Material Technician II

Job Summary:

The Materials Lab Technician II, under the direction of the R&D Lab Manager, will provide technical support of materials. The Materials Lab Technician II will be responsible for supporting production with materials and color issues, evaluating new materials and colors, improving current products through process/formulation/materials changes, evaluating competitive products to establish a benchmark, and to track incoming raw materials through testing and evaluation. The Materials Lab Technician II will own their own R&D projects from time to time to help support the R&D team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Plans, schedules and conducts material trials and activities in lab and supports plant trials

• Assists in development and optimization of processing conditions for new and modified formulations

• Act as a liaison to other departments and assist in identifying root cause of production issues and recommend a countermeasure

• Sets timelines on personal projects, execute testing, analyze results, and recommends next steps

• Prepare technical reports related to research, development and testing of materials and products

• Contributes towards continuous improvement in Research and Development area

• Ensure lab equipment is operating properly and calibration is maintained

• Conducts product testing in accordance with ASTM standards and internal procedures

• Follows industry standards and safety regulations as it relates to testing, sample preparation and disposal

• Assist in updating and documenting lab standard operating procedures

• Implements new tests, methods, instrumentation, equipment, and procedures; including all documentation associated with safe operation

• Coordinates with internal and external testing labs to conduct required testing associated with R&D projects

• Performs additional duties as needed and/or assigned by supervision/management

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position, under the direction of the R&D Laboratory Manager, will not have direct reports within the R&D department. In addition, this position may directly/indirectly lead personnel and multi-functional teams, on a project by project basis.

Required Qualifications, Education and Experience:

• Associate Degree in Polymer Science, Materials, Plastics, Chemical Engineering or Engineering Technology, or related field

• Three plus years in a similar position, preferably in manufacturing environment, with basic knowledge of general lab testing or equivalent combination of education and experience

• Experience utilizing data to come to conclusions and recommend corrective action

• Understand manufacturing process of plastic extrusion, polymer composite test methods, and use of analytical equipment for polymer composition analysis

• Excellent problem-solving abilities and mathematical aptitude

• Good written and oral communication with experience preparing and presenting technical reports

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate to a wide range of audiences with varying backgrounds

• Proficient with the interpretation of ASTM Standards and lab procedures, including the implementation of new procedures

• Self-directed, motivated, and able to multi-task in fast-paced, 24/7 manufacturing environment

• Strong computer skills to include Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and Outlook

• Work schedule flexibility, with advance notice, to accommodate needs of the business

Preferred Qualifications, Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in Polymer Science, Materials, Plastics, Chemical Engineering, Engineering Technology or equivalent STEM degree

• Ability to conduct extrusion trials (lab and production scale)

• Strong mechanical aptitude as it associates with standard laboratory equipment

• Familiar with data driven statistical analysis

• Experience with formulation development and/or evaluation of Olefins, wood plastic composites, and/or PVC compounds

• Experience implementing new test equipment and publishing necessary standard operating procedures with safety instructions

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee must have the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment and is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear. The employee must individually lift and/or move up to 50 lbs., occasionally, and 125 lbs. with assistance, infrequently. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. In addition, mobility to cover expansive manufacturing facility is required. Local travel may be required but is infrequent.