Sr. Chemist

BISSELL Homecare•Grand Rapids, MI

About The Position

The Senior Chemist leads development of new Consumables products within existing product lines and directs Product Development & Engineering (PD&E) activities to meet BISSELL requirements and support successful product launches. The role develops and maintains supplier relationships with limited oversight and serves as a technical communications link within BISSELL and with external customers and suppliers. The Senior Chemist works across product teams and functions to lead technical development, including chemical formulations and packaging designs. The position supports project planning, testing, documentation, quality, regulatory and legal deliverables, and collaboration with Operations and external contract packagers. It may also include mentoring or managing Co-Op and Intern programs, with oversight from the Director of Consumables Development.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry or a related science; an advanced degree is required for early entry in the classification.
At least 6 years of experience in Product Development.
Experience leading multiple full-cycle product launches.
Demonstrated strength in chemical formulation fundamentals and technical project management.
Experience developing test protocols and analyzing data and test results.
Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office products.
Global strategic thinking and implementation; continuous improvement; impactful oral and written communication; ability to manage or contribute to multiple dynamic priorities; professional expertise; active information seeking and sharing; interpersonal and collaborative skills; and initiative.
Ability to manage data flow, perform analysis, generate summary reports, and communicate by voice or data while connected in the office, at home, or while traveling using a laptop or mobile device regularly, without regard to time zone or day of the week.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated experience formulating and developing both hard-surface and soft-surface cleaning products.
Demonstrated leadership skills in mentoring and supervising technical staff.

Responsibilities

Lead Consumables product development and bring market-winning products and technologies to the business; monitor technical issues on assigned projects and direct activities to support project success.
Conduct, supervise, and approve development of chemical formulations and chemical package designs, including bottles, triggers, and aerosols, and their associated material specifications, test plans, purchased-component specifications, and end-product specifications.
Ensure proper project documentation is incorporated into BISSELL systems.
Collaborate with Consumer Design, Marketing, Sales, Quality, Purchasing, Package Engineering, and Operations on cross-functional product teams to lead technical efforts for new product launches within established product lines.
Use systematic problem-solving and knowledge-capture techniques for Consumables products.
Prepare and present technical information to functions outside R&D, including Senior Management, on projects or issues that may affect business decisions.
Collaborate with the Director/Manager of Consumables Development to recommend and participate in improving methods, equipment, and staffing.
May manage Co-Op and Intern programs with oversight from the Director of Consumables Development, including interviewing, hiring decisions, and direct management of daily activities.
Estimate technical project resource requirements and expenses.
Stimulate team-member performance through example.
Monitor progress on chemical projects to ensure complete and accurate documentation of core competencies.
Make sound decisions when data is limited, anticipate problems, and formulate contingency plans.
Monitor analysis of test data reviewed by junior Chemists or Technicians, and analyze test results for complex formulation and package-design functions to ensure product integrity and performance.
Control the accuracy and completeness of technical deliverables required on projects.
Monitor Package Engineering, Test Lab, Regulatory Compliance, Legal, and Model Shop departments to plan and provide accurate project data and timing for smooth workflow of deliverables.
Work with Operations on issues related to raw materials and external contract packagers.
Monitor execution of Quality Plans on critical components or assemblies to maintain agreed performance as products mature or changes are made.
Provide information to prepare and verify technical content of patents and related legal documentation for assigned projects.
Control expenditures to stay within planned spending.
Perform other duties as assigned.