Technical Lead - Paper Coatings

Full Job Description

About Us

The company helps companies within the paper packaging industry-and their customers-who are looking for more sustainable materials. Our proprietary coatings achieve key barrier properties using purely bio-based ingredients. They are certified 100% bio-based carbon and recyclable. We're a team with diverse expertise and experience, spread across the US and Australia.

Job Description

The Coatings Scientist will have their finger on the pulse of the functional barrier coatings market and work collaboratively with company's US and Australian-based team and across the organization to facilitate US activities.

We are currently a small team, but with big growth ambitions! We can also offer the successful candidate exposure and experience to other non-technical elements of a high growth science-based technology company.

Role

You will be a key earlier hire for the company in the USA, setting up a base for our technical operations in the US at the Innovation Center at Western Michigan University. Your role will include the following:

• Work directly with bio-based materials and be comfortable with a 'get your hands dirty' approach. This will include laboratory based coating of customers' paper substrates
• Laboratory testing of coatings to ensure they meet specifications (pH, viscosity, dry solids)
• Laboratory testing of coated paper samples, using a wide range of standard industry testing equipment, to ensure they meet specifications (water-resistance, strength, coefficient of friction)
• Coordinating with external laboratories (ie. Tappi Labs) to validate R&D to commercial conditions, as required
• Work with the sales and executive team to ensure that products meet customer needs and are feasible to manufacture at scale
• Work with the broader team and manufacturing partners to scale up lab-developed formulations to commercial scale
• Analyse and interpret data to make data-driven decisions in the formulation and scaling process.
• Support the executive team with US-based sales calls or visits, as required
• Ensure compliance with laboratory safety protocols and regulations, conducting regular safety audits and training sessions to promote a culture of safety and minimize risks in the laboratory environment
• Travel as needed to partner sites and engage in on-site research
  
  

Ideal candidates for this position should be adaptable to the evolving demands of a small, but growing) start-up, where enthusiasm for the product ideas and team collaboration are just as important as the technical skills you possess.

Selection Criteria

• Education - Degree in Chemical Engineering, Paper or Packaging Engineering or Materials Science
• Experience - 5 years of experience in a technical / scientific role at a paper, packaging or coatings company or other related company
• Strong team player
• Adept at understanding technical specifications and maintaining safety standards.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Communication Skills: Demonstrated ability to communicate technical and commercial information effectively with colleagues, suppliers and customers
  
  

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity, regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability or gender identity.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance
  
  

Schedule

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
  
  

Ability To Relocate

• Kalamazoo, MI 49008: Relocate before starting work (Required)
  
  

Work Location: In person