coatings or specialty chemicals R&D, with a strong emphasis on regulatory compliance and product delivery.
  • Deep expertise in global fire protection standards and certification processes, including successful engagement with third-party testing agencies.

Preferred

  • Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, manage complex technical programs, and deliver results aligned with strategic business goals.
  • Strong background in physical property testing and system compatibility, especially in multi-layer coating systems.
  • Skilled in technical decision-making, risk management, and resource prioritization across global teams.
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence across technical and commercial domains.

What We Can Offer You...

  • The established salary range for this position is up to GBP 127,000  gross annual in the UK. 
  • Company bonus plan
  • Private medical insurance
  • Company car allowance
  • Life Pension Scheme: Company-contributed for your future security.
  • Flexible Working Schedule: Includes weekends and bank holidays.
  • Sick Pay and Annual Leave: Continued salary payment during sickness and 25 days of annual leave.
  • Work-Life Balance: We value your personal time and well-being.
  • Career Opportunities: Grow within a truly international business.
  • Ongoing Training and Support: Continuous learning and development opportunities.

Pay transparency

The salary range shown refers to base salary only. In addition to this, we offer a broader total reward package which may include bonus or incentive pay, relevant allowances, and a range of competitive benefits. We encourage candidates to consider the full package when evaluating an offer.

Salary is determined using a structured and objective framework, taking into account the role’s responsibilities, required skills and experience, market benchmarks, and internal equity. This ensures pay decisions are fair, consistent, and aligned with our commitment to equal pay and legal compliance.

The salary range shown refers to base salary only. In addition to this, we offer a broader total reward package which may include bonus or incentive pay, relevant allowances, and a range of competitive benefits. We encourage candidates to consider the full package when evaluating an offer. 

Salary is determined using a structured and objective framework, taking into account the role’s responsibilities, required skills and experience, market benchmarks, and internal equity. This ensures pay decisions are fair, consistent, and aligned with our commitment to equal pay and legal compliance. 

In accordance with EU pay transparency requirements, we provide a salary range based on our preferred country of hire. Compensation varies depending on location. The salary range applicable to the location of candidate will be shared early in the recruitment process.

#LI-JR1

 

The role

Product Development & Execution

  • Lead the full lifecycle of product development for intumescent coatings, ensuring timely and successful delivery from concept to commercialization.

  • Drive executional excellence across global R&D teams, ensuring alignment with business cases and market strategies.

  • Champion innovation and continuous improvement in product performance, application, and system integration.

Regulatory Standards & Third-Party Testing

  • Serve as the technical authority on global fire protection standards (UL, EN, ASTM, ISO), ensuring all products meet or exceed regulatory and certification requirements.

  • Develop and manage third-party testing programs, including coordination with external laboratories and certification bodies.

  • Monitor and respond to evolving regulatory landscapes, proactively adjusting development strategies to maintain compliance.

Physical Property & Compatibility Testing

  • Oversee rigorous testing of product physical properties including adhesion, durability, thermal expansion, and fire resistance.

  • Ensure environmental and physical compatibility across substrates, surface preparation methods, primers, and topcoats.

  • Lead system-level validation to ensure product performance in real-world applications.

Strategic Collaboration & Leadership

  • Partner closely with the Global Fire Portfolio Marketing Director to align technical development with customer needs, market trends, and strategic priorities.

  • Translate business cases into clear, actionable R&D plans with defined deliverables and success metrics.

  • Provide technical leadership across cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration between R&D, marketing, regulatory, and operations.

  • Key Stakeholder in the delivery of the Fire Center of Excellence (FCOE) Approval and Completion

  • Advanced degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical field.
  • Minimum of 10 years of leadership experience in coatings or specialty chemicals R&D, with a strong emphasis on regulatory compliance and product delivery.
  • Deep expertise in global fire protection standards and certification processes, including successful engagement with third-party testing agencies.

Preferred

  • Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, manage complex technical programs, and deliver results aligned with strategic business goals.
  • Strong background in physical property testing and system compatibility, especially in multi-layer coating systems.
  • Skilled in technical decision-making, risk management, and resource prioritization across global teams.
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence across technical and commercial domains.

What We Can Offer You...

  • The established salary range for this position is up to GBP 127,000 gross annual in the UK.
  • Company bonus plan
  • Private medical insurance
  • Company car allowance
  • Life Pension Scheme: Company-contributed for your future security.
  • Flexible Working Schedule: Includes weekends and bank holidays.
  • Sick Pay and Annual Leave: Continued salary payment during sickness and 25 days of annual leave.
  • Work-Life Balance: We value your personal time and well-being.
  • Career Opportunities: Grow within a truly international business.
  • Ongoing Training and Support: Continuous learning and development opportunities.

Pay transparency

The salary range shown refers to base salary only. In addition to this, we offer a broader total reward package which may include bonus or incentive pay, relevant allowances, and a range of competitive benefits. We encourage candidates to consider the full package when evaluating an offer.

Salary is determined using a structured and objective framework, taking into account the role's responsibilities, required skills and experience, market benchmarks, and internal equity. This ensures pay decisions are fair, consistent, and aligned with our commitment to equal pay and legal compliance.

The salary range shown refers to base salary only. In addition to this, we offer a broader total reward package which may include bonus or incentive pay, relevant allowances, and a range of competitive benefits. We encourage candidates to consider the full package when evaluating an offer.

Salary is determined using a structured and objective framework, taking into account the role's responsibilities, required skills and experience, market benchmarks, and internal equity. This ensures pay decisions are fair, consistent, and aligned with our commitment to equal pay and legal compliance.

In accordance with EU pay transparency requirements, we provide a salary range based on our preferred country of hire. Compensation varies depending on location. The salary range applicable to the location of candidate will be shared early in the recruitment process.

#LI-JR1

About Sherwin-Williams

The Sherwin-Williams Company is a global leader in paints and coatings, delivering paint and coatings products to customers worldwide. The company reports more than 64,000 employees, operations in over 120 countries, more than 5,400 company-operated stores and branches, and over 130 manufacturing and distribution facilities.

Its business spans architectural coatings, industrial coatings, and manufacturing and distribution, with a performance coatings portfolio covering areas such as aerospace, automotive, coil and extrusion, general industrial, industrial wood, packaging, and protective and marine. The company also serves DIY and professional painters through its stores, offering paints, stains, supplies, color tools, and consultation services.

Industry
Paints and coatings
Employees
64,000+
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