Product Development Specialist

About the position

The Product Development Specialist - Coatings will be based out of Ashtabula, Ohio and will be responsible for providing developmental, technical support to our customer base in the Coatings markets and provide start-up support to Operations when projects are scaled up to production quantities.

Responsibilities

• Set a positive example with respect to safety and overall professional performance.
• Prepare project plans, periodic reports, and Gate Review information to allow smooth transition of new products from development through scale up to Operations.
• Design, plan and execute project elements in the laboratory and plant, as well as in customers’ plants and laboratories, if needed, to meet customer requirements and expectations.
• Be responsible for the completion of bench work and processing work necessary to convert opportunities or to resolve issues through formulation.
• Directly interface with vendors and/or customers to define and convert opportunities and resolve issues.
• Provide effective and timely communication at every stage of a project, including progress reports, updates, and project milestones reached or missed.
• Accompany commercial sales on customer visits for collaboration opportunities and/or development opportunities.
• Work independently and in collaboration with other team members to meet project goals with accelerated schedules and significant commercial impact.
• Compose presentations and reports to internal/external parties.
• Perform laboratory, pilot-scale and manufacturing work involving the development and/or scale up of dispersion products and processes for a multitude of coatings applications.
• Coach and review the work of lower level professionals.
• Comply with safety rules and regulations, lead/support safety meetings and training, inspect work area for hazards/deficiencies and initiate action to correct them.
• Maintain lab notebooks to organize, analyze, and record work product.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• BS/BA in an appropriate field of science (MS in Chemistry or Chem. Eng. preferred).
• 3+ years technical experience in the coatings industry.
• Nominal understanding of color science with experience in the area of dispersion, wetting, and additive activity.
• Ability to analyze, design and implement projects.
• Ability and willingness to travel –– occasionally, on short notice.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications as required.

Nice-to-haves

• Good interpersonal skills with ability to work with and support colleagues, analyze and solve problems, control resources and implement programs, and possess project management skills.
• Knowledge of critical chemical functionalities for waterborne/solvent born architectural and industrial urethanes, epoxies, acrylics polyester chemistries with respect to coatings industries.
• Willingness and ability to continuously increase and maintain skills and knowledge in significant work areas.
• Ability and willingness to work on multiple projects in an organized and structured manner.
• Good oral communication skills – capable of providing presentations.
• Good writing skills; able to write clear and concise reports.
• Good understanding of Vibrantz products and customer processes.
• The ability to operate in a self-directed manner and make independent decisions as required.
• Ability to carry out efficient communication with team members as well as internal and external customers.