Americas

Advanced Scientist, Rigid Paper Packaging

Job Location: Americas

Job Category:

Job Schedule: Full Time

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We have a great opportunity for an Advanced Scientist to join the Global Research & Development (R&D) organization for our Printing & Packaging Business Unit (P&P) segment.  Informed by important market needs and new trends, you will develop waterborne product prototypes through your ability to connect structure/property fundamentals with novel product functionality.  Your mindset for identifying problems and creating solutions will fuel a “reason to believe” for the novel functional benefits to be provided by Michelman materials in a way which will help accelerate the growth of the P&P segment.  Excellent problem-solving skills and creativity will be essential to your success as they will allow you to quickly screen new technologies and materials for fit both with the market and with Michelman. Further, it will be essential that you develop a strong collaborative network with other groups including sales, technology, marketing, and manufacturing teams to convert those novel concepts into successful product platforms.  Expect to become a go-to resource for your internal customers as it relates to optimizing coating performance in P&P end use application(s).

 Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate with sales and marketing to develop problem statements based both on trends in the market and on latent customer needs

• Lead in the development of new application-centric solutions to be enabled by Michelman technologies within the P&P technical team

• Design new (and sometimes complex) product development experiments to be conducted at the lab scale – either by you or by others

• Build a working knowledge of coatings application methods and performance tests which will enable the development of new concepts

• Develop new product prototypes by iteratively preparing lab scale batches for evaluation and testing them against market-relevant success criteria/controls

• Document thoroughly and accurately all experiments, analyses, and testing results

• Ensure timely delivery of project-related information/results to company partners

• Plan, initiate, and execute projects using the Michelman project management process

• Provide reports (written and verbal) on technical results/conclusions to business and technology leadership

• Build an effective collaboration with the global technical team to foster a culture of idea exchange and knowledge transfer

• Multiply your individual expertise by drafting effective and easily-understood user guidelines for Michelman’s products – both as “application ready” solutions and as additives to be formulated with other materials

• Provide technical support for customer trials

• Lead internal discussions to ensure that colleagues remain up-to-date on relevant product/application issues

• Maintain a clean and safe work environment

• Perform related duties as assigned or as the situation dictates

Critical Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent analytical and observation skills

• Practical experience developing waterborne products, additives, and/or formulations for various applications including corrugation, paper plates, molded fiber, bio-based / biodegradable coatings, compostable or recyclable solutions for paper converting and flexible packaging, and other applications in Circular Economy.

• Demonstrated track record of innovation, technology scouting, and/or process/product prototyping is highly desirable

• Basic understanding of the range of substrates to be coated in P&P applications and the methods used to apply coatings to them

• Experience with stage-gate project management and the types of documentation required by that process

• Agility/flexibility to adapt to changing business priorities and to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously

• Ability to develop new laboratory methods as needed to address technical challenges and train others (as needed) in their effective use

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal)

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Polymer/Materials Science, or related field and at least five (5) years relevant experience. Advanced degree preferred

• Practical experience developing waterborne materials and/or formulated products for various applications including corrugation, paper plates, molded fiber, bio-based / biodegradable coatings, compostable or recyclable solutions for paper converting and flexible packaging, and other applications in Circular Economy.

Other

• Able to travel by car or plane to visit customers when needed

• Role may on occasion require long periods of standing and/or an extended work schedule

• Role may require heavy lifting from time to time (as much as 50 lbs. to waist level)

• Role will demand appropriate use of PPE - including safety shoes

Note: The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to the job. They are not construed to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.

About Michelman

Michelman is proud of the values-focused work environment that we have crafted. We pride ourselves in our focus on our values of integrity, respect, and success. With our dedication to your technical and professional growth in addition to our rigorous onboarding experience, we guarantee that you will find yourself challenged in new ways. We offer an excellent salary, incentive, and benefits package in a dynamic, empowered team environment.

For more information about Michelman, please visit https://www.michelman.com/.

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