Senior Chemist

Senior Chemist, Research & Development.

About Polynt Composites USA

Polynt Composites USA is a global leader in the manufacturing of composites, coatings, and chemical intermediates, serving key industries such as industrial, transportation, construction, marine, medical, and consumer goods.

At Polynt, the Senior Chemist plays a critical role in advancing corporate objectives through the development, commercialization, and industrialization of new products, while also supporting and enhancing existing technologies.

Senior Chemists apply high-quality laboratory practices alongside a broad range of technical skills to solve complex challenges. These may include new product and process development, product and process optimization, support for existing products, raw material evaluations, plant operations assistance, customer formulation support, and general technical service. They are expected to work independently with minimal supervision, while actively collaborating with other R&D team members, cross-functional Polynt departments, and customers. 

Laboratory responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Preparing chemical formulations and prototypes via synthesis or blending
• Creating test articles using customer-relevant processes
• Conducting chemical analyses, quality control testing, mechanical property evaluations, and application testing

While Senior Chemists may specialize in a particular technology area, they are expected to work across multiple chemistries, processes, applications, and markets based on evolving business needs.

Key Responsibilities

Health, Safety and Quality: 

• • Performs work in accordance with local, state and federal regulations including OSHA, DOT and EPA and the appropriate Polynt Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) ensuring personal and team safety
  • Recognizes personal and legal responsibility regarding compliance with rules and regulations, standards and Polynt’s  ISO 9001 Quality Management System
  • Maintains housekeeping in individual and shared workspaces
  • Conducts inspections as assigned.
  • Ensures that others meet health and safety standards.  Provides guidance when needed
  • Leads safety topic(s) in weekly safety meeting
  • Participates in the following as needed:  Health and Safety Committee, Review of chemical hygiene plan, Job safety analysis (JSA), Risk assessments, Incident investigations, Management of change (MOC)

Lab/Project Work 

• • Conducts lab/project work related to one or more of the following:  Product/process development (synthesis and/or blending), Polynt plant support, chemical analyses and mechanical testing, customer formulation assistance or purchasing support
  • Maintains lab equipment through preventative maintenance, verification, and calibration.  Reports any equipment malfunctions
  • Ensures that lab equipment inventory is maintained
  • Executes experiments and tests following established test methods to ensure repeatable, reliable results

Works independently to:

• • Understand requirements of each project including benefits and risks.  Interacts with other functions as necessary to resolve questions
  • Plan experiments identifying and evaluating multiple input variables
  • Develop test methods as needed
  • Create schedule based on project priorities and meet deadlines
  • Demonstrate critical thinking and ability to analyze results.  Demonstrates ability to understand multiple variable relationships and their effects on results
  • Write technical reports and/or create presentations summarizing results
  • Recommend next actions to multi-functional project team
  • Enter/maintain projects on Polynt's project request system
  • Seeks feedback and input from customers and/or appropriate Polynt functions/management required to drive projects to completion

Product/Process Development

• • Develops improved product/processes that are commercially successful.  Supports scale-up/transfer of product to manufacturing.   Supports customer trials as applicable.
  • Develops multiple technically successful improved products/processes covering multiple chemistries, processes, application areas or markets
  • Conducts basic literature searches for internal and external sources to assist with project planning and generate product/process development ideas
  • Initiates exploratory projects to investigate potential innovative products or processes
  • Participates as a team member on New Business Development/Stage-Gate projects or acts as the R&D representative on multifunctional projects

Polynt Plant Support (as applicable) 

 Provides technical support to Polynt’s manufacturing sites for commercial products covering multiple chemistries, processes, application areas or markets

• • Provides technical support to Polynt’s manufacturing sites for commercial products covering multiple chemistries, processes, application areas or markets
  • Approves plants to make new/transferred products, in-country, in region or between regions
  • Determines work-off plans for off-specification material
  • Adjusts process parameters to facilitate process improvements related to quality, cycle time, etc.
  • Has in-depth knowledge of Polynt manufacturing processes, site capabilities, and site personnel
  • Provides in-person support at a plant for scale-up or process improvement work
  • Participates in plant quality meetings
  • Has knowledge of manufacturing processes, site capabilities, and site personnel  

Customer Formulation Assistance (as applicable):

• • Assists Polynt customers with creating formulations using Polynt products. 
  • Understands components used in external customer product formulations including their function, typical levels
  • Formulates products resembling what is produced by Polynt's customer for testing/comparison of Polynt and/or benchmarking of competitive products
  • Assists customers with product formulation

Purchasing Support:

• • Qualifies raw materials by
  • Reviewing raw material usage
  • Creating a test plan based on key properties/ functions
  • Conducting lab/project work as described above
  • Informing Procurement of project results
  • Completing SAP tasks as needed

Specialization:

Has knowledge of business unit technology in one or more chemistries, applications or processes.  Has established contacts with other Polynt functional groups, suppliers and customer base. Independently interacts with these contacts keeping supervisor informed.  Demonstrates understanding of applicable standards, certifications, etc. Able to use knowledge to assist internal and external customers.

Organizational Knowledge:

• • Orders raw materials and finished goods with supervisor approval
  • Orders lab supplies with supervisor approval
  • Able to find/view test methods, work instructions, forms and other documents in SharePoint
  • Able to request physical or analytical testing
  • Has a working knowledge of Microsoft applications including Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams and Word
  • Able to find basic information in SAP including BOM's, inspections plans, inventories, orders, etc.
  • Able to find technical documents in the Polynt App and Host 2 Bulletin System
  • Works with Technical Assistance/Technical writer to create technical datasheets for new products
  • Independently completes R&D portion of Frontline scale-up process for formula revision or new product creation
  • Able to use Bom CALC, Product Vision or other formulation tool
  • Aware of statistical analysis software availability and capabilities.  Demonstrated ability to apply to development, plant support and/or technical assistance work

Trainer/Mentor:

Provides training on synthesis, formulation, or application processes for one or more technology areas or market applications.  Training to include how-to as well as knowledge of underlying science.  Training may be for junior team members, R&D members from other groups, operations or commercial personnel or customer personnel

Education and Experience

• B.A. or B.S.  in chemistry, chemical engineering or related science/engineering field and a minimum of 5 years of work experience
• M.S in chemistry or related science/engineering field and a minimum of 2 years of work experience
• PhD in chemistry or related science/engineering field

Work Environment Considerations

This job is not appropriate for individuals with chemical sensitivity. Employees who display sensitivity to the chemicals present at the site despite using standard required safety measures may be subject to reassignment or termination of employment.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

Polynt fosters a culture of innovation, teamwork, and professional growth. Employees have opportunities for career progression and development. If you are a hands-on problem solver who thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, we want to hear from you.

Why Join Us?

At Polynt, we believe our employees are our greatest asset. We offer a stable, growth-driven work environment with competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Paid Time Off (PTO) and Sick Leave
• 401(k) with Company Match and Profit Sharing
• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance (PPO, HSA, FSA)
• Company-Paid Life Insurance and Short-Term Disability
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Paid Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Performance-Based Bonus Opportunities

Equal Opportunity Employer

Polynt Composites USA is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). We celebrate diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under federal, state, or local laws.