Vantage Specialty Chemicals
Research and Development Formulation Chemist
Vantage Specialty Chemicals, Gurnee, IL
Vantage is a leading supplier of naturally derived specialty ingredients and formulations that cater to the evolving needs of industrial and consumer markets. Through our chemistries, our customer focus and our global footprint, we are ENABLING TOMORROW'S SOLUTIONS TODAY.
As a company on the move, you'll be working as part of a collaborative team and getting to know the cultural diversity of our world. We learn from each other to constantly improve, adapt and iterate. We value the voice and talent of our colleagues by empowering them to drive their unique ideas to completion. We're convinced that exceptionally motivated employees produce outstanding results. Most importantly, we know you're going to like it here. For more information visit: vantagegrp.com or LinkedIn/vantage
At Vantage Surface Treatments you can be a difference maker. Our leading brands and technologies, along with our high-performing businesses will provide you with countless opportunities to develop your skills and explore new paths. Your career at Vantage Surface Treatments will contribute to a more sustainable future, while you grow within our vibrant, diverse culture of trust and belonging. If you're up for challenging the status quo, join our team of pioneers and make your mark on the future with us.
Nature and Purpose
Vantage Surface Treatment is seeking a R&D Formulation Chemist to support ongoing growth in line with the Surface Treatment business strategy. The R&D Formulation Chemist will be responsible for developing occupationally and environmentally-responsible products in core market segments related to surface treatments and surface finishing including but not limited to aqueous and solvent cleaning solutions, paint removers, coatings, corrosion inhibitors, descalers, adhesion promoters and other surface treatments and pretreatments.
The ideal candidate will have deep knowledge of surface treatment and finishing technologies in global Aerospace, Defense and Electronics markets. In addition, this role will have experience addressing environmental and regulatory trends involving Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) reduction, Hexavalent Chrome replacements and other solvent substitution and pollution prevention initiatives.
This role will require cross-functional collaboration between business units, plant sites, suppliers, and external partners to help solve market and customers' challenges, as well as to drive optimization effectiveness of process/procedures and best practices associated with application/formulation development. The role will have experience interacting with a global team, customers, and strong know-how of surface treatment formulation. The role is responsible for ensuring close alignment with the NPD/technical service team, as well as collaboration with the commercial team.
This role will work closely with their functional counterparts in the organization - including Marketing, Product Management, Procurement, Manufacturing Technology, Manufacturing Operations, Legal, Regulatory, Sourcing, etc. As a formulation chemist, this role will require flexibility to some travel (including international) to meet with customers at their sites and tradeshows.
Laboratory safety is a must and it is expected that the Formulation Chemist is familiar with standards and best practices and will be a positive safety contributor at Vantage.
Accountabilities with Key Outcomes
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Essential
Desirable
As a company on the move, you'll be working as part of a collaborative team and getting to know the cultural diversity of our world. We learn from each other to constantly improve, adapt and iterate. We value the voice and talent of our colleagues by empowering them to drive their unique ideas to completion. We're convinced that exceptionally motivated employees produce outstanding results. Most importantly, we know you're going to like it here. For more information visit: vantagegrp.com or LinkedIn/vantage
At Vantage Surface Treatments you can be a difference maker. Our leading brands and technologies, along with our high-performing businesses will provide you with countless opportunities to develop your skills and explore new paths. Your career at Vantage Surface Treatments will contribute to a more sustainable future, while you grow within our vibrant, diverse culture of trust and belonging. If you're up for challenging the status quo, join our team of pioneers and make your mark on the future with us.
Nature and Purpose
Vantage Surface Treatment is seeking a R&D Formulation Chemist to support ongoing growth in line with the Surface Treatment business strategy. The R&D Formulation Chemist will be responsible for developing occupationally and environmentally-responsible products in core market segments related to surface treatments and surface finishing including but not limited to aqueous and solvent cleaning solutions, paint removers, coatings, corrosion inhibitors, descalers, adhesion promoters and other surface treatments and pretreatments.
The ideal candidate will have deep knowledge of surface treatment and finishing technologies in global Aerospace, Defense and Electronics markets. In addition, this role will have experience addressing environmental and regulatory trends involving Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) reduction, Hexavalent Chrome replacements and other solvent substitution and pollution prevention initiatives.
This role will require cross-functional collaboration between business units, plant sites, suppliers, and external partners to help solve market and customers' challenges, as well as to drive optimization effectiveness of process/procedures and best practices associated with application/formulation development. The role will have experience interacting with a global team, customers, and strong know-how of surface treatment formulation. The role is responsible for ensuring close alignment with the NPD/technical service team, as well as collaboration with the commercial team.
This role will work closely with their functional counterparts in the organization - including Marketing, Product Management, Procurement, Manufacturing Technology, Manufacturing Operations, Legal, Regulatory, Sourcing, etc. As a formulation chemist, this role will require flexibility to some travel (including international) to meet with customers at their sites and tradeshows.
Laboratory safety is a must and it is expected that the Formulation Chemist is familiar with standards and best practices and will be a positive safety contributor at Vantage.
Accountabilities with Key Outcomes
- New Product Formulation and Application Development activities for the Surface Treatment business at Vantage in core markets e.g. Aerospace, Defense, Electronics, Automotive, Medical, etc.
- Formulation technical support involving existing product portfolio of surface treatment technologies.
- Develop ideas for new product development and the modification of current products through customer interaction, employee collaboration, market discovery, literature searches and engagement with suppliers of advanced materials.
- Experimental design, data evaluation, generation of scientific, and coordination studies with other technical groups internally and externally.
- Plays an important role in the scale-up and technology transfer process in collaboration with Manufacturing team.
- Assist, consult and trouble-shoot technology validation, beta site activities, customer start-ups, and customer post-sales operations.
- Responsible, in collaboration with management, to develop and execute project plans based on initiatives, project deliverables, and timelines, working with cross-functional teams
- Defining, leading by example and establishing technical excellence that leverages the use of scientific principles, analytical methodologies, new technologies, and deep customer and market insights.
- Effectively communicates and defends own work, orally and in writing, at team meetings, in technical documents, and to external partners.
- Driving a focus on competitive intelligence, intellectual property development and protection, open innovation, sustainability, and acquisition technology opportunities
- Contribute to technical service addressing customers/market current and future needs, requirements opportunities, competitive intelligence, and technology trends.
- Gives technical presentations to customers and market associations/events in order to promote technologies and products
- Actively participates and engages in core market activities including but not limited to market-focused committees, trade associations, technical conferences, and trade events.
- Some travel may be required to visit customers and tradeshows within the United States and Internationally.
- Promoting a safe work environment through behavior, equipment and communication.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Essential
- BS degree or equivalent in, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or related field is required.
- 5 years or more of related formulation and technical service experience needed.
- Knowledge of the formulation, structure, and properties of ingredients.
- Strong Attention to detail.
- Good recordkeeping skills.
- Proficient in commonly used business and scientific applications, including common research databases, search functions and statistical design of experiments.
- Excellent verbal/written communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to interface with internal and external customers at all levels.
- Experience directly managing employees with an ability to motivate, train and develop the team.
Desirable
- 10 years or more of industry experience in formulation development.
- Experience working on teams located in different regions of the world.
- Ability to identify opportunities for improvement and driving such changes.
- Business acumen.
- Proven track record of presenting at conferences.
- Experience protecting and maintaining IP, including filing patent applications.