What are the responsibilities and job description for the Product Development Chemist position at Mar-Bal?
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
