Process Chemist

This position is for Process Chemist working within the Process Development Group in the Performance Films Technology Organization located in Martinsville, VA. Candidate will be primarily supporting automotive and architectural markets for Window Films and Paint Protection Films. The position will have responsibility to be a liaison between Technology and Manufacturing with a keen focus on understanding chemistries and raw materials various manufacturing processes to exploit in best-in-class process development, fundamental enhancement of process technology, and successful scale-up while adhering to internal manufacturing readiness protocols. The position also includes scouting new process technologies and chemistries for roll-to-roll coating and lamination operations.

Candidate must be flexible, proactive, and professional to refine and build experience in scale-up and process development applications such as coatings, pressure sensitive adhesive formulations, radiation cured polymeric coatings, and web handling. Candidate should be able to communicate effectively and function in an innovative, fast-paced, multidisciplinary team environment.

Actively participate in full compliance with the site's Zero Incident Mindset Safety programs along with MOC system and be involved in chemical reviews and chemical/process safety improvement in the department.

Identify safety concerns and implement countermeasures to correct potential safety issues via engineering and administrative solutions

Monitor day-to-day performance of operations and process issues. Coordinate and execute experimentation at lab, pilot or commercial scale to support process upsets and resolve issues.

Identify process improvement opportunities and develop solutions for Manufacturing which enhance yield, selectively and/or process efficiency.

Support development of coating and adhesives product solutions through technical efforts at lab and pilot scales.

Identify novel technology solutions to support development of both new and existing products, including identification of tollers or academic partners.

Spear-head scale-up of new materials in collaboration with product and manufacturing teams. Develop clear scale-up pathways through use of process methodologies and communicate progress to cross-functional partners.

Identify raw material improvements and execute qualification studies.

Develop and refine analytical methods used to control product quality.

Proactively define and execute experiments to broaden understanding of fundamental chemistry for new and existing products/processes.

Develop capital projects proposals (includes developing scope, conducting project safety reviews, and generating estimates)

Building out modeling/theory and applying it going forward with final products.

Interface with Project managers and teams to clearly understand the needs to advance the project and meet the deliverables in Technology-Manufacturing Readiness Level and interpret into the trial plans by partnering with operations and other functional teams.

Communicate results, conclusions, and recommendations to internal and external audiences.

Document technical solutions and product/process improvements view internal reports and patents where possible.

Develop strategies and lead teams to obtain the information necessary for successfully scale up new products and processes to commercial scale, either in existing assets or new design to build.

Provide technical and business assessments to guide management through decisions and choices in development and scale-up of new products/processes.

Ph.D. required; preferably in Inorganic, Organic, or Polymer chemistry or Chemical Engineering, preferably related to coatings and adhesives fields.

2+ years of direct manufacturing support preferred.

Experience with wet coating and curing applications (ex: Gravure/Slot Die and UV cure) and Roll-to-Roll Web handling techniques preferred.

Computer environment: Microsoft: Word, Excel, Power Point.

Familiar with Six Sigma Methodology using statistical software like Minitab.

Ability to handle multiple assignments of varying complexity

Strong leadership and interpersonal skills for implementation of cross-functional process improvements

Strong background in analytical skills for problem solving of large/complex problems and proven ability in decision making.

Good written, listening, and verbal communication skills

Be a team player in a team environment

Be a self-starter and a self-motivator

Willingness to respond to call outs and flexibility to work extended hours for urgent project and plant needs.

Willingness to flex schedule to support operational issues when needed

Have a desire to make a measurable positive impact to plant performance and profitability

Have a desire to obtain hands on experience in R&D and plant operating environments

Ability tocommunicateclearly and concisely both verbally and in writing with varied audiences: manufacturing, fellow researchers, business and technology management, and executive management.