Location: Kendallville,IN, USA
A premier manufacturer is seeking a qualified Product Development Specialist to join their highly successful and growing team, located in Kendallville, IN. Relocation assistance available.
Responsibilities:
• Conduct research to develop and optimize Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) compound formulations for various applications.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including chemists, material scientists, and production engineers, to design and implement experimental plans.
• Perform material testing, analysis, and characterization to ensure product quality, consistency, and adherence to industry standards.
• Troubleshoot and address technical challenges related to compounding processes, raw materials, and product performance.
• Innovate and propose new ideas for product development, cost optimization, and process improvements.
• Utilize statistical tools and methodologies to analyze data and draw meaningful conclusions to drive decision-making.
• Document research findings, experimental protocols, and results in detailed reports.
• Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and regulatory developments related to PVC compounding.
• Assist in the scale-up of laboratory-developed formulations to production-scale processes.
Requirements:
• Bachelor's or higher degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Science, or a related field. Preferred
• 5 years of plastics industry experience. REQUIRED
• 2 years of proven Polyvinyl Chloride PVC specific experience in research and development. REQUIRED (Without this experience, candidates will not be considered)
• Strong knowledge of PVC materials, compounding techniques, and formulation principles and compounding machinery and equipment. REQUIRED
• 1 year of leadership experience in Manufacturing or Military. Strongly Preferred
• Proficiency in experimental design, data analysis, and statistical software/tools. Required
• 1 year of experience with process scale-up and technology transfer from laboratory to production. Required
• Familiarity with polymer characterization techniques, such as rheology, thermal analysis, and mechanical testing. Preferred
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and industry standards related to PVC compounds. Preferred
• Up to 20% travel with possibility of overnights.