R&D Technical Specialist

Job description

The qualified candidate will be a hands-on R&D Chemist to drive the benchtop synthesis and formulation of next-generation adhesives and coatings for our Label and Graphic Materials (LGM) business. Based at our Mill Hall facility, this role is primarily focused on laboratory-scale polymer development while overseeing the critical transition of these formulations through pilot and full production scale-up. In this role, you will actively participate in formal new product development and cost-out projects supporting an internal customer base consisting of our commercial PLT, our R&D leadership and downstream coating operations.

You will translate commercial strategies into real-world technical solutions while ensuring those solutions align with manufacturing and cost constraints. You will also collaborate with other technology/research teams and business units - keeping current on new/emerging technologies. Additionally, you will be a key catalyst for pipeline innovation - proactively scouting new raw materials and generating a robust, continuous stream of new ideas for novel polymer development and high-impact cost-out initiatives.

Representative Activities

Apply a hands-on approach and scientific principles of adhesion, polymer synthesis and formulating methods and design for a variety of technical projects of varying scope and complexity in support of the LGM-NA growth and cost-out goal. Act as technical leader on project teams consisting of multi- departmental team members for the development and promotion of adhesives and coatings for to targets products and applications.

Lead development of experimental designs, oversee testing, interpret data, prepare technical reports to be shared with internal team members and stakeholders. Translate new product requirements into actionable work plans. Assist project teams in the scoping of work plans through interaction with commercial teams and customers. Conduct travel for the purposes of gathering customer needs, executing experimental trials and team collaboration (up to 25% travel possible) Define projects for other Applications Laboratory staff.

Work safely

Qualifications

Minimum BS/MS in Chemistry or Polymer Science, with at least 5 years experience in polymer design, synthesis, formulating and scale-up. Experience in commercial product development – particularly in the acrylic pressure sensitive industry including high speed coating and drying a plus. Experience in the application of pressure sensitive adhesives in the label industry is highly desired. Demonstrated knowledge and application of statistical design of experiments.

Demonstrated excellent verbal & written communication skills. Well-developed time management skills with the ability to balance and/or lead multiple projects simultaneously. Consistent track record of effective team member roles on multi-functional teams comprised of R&D, Operations, Legal, and Commercial/Customer personnel. Ability to foster creativity/innovation while ensuring project progress and lab efficiency