R&D Senior Chemist

Plans and performs technical research, new polymer development, and commercialization processes for the Industrial & Construction team within our EPS polymers business. Responsibilities will include working with multiple technologies, leading multiple projects for new polymer development, formulation and testing, and identifying market technology trends and unmet market needs. The incumbent will have opportunities to demonstrate leadership while providing support to polymer manufacturing, performing independent projects, and supervise technicians on a day to day basis. This position reports to the Technical Manager for Construction & Industrial.

Job duties include contact with other employees and access to 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.

• Serves as a technical lead for the Industrial & Construction team to develop new polymer technologies for relevant markets
• Leads technology innovation for waterborne acrylic and styrenated acrylic resins; leads new product development and technical service projects
• Develops project objectives, which includes timelines, critical to quality metrics, functional requirements, determining project feasibility, and other requirements
• Develops industry relevant coating formulations based on EPS polymers; evaluates using industry standard test methods; educates customers on use and best practices of EPS technology
• Identifies customer requirements and market needs, ensuring alignment with project goals and new technology development
• Reviews and evaluates project status, outcomes, and direction to ensure conformity with project objectives; determines corrective action and implements changes; has considerable latitude within project objectives
• Understands competitive landscape; generates benchmarking data with identified competitive polymers and commercially available coatings
• Serves as a technical expert for EPS products in the Industrial & Construction segments; supports customers with formulation and testing recommendations
• Reads and interprets patents and academic literature, examines new product concepts and technologies, and determines how to meet customer needs and market demands
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Adhere to company safety guidelines at all times

BASIC QUALIFICATION:
* Must be legally authorized to work in the country for which you are applying for employment (without now or in the future needing sponsorship for employment work visa and/or permanent residence status).

FORMAL EDUCATION:
Required:
* Bachelors of Science Degree in Chemistry or a related discipline

Preferred:
* Master's degree or PhD

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE:
Required:
* 5 years of polymer science experience

Preferred:
* 5-8 years of resins and coatings specific industry experience

TECHNICAL/SKILL REQUIREMENTS:
Required:
* Organizational skills
* Communication skills
* Must be proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Power Point)
* Problem-solving skills
* Able to adapt and change quickly in response to new situations/demands
* Ability to tailor communication to fit the needs of the audience

Preferred:
* Understanding of industrial coating formulation
* Design for Six Sigma (DFSS)
* Design of Experiment

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:
* 10%
* Must be able to travel overnight