Technical Lead – North America EPR and FPR - Sherwin-Williams

Here, we believe there’s not one path to success, we believe in careers that grow with you. Whoever you are or wherever you come from in the world, there’s a place for you at Sherwin-Williams. We provide you with the opportunity to explore your curiosity and drive us forward. Sherwin-Williams values the unique talents and abilities from all backgrounds and characteristics. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply, including individuals with disabilities and Protected Veterans. We’ll give you the space to share your strengths and we want you show us what you can do. You can innovate, grow and discover in a place where you can thrive and Let Your Colors Show! 

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

. 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/Affirmative Action employer committed to an inclusive and diverse workplace. 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.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS:

(1) REGULATORY SUPPORT:

• Maintain deep Subject Matter Expertise in North America extended producer responsibility (EPR) regulations, Canada Federal Plastics Registry (FPR), and adjacent regulations (Post-Consumer Recycled Content, Single-Use Plastics, Household Hazardous Waste, and Truth in Recycling, etc.), including national, U.S. state, and Canada provincial regulations.  Anticipate changes to North America regulations and prepare Sherwin-Williams to address those changes.  Maintain Knowledge of broader global regulatory landscape for these regulations. Partner closely with Sherwin-Williams Legal department on regulatory applicability and interpretations.


• Lead cross-functional (Product Stewardship, Marketing, R&D, Procurement, Packaging Engineering, Finance, IT, etc.) impact assessments, compliance readiness assessments, and responses for significant new or modified regulations.


• Define and lead implementation of required actions to support compliance and audits by U.S. state, and Canada province stewardships and Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs). Ensure compliance milestones and reporting requirements are met.  Facilitate, support, and host internal and external audits.


• Develop and implement robust regulatory controls and reporting capabilities within key Sherwin-Williams business processes and systems to achieve compliance with regulations.


• Develop robust compliance assurance and reporting tools, such as assessment frameworks, audit protocols, formal Standards, and Key Performance Indicators. 


• Mentor additional Product Stewards, especially on EPR, FPR, and adjacent regulations.

(2) CUSTOMER SUPPORT:

• Provide expert level response to internal and external customer inquiries. Represent Sherwin-Williams on EPR, FPR (and adjacent regulations) regulatory topics during customer, supplier, PRO, and stewardship meetings and internal/external audits.


• Provide regulatory impact assessment summaries to executive leadership.


• Partner closely with Sherwin-Williams Legal department to respond to U.S. state, Canada province, PRO, or state/province stewardship compliance inquiries. 


• Represent Sherwin-Williams externally on trade associations, including committee leadership roles.  In partnership with Government Affairs and Legal, contribute to position papers and key pointers on business-critical legislative and regulatory issues relating to EPR, FPR, and adjacent regulations.


• Provide training to internal customers on EPR, FPR, and adjacent regulation requirements and/or Sherwin-Williams processes.

(3) CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT:

• Lead development of business requirements for any new or enhanced IT systems to support regulatory compliance for Sherwin-Williams with respect to EPR, FPR, and adjacent regulations.


• Implement system or process improvements to improve efficiency, accuracy, or cost of compliance for meeting the requirements of EPR, FPR, and adjacent regulations.


• Provide Subject Matter Expertise on cross functional continuous improvement teams.


• Engage with professional societies as needed to maintain professional certifications.

Locations: Cleveland, Minneapolis, Chicago, and various North American SW locations.  

“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.” 

FORMAL EDUCATION:

Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree in packaging, chemistry, industrial hygiene, or other science or engineering from an accredited institution

Preferred:

• Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in packaging, chemistry, industrial hygiene, or other science or engineering from an accredited institution

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE:

Required:

• 10 years’ experience in regulatory, product stewardship, packaging, or package engineering function


• Experience implementing IT systems to achieve regulatory compliance

Preferred:

• 15 years’ experience in function


• 5 years’ experience on trade association regulatory committees


• 5 years’ experience working with global regulations

TECHNICAL/SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

Required:

• Use a variety of IT applications 


• Excellent presentation skills


• Experience in paint & coatings or chemical industry

Preferred:

• Experience presenting to external and senior leadership audiences


• Project lead of cross functional, large-scale projects or initiatives

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: (TIME SPENT AWAY FROM HOME OR OTHER TYPICAL OFFICE LOCATION)

• 10%