We're seeking a Chemical Engineer to assist in the launch and development of a new surface-coating operation for plastics manufacturer. This is an opportunity for an experienced coatings professional to play a key role in developing coating formulations, selecting and implementing coating processes and equipment, establishing production procedures, and bringing the department from development through commercial production.

The ideal candidate will have experience with coatings, polymers, adhesives, inks, or related chemical processes, preferably involving plastic films. The position requires experience manipulating and controlling fluid properties such as viscosity, density, and evaporation, along with a strong understanding of how these properties affect coating processes and product performance.

Strong problem-solving and analytical skills are essential, including the ability to organize and analyze process data, utilize statistical analysis, and effectively troubleshoot complex chemical processes through hypothesis testing and data-driven experimentation. This position will have significant responsibility and autonomy, with the opportunity to build the technical foundation, processes, and capabilities for a new coating department from the ground up.  

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering or related field of study. Masters beneficial. Do not want PhD candidates
• Minimum 5 years experience in a floor level manufacturing environment. 
• Strong project management experience in a technical environment. 
• Strong analytical skills necessary to resolve problems and look for solutions; solid conflict resolution skills. 
• Solid team leadership, team building and facilitation skills. 
 

Position Responsibilities

• Champion a strong safety culture throughout the operation, ensuring employees consistently follow established safety procedures, work practices, and 5S principles.
• Maintain compliance with applicable chemical, environmental, and safety requirements, including required inspections, documentation, and compliance schedules.
• Provide day-to-day technical and operational leadership for the Business Unit
• Establish, maintain, and improve training programs covering standard operating procedures, equipment operation, and corrective, preventive, and predictive maintenance practices.
• Lead capital and operational projects ranging from moderate to highly complex assignments. Responsibilities include defining project scope, supporting vendor selection and award, developing installation plans, coordinating execution, monitoring progress, and ensuring projects are completed safely, on schedule, and within budget.
• Manage multiple projects concurrently while maintaining appropriate project documentation, procedures, schedules, and status reporting.
• Partner with operations and technical teams to establish and maintain quality standards. Lead investigations into process or product issues and oversee appropriate non-conformance and corrective-action activities.
• Keep project stakeholders informed regarding schedules, scope changes, resource requirements, material availability, and other factors that could affect project execution.
• Maintain accurate project records and provide timely internal and external reporting as necessary.
• Regularly communicate project status, proposed changes, and other significant activities to internal customers while identifying opportunities to improve service and satisfaction.
• Coordinate purchasing of equipment, materials, outside services, and other resources required to complete projects efficiently and within established budgets.
• Support the development and implementation of Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) initiatives. Experience with precision-maintenance techniques such as vibration analysis, infrared inspection, ultrasound, motor-circuit testing, and oil analysis is beneficial.
• Develop and support technical training programs for production employees.
• Work occasional off-shifts as necessary to observe operations, evaluate processes, troubleshoot issues, and provide employee training.
• Provide direction and assign work to technical personnel as appropriate.
• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned by management.