Development Chemist (QUAL)

Purpose: Researching, evaluating and implementing new chemicals as well as improvements in current chemicals, compounds and products.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Owns chemical formulas and conducts scale-up, validation and improvement activities on them for new chemical production equipment.

Conducts R&D trials in lab setting that must be evaluated through complete testing including road wheel as well as highway testing in tires.

Develops new test methods.

Evaluate new raw materials for use in existing as well as new chemicals or rubber compounds.

Mix existing chemical/rubber formulas as well as trial compounds through the production facility.

Analyze and suggest changes in chemical production, extrusion and calendering of products to improve quality as well as productivity.

Stay abreast on new developments in technology through vendor contact, consultants, technical publications, etc.

Direct peer Lab Technicians regarding weighing and mixing of chemicals/rubber compounds being evaluated for R&D projects.

Knowledgeable of chemical and rubber testing equipment.

Ability to apply math concepts to develop chemical formulas and rubber compounds.

Ability to interface with Associates and vendors.

Other duties as assigned.

Competencies:

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Problem Solving - Gathers and analyzes information skillfully.

Technical Skills - Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills, Shares expertise with others.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education / Experience:

Bachelor's degree (B.S.) from a four-year college or university and 1-2 years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Language Skills:

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

Mathematical Skills:

Ability to apply advanced mathematical concepts such as exponents, logarithms, quadratic equations, and permutations. Ability to apply mathematical operations to such tasks as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory, and factor analysis. Ability to apply math concepts to develop formulas and rubber compounds.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Computer Skills:

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Excel Spreadsheet software and MS Word Processing software.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

None required

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts and fumes or airborne particles. The employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions.

Noise level: loud

Additional Information:

Generally responsible for the safety and cleanliness of own work area. Carts available to help transport material. Steel toed shoes and safety glasses are required.

[This description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with the position. It is, instead, a description of the essential elements of the position that are needed for recruitment, placement, orientation, training, competency and performance management, classification, compensation determination and other Human Resource actions.]

EEO /Disabled/Veterans