Chemist II

Hexpol•Barberton, OH

About The Position

To develop and continuously improve the overall efficiency, compound cost, overall product profitability through lean manufacturing, industrial engineering, and project management methods for a variety of markets/applications. To prevent and eliminate variability and define permanent solutions to ensure the product meets internal and external specifications.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry, Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, or other technical areas. Experience may be considered in lieu of education.
Seven (7) years' engineering position in manufacturing environment.
Working knowledge of statistical process control and computerized mixing procedures.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Excellent computer/systems skills - MS Office (Excel/Word/PowerPoint/Outlook).
Excellent cooperation, collaboration skills and team-building skills.
Solid organizational and prioritization skills with the ability to handle multiple tasks, meet tight deadlines, and manage a broad range of responsibilities.
Effective analytical and problem-solving skills with an emphasis on continuous improvement.
High degree of concentration with attention to detail, high energy, self-motivated and self-reliant.
Ability to coach and develop Associates.
Ability to interact well with all personality types.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in Engineering or other Lean Training, preferred.
Five (5) years' experience in any rubber manufacturing or custom compounding environment, preferred.
Certified Quality Engineer or Six Sigma Certification, desired

Responsibilities

Initiate, develop, evaluate, and improve the manufacturing of polymeric compounds on new and current polymeric compounds for all areas of business.
Set up and follow all new recipes through customer trials.
Provide technical and problem-solving support to manufacturing including process improvements, quality improvement measures, raw material substitutions and reformulations.
Manage recipe/formulation design characteristics in the areas of critical to controls and critical to quality.
Assist with customer visits to follow trials and troubleshoot their process. Also participate in audits.
Analyze, review and revise compounds/formula to improve overall productivity and cost.
Interface with customers to drive compound recipes and/or specification changes.
Assist with corrective actions for both internal/external defects.
Follow up and ensure execution of all corrective actions as outlined by the complaint procedure.
Determine disposition of all off-tested batches, held, and returned material.
Determine repair ingredients and physical testing needed.
Support and improve ISO9001:2015 certification.
Participate in the development of Process Technicians.
Remain technically current with processing equipment, raw material changes and new technical developments in the industry.
Represent HEXPOL at trade association meetings, as requested.
Travel to other HEXPOL locations or to customers may be required.
Perform any other project/task as assigned by Management.