Lead Expert, Chemistry

Job Summary:

The Lead Expert, R&D Chemistry plays a lead role in the development and commercialization of new industrial gas related technologies for industrial and environmental applications that deliver valued added benefits to our customers and provide technical differentiation for Messer vs. our competitors.  This role serves as a key technical resource to support business efforts that deliver profitable growth and develop lasting customer relationships. The Lead Expert will also be responsible for highly technical and focused development efforts which fall outside of the scope of day-to-day development activities and projects. 

Why Messer?

Messer is the world’s largest privately held industrial gases company and what we do matters because it is woven into every part of life, from the medical gases that patients rely on to the essential elements needed to safely and sustainably produce the goods our communities depend on.

The true strength of Messer is our people—at every level and in every role.

Join us and take pride in the impact you will make by providing solutions essential to our world and lives. Reach your highest potential at our stable, inclusive company with diverse opportunities in a growing industry, supported by people who care.

Messer stands apart because we put what matters first, and you matter.

Principal Responsibilities:

• Drive forward Messer objectives in developing inherently safe products and through pro-active interactions with colleagues in lab, field and at customer sites.
• Coordinates the design and execution of cross-functional project plans for application development projects.
• With team members and in accordance with corporate objectives, facilitate the setting of project objectives, key milestones, and scope.
• Lead project team meetings and ensures that clear actions and decisions are documented, communicated, and committed to, enabling timeline achievement.
• High-quality execution and on-time achievement of cost, schedule, and performance goals of large scale and complex development projects.
• Maintain frequent communication with the cross-functional project team members and key internal stakeholders so that all parties are aware of current project status, issues, contingencies, and milestones.
• Track realized performance, adjusting to align with shifting priorities and reporting to management.
• Interfacing with internal and external customers
• Build strong working relationships across departments, with key stakeholders, and management to ensure transparency and to facilitate communication.
• Establishes and lead a consistent and effective ideation process that assimilates both internal and external ideas into a prioritized and actionable pool or future development ideas.
• Project management – responsible for managing multiple 1 - 3 $M budget development projects.
• Support commercialization of new products.
• Gathering ideas for new applications/products, evaluating feasibility and initiation of new projects.
• Safeguarding new ideas via patent applications.
• Planning and execution of approved R&D projects.
• Initiate and support acquisition of reference/lead customers for new products together with local experts.
• Assist with the compilation of business concepts and the realization of product launches.
• Customer project support for knowledge transfer, aligned with Market Segment and Americas strategy.
• Generate materials for knowledge transfer related to new technologies.

Required Skills:

• Deep knowledge of processes used in the Chemicals sector.
• Industry experience in chemicals applications and the development and delivery of value-added new products into a market.
• Must be an innovative, driven, highly organized initiative-taker with the ability to manage multiple activities and comfortable interacting with all levels of management within the company.
• Recognized as a technical expert across the Messer organization within their field of expertise.
• Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of the industrial gases, equipment and customer processes required.
• Effective communication skills.
• Successful track record of interpersonal, people, time management, organizational, and prioritization skills.
• Willing and able to learn new skills to meet the changing needs of the organization.
• Project and project management experience or academic background in chemical process improvement. Proven record of successful research and product development, from concept origination through bench-, lab- and pilot-scale testing to commercial implementation.
• Curiosity for, and engagement with emerging technologies.
• Experienced at working in a collaborative team environment.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or similar; MBA preferred
• 10 Years of experience with chemical formulations and applications in at least two of the following areas: industrial gases, metals recovery and refining, hydrogen, aerospace, carbon footprint reduction, air emissions, solid waste/wastewater treatment, and water quality/chemistry.

About Messer:

Messer’s safety culture, commitment to providing dependable supply and innovative gas technology solutions help customers unlock opportunities to be safer, more sustainable, more productive and more efficient, so their business thrives. We nurture lasting, meaningful relationships with customers, our communities, and with one another.

We offer comprehensive benefits and appreciable pay, with steady schedules and opportunities for ongoing training and career progression. We prioritize and invest in our people at every level of our organization – the dedication, knowledge, customer focus and entrepreneurial spirit of our employees is what make Messer refreshingly different.

If you need assistance with the application or would like to request accommodation, call (877) 243-1030.