PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANUFACTURING TECHNICIAN

Vybond•Franklin, KY

About The Position

The Product Development Manufacturing Technician prepares and operates pilot-plant equipment and provides hands-on manufacturing support for product development, product improvement, raw-material qualification, process validation, and cost-reduction trials. Working under the direction of the Pilot Plant Supervisor and in coordination with Product Development Engineers and Associates, the Technician stages and accounts for materials, prepares equipment, executes pilot and production trial activities, monitors operating conditions, collects samples, records process parameters and material usage, and supports equipment cleanup and trial closeout. The role requires identifying equipment or process issues, communicating observations in real time, maintaining accurate and traceable records, and following approved trial plans, safety requirements, quality systems, and operating procedures. The Technician also supports production-scale trials and manufacturing improvement activities, maintains pilot-plant and R&D storage areas in 5S condition, and may assist the R&D testing laboratory with sample preparation and routine testing when trial-support workload permits. The position is full-time, entry-level, located in Franklin, Kentucky, and listed for the first shift (8 hours); hours may vary as needed to support trials.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
At least 2 years of manufacturing experience required; 5 or more years preferred.
Demonstrated mechanical aptitude and hands-on experience operating, setting up, adjusting, and troubleshooting manufacturing or pilot-scale equipment.
Ability to perform routine equipment care, identify conditions requiring maintenance or technical support, and promptly communicate those issues to Maintenance.
Ability to follow trial plans, operating procedures, work instructions, specifications, and safety requirements, and accurately document process conditions and observations.
Ability to monitor operating parameters, recognize abnormal equipment or process conditions, and communicate issues in real time.
Basic mathematical and computer skills, including Microsoft Excel and Word, and ability to maintain accurate material, inventory, and trial records.
Commitment to safe chemical handling and manufacturing practices, including compliance with SDS, OSHA, environmental, and company requirements.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, respond with urgency, and adapt to changing pilot and production trial schedules.
Ability to work effectively with Product Development Engineers and Associates, manufacturing operators, Quality, Maintenance, and other cross-functional personnel.
Ability to work independently within established procedures and recognize when equipment, process, safety, or quality issues require escalation.
Flexibility to work varying hours as required to support pilot and production trials.
Forklift certification or ability to obtain company-required forklift certification.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree or technical certification in manufacturing, industrial technology, maintenance, process technology, or a related technical discipline.
At least 5 years of manufacturing experience, ideally in coating, converting, calendaring, extrusion, mixing, web handling, or similar continuous manufacturing operations.
Working knowledge of manufacturing processes from raw-material preparation through finished-product handling.
Experience working within ISO 9001, IATF 16949, ISO 13485, or similar quality-management systems.

Responsibilities

Operate pilot-plant manufacturing equipment for product development, product improvement, raw-material qualification, process validation, and cost-reduction trials in accordance with approved trial plans and procedures.
Prepare, set up, adjust, and clean pilot-plant equipment before, during, and after trials; perform routine equipment care and contact Maintenance when support is needed.
Monitor pilot equipment operation and process conditions, identify abnormal conditions, troubleshoot within established procedures, and promptly communicate issues requiring additional technical or maintenance support.
Support production-scale trials by staging and accounting for raw materials, assisting with equipment and line preparation, collecting samples, performing process checks, recording material usage and process parameters, and submitting samples for testing.
Maintain accurate pilot-plant, inventory, OPC, MSO, experimental-material, and trial records, ensuring data integrity, accuracy, and traceability.
Ensure pilot manufacturing activities, protocols, equipment operation, and documentation comply with applicable quality systems and internal requirements, including ISO 9001, IATF 16949, and ISO 13485 as applicable.
Maintain pilot-plant and R&D raw-material and finished-product storage areas in 5S condition, including proper identification, organization, storage, and disposition of trial materials.
Support Manufacturing and Product Development with cost-improvement, process-improvement, and troubleshooting activities through hands-on equipment and trial support.
Handle, store, and dispose of chemicals safely in accordance with SDS, OSHA, environmental, and company requirements, and promote a safe work environment.
Support the R&D testing laboratory with sample preparation and routine testing when pilot-plant and trial-support workload permits.