What are the responsibilities and job description for the Product Development Chemist position at Mar-Bal, Inc./MBI?
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Providing leadership and direction of quality and inspection, testing, planning, change management, and bill of material (BOM) planning
- Ensure consistency, accuracy, and reliability of processes and quality controls
- Ensuring deliverable products meet or exceed customer requirements and expectations
- Communicating with customer service to resolve problems associated with deliverable products
- Facilitating root cause analyses and mistake proofing of processes to resolve repetitive quality issues
- Assisting in product variability reduction
- Maintenance and improvement of ISO 9001/AS9100 quality systems
- Maintaining integrity of quality records
- Conducting quality training
- Utilization of chemical knowledge and historical ingredients to achieve customer requirements
- Document, analyze, and report test results and development work to corporation
- Support Scale-Up and also support Injection and/or Compression molding trials
- Innovation and time for invention takes up 10% of time.
- Validate and qualify raw material alternatives and new products
- Assist in customer molding and testing
- Form an in-depth understanding of the raw materials used in thermoset molding compound formulation; understand their storage, transport, and integration to form finished products
- Learn the types of compounding equipment used by Mar-Bal – design, operation, and control
- Develop in-depth understanding of Mar-Bal’s Quality Control / Assurance processes
- Develop the ability to understand the function and operation of all testing equipment and analytical instrumentation; develop understanding of how to apply the results of materials analysis
- Provide assistance to laboratory technician to aid in the completion of lab work requests
- Determine resources needed to complete assigned projects, including equipment, training, and other necessary skills
- Attend regular departmental meetings; present project results and findings as needed
- Take ownership and responsibility of the timeline for assigned project activities
- Understand standards as required by EPA, UL, and other regulatory agencies
- Participate on project teams for assigned projects; analyze / recommend improvements in new products or applications, and develop requirements and specifications with input from the team
- Work within specifications provided to meet project goals and objectives in a timely and accurate manner
- Participate with peers, project team members, and other departments on new product development, product line extensions, and product enhancements
- Lead & participate in cross-functional teams to launch commercialization of new products
- Present findings to customers, internal stakeholders as well as industry conferences
QUALIFICATIONS
- Excellent knowledge of analytical problem solving methodologies
- Proficient with Microsoft Excel, Word, and basic statistics
- Ability to utilize project management tools to efficiently manage various projects
- Excellent report writing skills and interpersonal skills
- Excellent communication skills both written and spoken
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATIONS
- Minimum of Bachelor degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or similar fields
- Prefer at least 3 years of thermoset composite experience
- Must be a hands-on chemist able to work with formulators and molders
- Must be able to safely work with chemicals and produce compound
- Able to operate a variety of laboratory mixing equipment an advantage
- Knowledge of Analytical Techniques is advantageous (i.e. FTIR, FTNIR, DSC, TGA, TMA, DSC)
- Efficient in all Microsoft Office products
- Must work in team environment and have excellent interpersonal skills
- Must be Self-motivated and take pride in the quality of work
- Must be able to lift 50 lbs. and be able to see color
- Ability to travel as needed (5-10% of time)
ADDITIONAL SKILLS
- Strong analytical skills; possess the ability to work through technical issues
- Able to read technical documentations, understand specifications, and apply knowledge to solve problems
- Very organized; disciplined approach to documentation and reporting
- Self-motivated – ability to drive task-oriented projects without ongoing supervision
- Safety conscious
Education
Preferred- Bachelors or better in Chemistry or related field