Sr R&D Chemist

Job Description

Job Description

Company Description

Since its founding more than 100 years ago, ITW has become one of the world’s leading diversified manufacturers of specialized industrial equipment, consumables, and related service businesses.

We place a high premium on the development of innovative solutions most of which are developed in tandem with our customers.

And we continue to ensure that our customers receive timely, cost-effective service for the innovative products we provide.

ITW’s differentiated business model is composed of a set of unique core capabilities : our proprietary 80 / 20 business process, customer-back innovation, and our well-known decentralized entrepreneurial culture.

These capabilities are unmistakably ITW and key to our longevity and strong performance. Learn more about careers at ITW here! Working at ITW

ITW Specialty Films, a global division of ITW within the Specialty Segment, manufactures and markets specialized coated films for the Secure ID, Medical Specialty Bag, and Financial Card markets.

The division leverages unique core competencies and technologies in films, foils, laminates, and holography to address customer needs.

The division operates in 5 manufacturing facilities (US, UK, and Germany), and offers a fun, fast-paced work environment with a dynamic, collaborative, growth-oriented team.

Job Description

We are seeking a motivated skilled chemist to join our dynamic team. As a key member of the innovation team this role will lead, and support formulating complex chemistries and perform product development from concept to commercialization.

This position will grow and enhance our technical capabilities while creating new products to drive organic growth throughout our strategic markets.

This is a fantastic opportunity for professional and personal development to grow in your career.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities :

• Conceptualize formulations to meet customer needs, Test and evaluate chemistries against specifications. Troubleshoot development as necessary.
• Write and perform test protocols based on customer end usage.
• Conceptualize formulations to meet customer needs, Test and evaluate chemistries against specifications. Troubleshoot development as necessary.
• Write and perform test protocols based on customer end usage.
• Provide detailed information about process control / adjustments in writing, before a product is transferred to Q.C. or production to ensure that the product will meet all necessary and identified specifications.
• Understand internal manufacturing processes to produce quality product.
• Working with Sales and Technical Manager, analyze technical opportunities for customer solution and chances of success, recommend feasibility.
• Develop specialty, multi-layer coatings whether solvent based, aqueous, hot melt, etc.
• Manage multiple projects and / or large complex projects (over 1 year), from concept to commercialization. Visit customer sites and perform pilot runs.

Understand customer’s manufacturing process and / or product usage to achieve best quality. Make manufacturing process improvement recommendations.

Monitor customer satisfaction over time.

• Understand and improve internal manufacturing processes. Troubleshoot scrap issues, and initiate cost savings throughout development and / or manufacturing processes.
• Write and perform test protocols based on customer end usage.
• Host visiting customers and vendors and provide support as requested. Travel to customer sites as required to troubleshoot product problems in production.

Perform testing and analysis at customer sites to verify customer needs are met.

• Qualify and specify vendors to use on various materials. Source alternate and / or lower cost materials.
• Understand all responsibilities regarding the Occupational Health and Safety Act. All safety rules must be followed, and all work areas must be kept in a clean and orderly condition.
• Direct team members on large projects.
• Mentor and train less experienced chemists.

Qualifications

• Bachelors’ degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or several (4-5) years related experience. Masters’ degree a plus.
• Eight years’ experience in thin film coatings chemistry formulation, managing complex / multiple projects, concept to commercialization product development, customer and vendor relationship building, test methodologies, successful cost and scrap savings process initiatives.

Experience with polymer chemistry is a plus.

• Frequently works with color adjustments; color matching experience or ability is a plus.
• Chemistry experience should include several years with ink and coating formulation, specialty knowledge of coatings and films industry, all lab instrumentation, compounding and milling processes, UV and thermal curing, and drying experience.
• Expertise with MS Office, Excel, Outlook.
• Verbal and written communication skills; team player.

Additional Information

Working Conditions and Requirements :

• Work is normally performed in a combination of laboratory, office and plant environments.
• Limited physical effort required. Occasionally moves buckets and lifts 20 lbs.
• Frequently operates lab and pilot equipment.
• Frequent exposure to chemicals, UV radiation cure, solvents.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

ITW is an equal opportunity employer. We value our colleagues’ unique perspectives, experiences and ideas and create workplaces where everyone can develop their careers and perform to their full potential.

As an equal employment opportunity employer, ITW is committed to equal employment opportunity and fair treatment for employees, beginning with the hiring process and continuing through all aspects of the employment relationship.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.