What are the responsibilities and job description for the BMC Product Development Chemist position at Plastics Engineering Company (PLENCO)?
Job Summary
The BMC (Bulk Molding Compound) Product Development Chemist works under the general direction of the Director of Materials Engineering. This job involves developing new or improved BMC formulations and researching and testing alternative raw materials according to priorities set by Management. The Chemist is responsible for assigned projects or application development, including the initial development stages, molding trials at the customer, and transfer into production. This may require working directly with the customer and with internal departments, as needed and approved to develop the product.
Duties are performed with minimum supervision, but include conferences on planning, scheduling, progress, and difficulties encountered on projects or work assignments. Requires knowledge and involvement with materials characteristics and processing, chemical systems, process control systems, instrumentation, processing equipment, and regulatory requirements such as OSHA and ISO.
Main Duties :
Acquires and maintains working knowledge of BMC equipment and processing procedures to provide insight and expertise for possible improvements. Conceives and submits ideas to supervision for improvements to quality, safety, productivity, and profitability.
Works closely with Director of Materials Engineering, BMC Product Development Specialist, and BMC Technical Manager to schedule equipment for experimental runs or sample preparation.
Provides technical support to BMC Technical Representatives, Technical Service Engineers, and customers. Visits customers for molding trials and to provide startup and troubleshooting assistance, as directed. Develops and maintains customer specifications and requirements. Conducts and / or supervises investigative procedures regarding customer complaints; advises production and sales personnel relative to such complaints.
Assists with training of Sales, laboratory and production personnel in BMC processing techniques. Acquires and maintains working knowledge of all department equipment.
Receives and initiates contact with Company personnel including Technical Representatives concerning test data, laboratory projects, and samples.
Ensures records and written reports regarding formulas, test results, project reports, and equipment and supplies are maintained.
BMC Research and Development
Develops new BMC formulations or modifies existing products as assigned by Director of Materials Engineering. Works with customer as directed to create formulations that meet their specifications. Prepares experiments to be run in laboratory. Performs experiments personally or works with Technicians to prepare and test laboratory samples or trial batches of material. Coordinates production of laboratory samples with BMC Technical Manager and Product Development Specialist. Maintains specimens of trial batches, and assigns or performs physical and mechanical property tests of material.
Analyzes and tests competitor’s compound, as directed. Assesses new raw materials for BMC and recommends changes to improve product quality, characteristics, or cost. Specifies and tests raw materials for new formulations, or to improve or reduce costs of existing formulations.
Assists with initial production runs and has testing performed for initial data sheets. Monitors experimental manufacturing code products in production.
BMC Production
Assists in the development of shop packets, mixing procedures and quality assurance standards. Provides technical support to production for quality problems. Investigates product quality concerns as assigned. Provides Quality Assurance support as directed.
Experience and Qualifications :
Preferably (but not required) 5 years of experience in :
- Conducting and directing R&D work on Bulk Molding Compounds
- Product and process development
- Supervising and directing technicians
- Extensive knowledge of BMC chemistry, applications and processing techniques
- Comfortable with having direct customer contact / interaction
- Experience with industrial manufacturing processes
- Project management - internal and external
- Project documentation and creating reports
- Knowledge of prudent lab practices
- Some programming experience a plus
Soft skills :
Education :
Interested individuals should submit a resume and contact information to :
Jesse Brotz, HR Manager
Plastics Engineering Company
PO Box 758
Sheboygan, WI 53082-0758
or to : jobs@plenco.com
The Company is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
