Development Chemist

Organizational Description

Azelis is one of America's leading specialty chemical distributors serving multiple markets including CASE (Coatings, adhesives, sealants, & elastomers), Construction, Personal Care, Homecare & Industrial Cleaning, Lubricants & Metal Working Fluids, Food & Nutrition, Agriculture, Advanced Materials & Additives, Pharmaceutical & Healthcare, and others. Our go-to market strategy leverages our amazing product portfolio of high-quality products to deliver customer solutions and make Azelis Americas 'best in class'. This is an exciting opportunity to join a leading specialty chemical distributor, and to grow your responsibilities with us.

Azelis Americas CASE, a business unit of Azelis Americas is the number one specialty distributor in North America in the CASE markets.

This position reports to the CASE Lab Manager and works closely with our commercial teams across the US and Canada along with the manufacturers we represent. The successful candidate will receive in depth training in our product lines and will develop improved formulations to support our customers and principals. Candidates should be comfortable handling multiple technical projects, working with the commercial team, and traveling.

At Azelis, you will have multiple opportunities for career growth. These opportunities will include assuming more advanced technical roles and moving into technical sales roles.

Take a look at our Azelis Americas Brochure or visit www.azelis.com/americas to learn more about who we are and what we do.

Overview

Azelis is seeking a Chemist for our CASE Laboratory located in Oak Creek, WI. The Chemist is responsible for the development and management of formulation projects to assist Azelis in bringing customers innovative solutions and speed to market support for the CASE and plastics industry. This is a hands-on laboratory bench position requiring clear technical thinking, consistent focus on safety, good communication skills, and enthusiastic collaboration. Through close connection and regular interation with the commercial team, it is the responsibility of the chemist to gain a deep understanding of the target market including, but not limited to, market intelligence, trends, needs and opportunities as they relate to Azelis' current and new product and service offerings. At Azelis, you will have multiple opportunities for career growth.

This is an onsite position except when traveling for necessary business purposes such as tradeshows or trainings.

Mission

To assist the Commercial Team in the development of formulations and supporting data for promotion of Azelis products and inclusion in customer formulation projects.

Main Accountabilities

• Develop formulations for use by Sales Team and for customer projects.

• Plan and conduct evaluation of the performance of formulations,

• Support the development of test methods for formulation performance testing.

• Compile data from evaluations and interpret results to form sounds conclusions and recommendations.

• Prepare samples for customer evaluation of developed formulations.

• Maintain a laboratory records.

• Report project work and findings internally and externally according to the requirements of each project opportunity.

• Input new in-house and supplier formulations into company formulations system.

• Implement laboratory procedures.

• Maintain good Health and Safety Procedures in the laboratory at all times.

• Actively work within the safety requirements of the Azelis labs and participate in safety improvement activities.

• Ensure accurate records are kept in line with regulatory requirements.

• Maintain inventory and stock records, where required.

• Maintain laboratory equipment and standard operating procedures (SOPs). Setup new equipment if acquired. Familiarity with common equipment trouble shooting skills are an asset.

• Field technical inquiries from customers and make recommendations.

• Provide support and participate in staff meetings and training events, customer meetings, or tradeshows as required. This will include occasional travel.

• Assist with lab tours, presentations, and demonstrations related to internal, customer, or principal meetings.

• Deliver site safety presentation to visitors.

• Other duties assigned according to business, lab, and site needs.

Experience, Skills & Education Requirements

• University bachelor's degree in a related technical field or relevant laboratory experience. Higher level education is an asset.

• Prior experience with typical CASE formulations is required. Strong background in coatings formulation.

3+ years of formulating experience desired.

• Interest in and ability to continuously learn and implement new skills.

• Analytical approach and attention to detail.

• Good listening skills and ability to write and speak clearly.

• Problem solving skills.

• Customer service skills.

• Ability to change and quickly learn new systems and product technologies.

• Ability to work under pressure (with safe procedures always the first responsibility).

• Time management and prioritization skills to work with multiple projects.

• IT skills.

• Flexible and open approach to new challenges.

• Team player. Ability and willingness to work as part of a small team. Willing to help others, even when work is outside of your direct responsibility.

Reporting line and organisational level

• Laboratory Manager

Internal and external stakeholders of the role

• Internal: Laboratory Manager, Technical Development Manager, Sales Managers, Business Manager

• External: Customers, Principals

Competencies:

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

Analytical

• Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs workflows and procedures.

Design

• Generates creative solutions; Translates concepts and information into applied improvements; Uses feedback to modify designs; Demonstrates attention to detail.

Problem Solving

• Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.

Technical Skills

• Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others.

Oral Communication

• Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Demonstrates group presentation skills and a good command presence; Participates in meetings.

Written Communication

• Writes clearly and informatively; Presents numerical data effectively.

Teamwork

• Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.

Ethics

• Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically.

Strategic Thinking

• Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals; Understands organization's strengths & weaknesses.

Mathematical Skills: Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference.

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 Microsoft Office.

Physical Demands: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Ability to lift and move objects of 50+ lbs. such as pails, drums and bags of chemicals.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.