R&D- Scientist (Industrial Wood)
About The Position
The R&D Scientist leads the assessment, development, reformulation, quality, maintenance, and enhancement of industrial wood coating products. The role plans, executes, and analyzes experiments to achieve performance, quality, and economic goals, and uses advanced technologies to develop differentiated products that exceed consumer expectations. The scientist solves complex product and process problems using expert knowledge of raw materials, formulations, substrates, instruments, coating application equipment, and customer processes. The position is accountable for completing multiple moderate- to high-complexity projects accurately and on time, often independently, while mentoring less experienced formulators. It requires expert knowledge and experience in related coatings technologies and markets, with 30% travel. The role also involves contact with employees and access to confidential or proprietary information; the company states that a criminal-history review is necessary.
Requirements
- Must be legally authorized to work in the country of application without now or future sponsorship for an employment visa or permanent residence.
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Bachelor’s degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics field.
- At least 8 years of coatings formulation experience.
- Experience with solvent-borne coatings formulation.
- Experience applying and troubleshooting OEM coatings.
- Strong understanding of solvent-based product end use and customer processes.
- Familiarity with ASTM, KCMA, BIFMA, WDMA, and AAMA performance parameters and testing methods.
- Familiarity with common finishing equipment in Industrial Wood markets, including kitchen cabinet and furniture segments.
Nice To Haves
- Master’s degree in Chemistry, Polymer Science, Coatings Technology, or a related field.
- At least 10 years of coatings formulation experience.
- Experience formulating conversion varnish products for the kitchen cabinet market segment.
- Experience with direct customer interactions, including presentations, finishing line trials, and quality investigations.
- Mentorship experience.
- Proficiency using DFSS tools in product development.
- DFSS Green Belt Certification.
- Conversion varnish formulation expertise.
Responsibilities
- Adhere to safety policies, laboratory procedures, ISO procedures, and safety practices.
- Lead product assessment, development, reformulation, quality, maintenance, and enhancement by planning, executing, and analyzing experiments.
- Demonstrate innovation and initiative in proposing projects and R&D programs of strategic significance.
- Develop new products and methods, improve existing products, and anticipate, prevent, and solve complex technical problems.
- Identify, recommend, and lead strategic projects and assess technology solutions.
- Collaborate with the innovation team to develop and implement technology platforms.
- Develop solutions to complex product and process problems using expert knowledge of raw materials, substrates, application equipment, and instrumentation.
- Preserve technical resources by issuing periodic project and reformulation reports and documenting formula changes.
- Work with sales, marketing, quality, and manufacturing to support an orderly flow of products, support, and information to customers.
- Develop innovative coating products that provide differentiated customer solutions.
- Understand Industrial Wood Division customer market segments and coating performance requirements.
- Mentor lower-level technical professionals.
- Lead multiple technically complex projects simultaneously without supervision and independently lead projects or groups without direct manager supervision.
- Understand and use the Stage Gate Process in product development.
- Maintain laboratory equipment, including calibration and appropriate documentation.
- Provide technical assistance as required and remain aware of current developments.
- Apply business awareness and a broad perspective to develop commercially important products and processes and leverage internal technology to maintain and reduce cost.
Benefits
- Benefits intended to support health and well-being, including retirement and health care offerings.
- Opportunities to learn, develop new skills, and grow professionally.
- Flexibility to enhance health and well-being.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
