We are working with a leading supplier of elastomeric polyurethane solutions that effectively drive energy efficiency and sustainability in commercial and residential applications. This role will provide product engineering and chemistry expertise to the Specialty Polyurethane team to enhance organic growth. The team member will provide a key connection point between product development, sales, and customers. In addition to owning development projects, the candidate will conduct customer manufacturing process audits and use this information to scope product development deliverables, as well as organize and facilitate in field product demonstrations. Collaboration with internal cross functional teams to support strategic plans and foster the growth of the Specialty Polyurethane business is required. Strong communication and project management skills are required. This is a customer facing technical role where travel to gather information on manufacturing processes, conducting in field product demonstrations, and optimizing production lines is key to success. We have direct access to the management team and can get immediate review of your experience by the team. Contact us today to learn more about the opportunity.
Role And ResponsibilitiesProvide technical support and leadership within the specialty polyurethane business. Leverage technical experience in the industry market to support both external and internal customers:

• Collaborates with multiple functional areas including manufacturing, purchasing, product management, and sales to establish and execute strategic growth plans.
• Owns formulation development and product troubleshooting projects.
• Solve problems of diverse scope, including product and process development, product and process improvement, field issue resolution, manufacturing efficiencies, and outsourcing support.
• Actively supports the sales team through onsite customer visits.
• Function as the subject matter expert translating customer needs to quantifiable project deliverables.
• Network internally and externally, to acquire information for projects and identify future opportunities.
• Identify new opportunities to provide the basis for technical projects; includes transformational and incremental advances in chemistry and process engineering.
• Partner with operations to assist them in both understanding and ultimately embracing new approaches to existing products and processes as well as totally new ones.
• Develop project schedules, incorporating key tactical items for other functional areas. Plans out, in detail, technical portions of all projects including operational pieces.
• Present technical information to a non-technical audience, and effectively present complex or conflicting information.
• Facilitate the company’s product scale-up process from formulation development to commercialization.
• Utilize Phase-Gate process to manage R&D projects and the use of appropriate project management tools.
• Conduct review meetings as is necessary to ensure that the product and process development priorities are aligned with those of management of the functional areas (Administration, Sales and Marketing, Operations, Logistics, Quality, EH&S, etc.)
• Other duties as assigned by R&D Director.

Additional Notes

• All polyurethane product development equipment including but not limited to balances, titrators, GC, mechanical testers, viscometers, spray machines, mixers, pump saws, dry timers etc.
• Customer production facilities - Various manufacturing equipment and processes.
• The basic work environment is an office, R&D laboratory, or customer site with an average of 1-2 weeks of travel per month (although more travel may be required on occasion). The environment demands that multiple projects be worked on at the same time. Product evaluations will require time to be spent at customer sites. Ability to wear a full-face respirator and pass a pulmonary function test is required for this role.

Qualifications And Education Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree in material science, mechanical engineering, chemistry, or chemical engineering; Masters or PhD preferred.
• At least 5 years of hands-on experience with formulation development in the field of specialty polyurethanes, coatings, adhesives, sealants, foams and/or elastomers.
• Demonstrated experience as a customer facing technical expert. 5 or more years preferred.
• Experience in multiple polyurethane processing and manufacturing techniques.
• Demonstrated polyurethane product development experience.
• Polyurethane chemistry knowledge in the areas of binders, adhesives, polyurea, prepolymers and foams.
• Customer interaction and relationship management experience.
• Prioritize and focus on safety.
• Proactive approach to project management and personal development.
• Work at a high conceptual level providing novel approaches but can also dive into details.
• Encourages a logical scientific approach to identify and initiate development projects.
• Approaches problems in an analytical way.
• Works well with others and utilizes all resources available to the fullest.
• Able to establish professional working networks both within the company and with outside entities.
• Ensures the accurate and timely documentation of all work.
• Communicates clearly to both senior management and team members.
• Provides leadership by example in all core competencies.
• Completes assignments in a timely manner.
• Must be able to travel up to one to two weeks per month.

Preferred Skills

• Expert level proficiency in communication and leadership.
• Ability to work at a high conceptual level providing novel approaches but can also dive into details to mentor staff/teams.
• Employs a logical scientific approach to identify and initiate development projects.
• Approaches problems in an analytical way.
• Mechanical aptitude and the ability to understand and run various pieces of lab equipment.
• Works well with others – utilizes all resources available to the fullest.
• Ability to establish professional working networks both within the company and with outside entities.
• Ensures the accurate and timely documentation of all work.

5 years or greater