Senior Chemist - Automotive OEM

Where the Chemistry Happens:

The Automotive OEM Senior Chemist position requires a combination of strong laboratory, field application, communication, and interpersonal skills. This a great opportunity for a motivated and dynamic individual in a new technology area working with an international team. There is high potential for growth that will be challenging and highly rewarding. Would prefer knowledge of paint and pretreatment application or similar product background. Experience with customizing a process based on customer specifications and the ability to start that process at a customer plant. This requires the ability to coordinate activities with customers, sales, and laboratory to achieve the desired outcome. Travel is required.

The ideal candidate will develop new products and product modifications for metal pretreatment as well as test procedures for the evaluation of these products. This position will function as the interface between BASF/Chemetall's North American automotive OEM group and the regional and global application and technical customer support groups to introduce new products and solve customers' technical problems, recommending appropriate products for customers' operations and provide technical consultation/advice to the field sales force and field application engineers. The position will be responsible for directing and coordinating the execution of OEM-related application work in the NA region, accessing resources from level 1, 2 and 3 support functions in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Formula for Success:

• Application Development

o Completion of all work with a commitment & focus on following all aspects of the guiding principles of BASF Responsible Care.

o Plan and conduct development activities as a project leader or under the guidance of group leader to achieve project goals.

o Ability to initiate projects - proactive attitude - and implement solutions independently.

o Assist in technology transfer from other divisions or regions.

o Supports sales and customers by providing accurate and timely results and lab reports.

o Develop new testing procedures.

o Modify standard products for improved performance

o Participate in field testing of new products

o Coordinate & lead trials at Automotive OEM's

o Plan and execute DoE in application lab and collaborate with analytical and physical testing lab for execution.

o Devise manufacturing procedures and process

• Technical Support

o Select and recommend appropriate products for customers' applications

o Develop optimum operating parameters for Chemetall/BASF products

o Provide technical advice to the sales force, field engineers and the customers

o Provide troubleshooting assistance in the field (in customers' plants)

o Write or provide technical information for Profiles, Process Instructions, and other technical literature.

o Conduct technical training sessions for BASF/Chemetall and for other business units.

o Provide technical support for manufacturing as needed

• Professional Development

o Continuously upgrade technical skills by working in the laboratories and consulting with other technical personnel, staying abreast of technical developments in the field, reading technical journals and learning new methods of analysis.

o Work with Chemetall/BASF's Equipment Engineering group as required to better understand dispensing and control equipment.

o Attend industry seminars and in-house seminars to keep current with new technologies.

o Polish written and verbal communication skills.

o Improve computer skills.

o Search and evaluate new patents.

o Interact with vendor representatives for new information on raw materials.

o Develop CORE values and skills to lead a lab team.

• Laboratory Support

o Responsible for OEM application lab in NP.

o Ensure work area is maintained in a safe manner.

o Maintain laboratory equipment in peak operating condition in accordance with Chemetall/BASF Quality system.

o All activities and functions to follow Chemetall/BASF Quality Systems and Procedures

Ingredients for Success:

• A minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering

• 5+ years related experience

• Pretreatment experience

• Paint formulation and application experience

• Experience launching new products at customers

• Field experience

• Strong interpersonal skills to work with customers and sales

• Excellent communication and organizational skills to communicate with customers, technical, and sales

• Project Management skills

• Able to work on multiple tasks and project management

• Ability to travel - could be up to 50% at times

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, citizenship, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, disability status, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.