Senior R&D Chemist

Meridian Adhesives Group is a rapidly growing, full service global adhesive solutions provider, specializing in adhesive technologies used in electronics, industrial, and infrastructure applications. Fueled by a series of strategic acquisitions since its formation in 2018, we have established ourselves as an adhesive technology leader for a broad, global, blue-chip customer base comprised of OEMs, distributors, and industrial clients with an expanding global footprint.

Guided by our core values—Safety & Sustainability, Respect, Integrity, Accountability, and Teamwork—we are driven to make a meaningful impact in everything we do. When you join Meridian, you become part of a dynamic team that values diverse perspectives, fosters professional growth, and encourages bold ideas. We’re committed to creating a supportive environment where you can thrive, grow, contribute to groundbreaking projects, and help shape the future of our industry.

Meridian Adhesives Group does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or staffing firms.  

Job Objective:

This position will be supporting a strategically important area for the Flooring Division of Meridian Adhesives Group for which further growth and investment is anticipated.  The incumbent will independently evaluate, select, and apply standard scientific techniques, processes, and criteria using judgment in making adaptations and modifications creating new products.  The position reports to the Divisional Technical Director.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

This role includes the following with other duties as assigned:

• Rapidly develop an in-depth understanding of the company’s technology base, technical and analytical capabilities, internal processes and procedures, on-going projects and priorities – and immediately begin incorporating such knowledge into daily activities.
• Formulate and test new flooring related products successfully taking new formulas from Ideation to lab scale, through pilot phase and to full production launch.
• Interface with current and prospective customers along with sales colleagues to understand customer’s performance needs, collaborate on projects, scale up new products, and support ongoing sales.
• Project Management and Analytical Trouble Shooting - Conduct short- and long-term projects to achieve technical goals within agreed upon time and cost parameters.
• Provide initial and on-going technical support for pilot and commercial production for finished products and raw materials.
• Support and fulfill the responsibilities required by the Quality, Safety and Regulatory processes and procedures. This includes support to update current product formulas to maintain certifications and to address regulatory compliance.
• Work with sales and marketing to align on CTQs of new incoming projects ensuring a sellable product is produced each time.
• Guide, mentor and role model continuous improvement of the product development and technical support capabilities.
• Prepare content for patent submissions.
• Regularly review applicable current patent landscape and stay up to date on changes that may impact the business.
• Work with outside testing laboratories as well as internal QC laboratories to deliver appropriate testing methodologies for current and future products.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist other locations in division in new product launches or formulations.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• 5 or years of hands-on adhesive product development experience; and familiarity with various adhesive chemistries including waterborne emulsions and latexes, polyurethanes, acrylics, PSAs, solvent based adhesives, hydrocarbon resin based, modified silanes, and epoxy chemistries.
• Proven success in moving products from ideation, through synthesis, trials, plant scale-up and commercialization.
• Knowledge of adhesive markets (Flooring installation, flooring construction, general construction, etc.) and compounding preferred. Additional knowledge of concrete admixtures and chemistry will be a bonus.
• Skilled and experienced in addressing multiple priorities/projects with minimum direction while prioritizing and maintaining focus.*
• Recognized as a valued resource for product recommendations, trials application support, overall product quality improvements and problem solving.
• Recognized for creativity and innovation skills; demonstrated ability to meet development objectives; results driven with an attention to deliverables and timeline management.
• Ability to employ analytical trouble shooting tools in problem resolution and process optimization.
• Energetic; demonstrated self-initiative and drive.
• Considered by previous employers to be a supporter of safety sustainability, respectful in the work place, functioning with integrity, accountability and in support of teamwork.
• Structured, organized and focused; self-disciplined; minimal supervision required.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to function effectively and respectfully within the organization.
• Exceptional communication skills both internally and externally.
• Knowledge and experience with Stage Gate process and DOE methodologies preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office products (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and Outlook.
• Minimum BS Chemistry.
• Experience exploring packaging options and their impacts on performance, testing for packaging stability to protect formulations.
• Experience with AI assisted platforms for formulation iteration and cataloging daily lab work electronically in the form of an e-notebook.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

• Ability to read, analyze and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents.
• Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.
• Ability to write articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format.
• Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

• Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of statistics. Special attention to DOE, Six Sigma approach are preferred.
• Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations. Ability to use those concepts in Microsoft Excel affectively.
• Experience calculating product cost, margins, and basic accounting.

REASONING ABILITY:

• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• This job requires “lab bench” time, time in the plant to scale up products, and time at the computer or on the phone. From time-to-time travel to a trial may be necessary as a part of this role.

JOB PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:

• Consistently develop new formulas and enhance existing formulas to enable company on-going product launch and market penetration.
• Researches and tests new procedures, techniques, machinery, and materials to lower variable unit costs.
• Develops and/or maintains accurate, up-to-date manufacturing procedures for each product produced.
• Develops or revises Standard Operating Procedures and observes workers to ensure compliance with standards.
• Completes all projects within budget and allotted time frames.

NOTE:      This document may be modified, amended or altered as needed as changes in duties and/or responsibilities are defined and/or re-defined.