PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE

Vybond•Franklin, KY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Product Development Associate executes assigned product development and improvement activities, with a focus on alternate raw material qualification, production validation, cost reduction, supply continuity, and process improvement. Working under the guidance of Product Development Engineers and the Product Development Manager, the Associate prepares for and oversees assigned development and qualification activities, monitors laboratory, pilot, and production trials, records process conditions and observations, coordinates testing and sample collection, evaluates results against established acceptance criteria, and documents conclusions and follow-up actions. The Associate represents Product Development during assigned trials, confirms that approved trial plans and process conditions are followed, identifies deviations, communicates concerns in real time, and escalates technical or operational issues for engineering review. The role supports cross-functional coordination, testing, documentation, troubleshooting, and follow-up production runs while adhering to plant safety, quality, environmental, document-control, and change-control requirements. The position is based in Franklin, Kentucky, and is listed as full-time on the first shift, eight hours.

Requirements

Associate degree in a technical discipline is preferred; an equivalent combination of technical education, manufacturing experience, laboratory experience, or related training will be considered.
Zero to three years of relevant experience in product development, laboratory testing, quality, manufacturing, engineering technician, or process-support work is preferred.
Ability to follow written test methods, specifications, qualification plans, trial protocols, safety procedures, and work instructions accurately.
Ability to collect, organize, and perform basic interpretation of technical data, compare results with established requirements, and recognize conditions requiring escalation.
Hands-on mechanical aptitude and willingness to work in laboratory, pilot, and manufacturing environments while maintaining focus on technical coordination and documentation.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, and standard computer applications.
Strong organizational and interpersonal skills, including the ability to coordinate multiple activities, meet deadlines, and communicate effectively with hourly personnel, technical staff, and management.
Ability to travel and work flexible hours as required to support scheduled production validation trials.
Ability to work under the direction of Product Development Engineers and management while demonstrating initiative, reliability, attention to detail, and sound judgment within defined procedures.

Nice To Haves

Experience with adhesives, coatings, polymers, extrusion, rubber mixing, continuous web coating, converting, or related manufacturing processes.
Experience with data entry, document control, or electronic quality systems.
Familiarity with ASTM standards, PSTC test methods, ISO systems, quality processes, change control, or laboratory best practices.
Previous experience supporting material qualifications, production validations, quality inspections, laboratory testing, or manufacturing trials.

Responsibilities

Execute assigned product development, product improvement, alternate raw material qualification, cost-reduction, and process-validation activities using approved specifications, test methods, trial plans, and change-control requirements.
Prepare materials, laboratory testing, production schedules, technical documentation, and cross-functional support for development, improvement, and qualification projects.
Lead day-to-day execution of assigned production validation trials in coordination with Product Development, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and other applicable functions.
Confirm trial readiness by verifying materials, production schedules, equipment availability, sampling plans, test requirements, acceptance criteria, and required approvals.
Represent Product Development during assigned laboratory, pilot, and production trials and observe trial execution, process conditions, material usage, sampling, and adherence to approved trial plans.
Monitor key process parameters and product observations during qualification trials; document conditions and deviations, communicate concerns in real time, and escalate issues that may affect trial validity or product performance.
Collect representative samples and, in collaboration with the Testing Team, perform routine physical and performance testing in accordance with ASTM standards, PSTC methods, internal procedures, product specifications, and customer requirements.
Compile, organize, and summarize qualification and validation data; compare results with specifications and acceptance criteria, identify exceptions or trends, and escalate technical concerns for engineering review.
Prepare trial reports, qualification summaries, protocols, specifications, change-control documentation, and supporting records under the direction of Product Development Engineers or management.
Maintain accurate and traceable project, laboratory, raw material, test, and trial documentation in applicable company systems and shared records.
Monitor follow-up production runs and coordinate additional testing to confirm successful implementation and sustained performance of approved product, process, or raw material changes.
Support Product Development Engineers with product and process troubleshooting and development activities through structured testing, data collection, sample evaluation, trial monitoring, documentation, and root-cause investigation support.
Communicate qualification status, trial observations, process deviations, results, risks, open items, and follow-up actions to Product Development and cross-functional stakeholders.
Identify and support opportunities to improve product performance, manufacturing processes, material utilization, raw material cost, supply continuity, and value engineering while maintaining quality, regulatory, and customer requirements.
Follow plant safety, quality, environmental, document-control, and change-control requirements and contribute to a safe work environment.
Develop technical knowledge of pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes, adhesives, coatings, films, foils, fabrics, release liners, raw materials, and related converting processes through training and hands-on experience.
Perform additional responsibilities as required to support business objectives.