Senior R&D Chemist - Wood Coating

• Complete creatively assigned tasks related to the research and development of new products, new technologies, and updates of existing products using assigned materials and methods.
• Carry out, interpret & report experimental paint work projects.
• Complete projects within agreed timelines.
• Performs or oversees the work on technical workstreams such as new product introduction, raw material changes, product testing, and root cause analysis.
• Implement, troubleshoot, and continuously improve plant processes (reduce cycle and increase efficiency, reliability, and sustainability, increase batch yields, decrease manufacturing costs, etc.).
• Work collaboratively with Production, QC, HSE&S, and others to develop processes, and define safe and efficient operating procedures.
• Provide technical assistance and support to Production, Sales, and Marketing in support of product scale-up, quality control, application testing, and other cross-functional activities.
• Investigate and determine corrective actions for production problems and customer complaints, and investigate production problems related to formulation, quality control and manufacturing issues.
• Initiate the LWR (lab work request) process for product reformulation and proper manufacturing/QC instructions and maintain technical records in the form of a Laboratory Notebook or Computer Databases.
• Provide progress reports, monthly and quarterly reports, technical plans, and project summaries to ensure appropriate communication of project status and needs and ensure proper testing procedures are in place and followed.
• Ensure proper testing procedures are in place and followed and review opportunities for alternative tests and equipment. Review quality control documents and procedures. Perform quality audits and verify current practices against documentation. Update standard operation procedures when necessary.
• Maintain a safe and clean work environment in accordance with company safety rules to ensure compliance with federal, state and local environments and participate in Special Teams including safety, HSE, housekeeping, etc.