Senior Scientist

The position will reside at ourTechnical CenterinAvon Lake, Ohio, and support our PVC business.

Essential Job Duties:

This position is responsible for contributing to R&D activities in support of OxyVinyls’ Business objectives.

• Maintain, as our highest priority, the protection of the environment, the health and safety of our employees, customers, and the communities in which we operate and/or transport our products.

• Understand and work in accordance with all safety and environmental procedures, including the site Chemical Hygiene Plan.  Adhere to the use of personal protective equipment as required.

• Perform advanced research projects to develop new products, improve existing products, reduce manufacturing costs, improve safety, improve quality, and reduce environmental impact.

• Conduct laboratory experiments and perform chemical, physical, and mechanical property measurements on PVC raw materials, resins, polymers, copolymers, and compounds.

• Create experimental recipes for the pilot plant and determine the quality of experiments by evaluating laboratory test results common to the PVC industry.

• Work on Manufacturing Authorizations, evaluating raw materials, process changes, and product changes.

• Provide technical support to manufacturing facilities and customers.

• Understand raw material selection choices and work with vendors to understand new products and technologies.

• Record experimental data in a laboratory notebook and LIMS.

• Report results in the form of formalized technical reports, PowerPoint presentations, spreadsheets, charts, and graphs.

• Determine laboratory equipment and instrumentation needed for lab work.

• Use statistics to evaluate data and identify trends, providing a highly technical basis for conclusions, and reporting information to other team members.

• Become proficient in OxyVinyls technologies with the intent of becoming an expert.

• Work as an individual contributor and lead small teams to attain project goals.  Must be capable of supervising technical staff and sharing knowledge.

• Ensure intellectual property is maintained and communicated within the organization.  Keep current of new technologies and evaluate promising opportunities.

• Ability to travel to manufacturing plants to support product and process improvements, and troubleshooting.

• Establish open communication with all of the OxyVinyls operating plants to ensure Technology adds value to the organization. 

• Ensure compliance with regulatory, Safety Data Sheets, product labels, and Responsible Care to promote the safe handling and use of chemicals.

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or other relevant technical discipline is required with at least 10 years of chemical industry experience.

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in the development or support of PVC manufacturing or processing technology or a closely related field.

• Must have knowledge of fundamental chemical principles, laboratory practices, and laboratory safety.

• High degree of problem solving and organizational skills.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Self-motivated with the ability to work efficiently with minimal supervision.

• Must be able to lead teams.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office software and statistical analysis.

• Physical requirements – Must be able to lift 40 pounds, climb ladders and stairs. Walking, bending, stooping is required. Must be able to wear personal protective equipment as required. Must be able to respond to visual and audible alarms.

Additional Desired Qualifications:

• An advanced degree in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering.

• PVC resin development expertise with over 25 years of experience in PVC.

• Expertise in suspension PVC resin manufacturing and at least one other discipline.  

• Formalized statistics training.

• Supervisory or management experience and the ability to lead less experienced team members.

• Comfort presenting information to multiple disciplines at all levels of the organization.