Senior Technical Assistance Representative

Location: Carpentersville, IL, North Kansas City, MO, or Remote

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, Technical Assistance works closely with other Polynt functions including commercial, operations and R&D to assist existing and new customers in using Polynt Products. This role participates in product recommendations, product testing/benchmarking, training, product trials, process review, and troubleshooting.  Technical Assistance provides customers with formal or informal training and is an interface for investigation and communication concerning product complaints. This role directly contributes to Polynt’s commercial success through achieving product approvals, customer satisfaction, and customer loyalty. Technical Assistance also provides direction for product development efforts.

The Senior Technical Assistance Representative is expected to work independently with minimal supervision, while actively collaborating with other R&D team members, cross-functional Polynt departments, and customers. While Senior Technical Assistance Representatives 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 and Safety
  • 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 investigation
    • Management of change (MOC)
  • Ensures that all activities under his/her direction are performed in accordance with regulatory compliance with local, state and federal regulations as identified, including those listed in the OSHA, DOT & EPA regulations
  • Recognizes personal and legal responsibility regarding compliance with rules and regulations, standards and our business management system ISO9001
• Product Line Knowledge/Product Recommendations
  • Conduct process reviews and gather information from customer including processing parameters, end use requirements including required certifications and usage information (volumes, batch sizes, etc.) 
  • Reviews existing products for potential technical fit and considering costs, manufacturing site/logistics, minimum order quantity
  • Communicates recommendation to customer
  • If no existing product meets the requirements, enters development project as appropriate based on commercial opportunity
  • Initiates exploratory projects to investigate potential innovative products or processes
• Training - Provides training to customers (either at the customer's location or at Polynt), or Polynt personnel (junior team members, R&D members from other groups, commercial personnel, etc.). Training should cover multiple chemistries, processes, application areas, or markets. Able to do demonstrations as appropriate. Training should include co-suppliers, vendor partners, etc.
• Product Trials
  • Follow trial product through the customer process and document product performance
  • Report product performance to appropriate commercial and R&D personnel
  • Follow up with customer on post-production part testing and provide feedback to appropriate commercial and R&D personnel
• Process Review/ Troubleshooting
  • Identify best practices and poor practices
  • Communicate strengths and opportunities for improvement to customer
  • Diagnose routine issues with Polynt products
  • Execute field adjustments to Polynt products or recommend changes to customer formulations.
  • Able to develop and execute field adjustments or recommend changes to customer formulations
  • Able to diagnose non-routine issues with Polynt products or customer process
• Reporting
  • Write call reports covering customer visits
  • Write customer letters covering findings of customer visits
• Specialization - Knowledgeable of a 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
  • Able to find/view test methods, work instructions, forms and other documents in SharePoint
  • Able to find technical documents in the Polynt App and Host2 Bulletin System
  • Able to enter a project on the Host2 Project System/RADAR
  • Able to request physical or analytical testing
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft applications including Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams and Word.
  • Able to book travel and report expenses
  • Order raw materials and finished goods with supervisor approval as applicable
  • Order lab supplies with supervisor approval as applicable
  • Able to find basic information in SAP including, BOM's, inspections plans, inventories, orders, etc.
  • Able to search Host2 Project System Archives
  • Able to assist Technical Writer in creating technical datasheets or other technical literature
  • Aware of statistical analysis software availability and capabilities. Demonstrated ability to apply to technical assistance work

Required Education and Experience

• Knowledge of resins - chemistries, liquid properties and mechanical properties)
• Knowledge of Industry standards, specification and test requirements
• Field experience with liner wetout (offsite and over-the-hole) and cure (heat and UV.) 
• High School diploma and a minimum 8 years related industrial 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 or higher in chemistry or related science/engineering field and a minimum of 2 years of work experience

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

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.