Chemicals
Research & Development
Location: Tennessee
5+ to 7 years of experience
Management Experience Required – No
Minimum Education – Bachelor’s Degree
Willingness to Travel – Occasionally
The position will have responsibilities ranging from technical service for existing customers to product and application research and development. The applicant should have demonstrated real-world expertise formulating polyvinyl chloride (PVC). He or she will serve as a technical expert for PVC formulations both for customers and internal partners and will be expected to conduct/oversee laboratory work to troubleshoot problems and develop data to support new business opportunities. The successful candidate will be able to communicate with and advise others and will need to function effectively in multidisciplinary team environments. Travel will be expected, though the exact nature and amount will depend upon project mix and priorities. The candidate must be willing to travel domestically and internationally to participate in customer visits and trials as well as attend trade shows and conferences when justified.
Responsibilities:
To provide technical service for existing and prospective customers. This will include:
-Conducting lab work to acquire knowledge and understanding of product applications and problems encountered by customers
-Calling on customers and prospects and developing positive working relationships
-Developing and providing technical presentations, literature and other documentation
-Participating in or leading product or application development teams.
-Developing formulations utilizing commercial or developmental plasticizer products that meet target fitness for use and processing characteristics. Providing feedback to guide R&D efforts.
-Becoming an industry expert on PVC plasticization and leverage this expertise to identify opportunities and competitive threats so that Eastman’s plasticizers can be correctly positioned in the marketplace.
MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIREMENT:
Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, Polymer Science or Chemical Engineering from accredited university / college
QUALIFICATIONS:
-Experience/Job Knowledge/Expertise:
oThe candidate must have 3+ years of work experience and / or post-graduate work in product formulations in the area of plastics, coatings, adhesives, and / or rubber
oThe candidate should have at least 3 years work experience developing and implementing PVC formulations
oExperience with multiple conversion processes and with a variety of plasticizers and resin types are pluses
-Judgment: Able to understand customer needs and identify opportunities for plasticizers. Able to prioritize projects based on their importance to both external and internal (business) customers. Able to identify areas where we can increase sales of our products, whether old products in new applications or new products in old or new applications.
-Initiative: Must be self-motivated, looking for new applications or improvements in current applications. This also applies to his or her desire to develop and apply new insights and knowledge.
-Leadership: Will be expected to provide technical solutions and may be called upon to lead cross-functional teams or other projects.
-Technical Skills: Must have demonstrated practical knowledge of product formulations in the area of plastics, coatings, adhesives, and or rubber. Must have the ability to develop into an industry expert on use of non-phthalate plasticizers in PVC. Should have familiarity with applicable test methods and health, safety, and environmental (HSE) regulations.
-Communication Skills: Able to make presentations to customers professionally either as a seminar or for training purposes. Write reports on customer calls. Clearly communicate customer needs, opportunities, threats, etc. to business, sales and marketing partners. Document work in technical reports and protect intellectual property.
-Teamwork: Must able to participate in cross-functional and natural unit teams. Must be able to work with people having different personalities and with people at various levels within the organization.
-Travel: Must be willing to travel both domestically and internationally.
If interested, please submit your resume to resumes@acquis.com. Thank you!
