Technical Director - Resins Job at CPS Inc in Paducah

Technical Director – Resins

Located in Northern KY, this location boasts amazing outdoor adventures for boating, hiking, nature preserves, and even better a family-owned company with a long history. People here love their jobs and are actively involved with the community. If you’ve been looking for a place to call home, this is it!

Will directly manage R&D and Quality functions with a staff of about 12. Manage research and development project portfolio relating to specialty polymers, especially acrylic resins, made by our manufacturing processes. Requires a combination of theoretical and experimental understanding of synthesis, processing, analysis and characterization of polymers, as well as practical knowledge of materials (e.g., silica) and polymer composites, and application testing of products (e.g., polymer resins, powder coatings, liquid paints, cosmetics, adhesives, inks, etc.).

Job Duties / Responsibilities:

• Maintain a safe work environment that leads to no lost-time accidents.
• Specify raw materials and chemicals for products and work with Purchasing to manage properties for storage and use.
• Establish/Maintain/update product synthesis procedures, property specifications, test requirements.
• Contribute to content of Technical Data Sheets (TDSs) and Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) for products as needed.
• Conceive new/improved product/process R&D ideas and present to Sales & Operations.
• Employ product design process to scale new products from Lab to Pilot to Plant; propose ways to improve product scale-up efficiency.
• Coordinate with Sales and Operations to define, assign, schedule, and complete technical projects, lab work requests, customer complaints, product non-conformances, and manufacturing correctives.
• Support Sales on product properties/performance questions or regulatory compliance matters as needed.
• Address customer inquiries or participate in customer calls, meetings, or visits as needed.
• Initiate and manage supplier improvement projects.
• Calibrate instruments/perform equipment preventative maintenance as needed.
• Evaluate and introduce new/improved analytical tools & characterization methods where appropriate; employ external capabilities as needed.
• Identify technical talent inside and outside of the company.
• Support employee technical education by recommending relevant courses or training programs for individuals or teams.
• Implement or participate initiatives aligned with company’s Sustainability Policy and Principles.
• Participate in webinars; attend technical conferences and trade shows as needed.
• Communicate technical capabilities to rest of company.
• Review publication and patent literature to understand market/technology trends & drivers.
• Characterize/evaluate competitive products as samples become available.
• Manage hazardous waste disposal and satellite accumulation procedures for Lab.
• Maintain/update Lab safety/cleanliness protocols.

Accountabilities:

• Represent R&D Department (Synthesis and Analytical Sections) when interacting with other Groups, Departments and Sections; serve as backup for the Technical Director when assigned or when circumstances require.
• Ensure that Product Design Process is followed to provide samples to customers as part product launches and to commercialize manufactured products.
• Collaborate with Sales and Operations leadership to initiate and evaluate new/improved product and process technology platforms with the aim of regularly commercializing new/improved products.
• Review/contribute to Technology Project Definitions (TPDs); lead and/or coordinate execution of technical projects as needed.
• Prepare/approve/clarify lab work requests (LWRs), assign tasks to staff members and set priorities as needed.
• Allocate R&D resources and schedule work based on TPD and LWR priorities.
• Ensure that staff members use and maintain laboratory notebooks and regularly update LWR and cook logs.
• Communicate lab formulations and prioritize pilot runs with Production Manager.
• Ensure performance planning and review completed for:
  • Synthesis Chemists, Specialists & Technicians
  • Analytical Supervisor, Chemists, Specialists & Technicians
• Recommend contract lab services (companies, academic groups…)
• Propose raw material and/or manufacturing changes based on Lab recommendations.
• Manage and communicate synthesis and analytical section productivity metrics.
• Contribute to monthly technical project updates and quarterly stage-gate reviews.
• Approve R&D staff expense reports.
• Approve R&D staff vacation and other time-off requests.
• Approve changes to R&D staff work schedules.
• Approve and recommend changes to R&D Lab and Office areas.
• Approve material and equipment purchases $2,500 for Lab.
• Recommend changes to existing products, manufacturing processes, quality system, customer service that may directly impact revenue/profit.
• Contribute to Technology section of annual Sales and/or Business Plan (product/process improvements and new launches).
• Recommend new patenting/licensing strategy and defensive tactics.
• Recommend changes in R&D Department reporting structure to maximize productivity.
• Propose and manage R&D Department budget.
• Recommend R&D Department promotions / compensation changes / bonus recommendations / dismissals.

Salary

$150,000 - $175,000 + Potential Bonus

Benefits

All major Medical and Dental insurances, PTO, 401K with profit sharing contributions

Technical Qualifications:

• Advanced Degree preferred with experience in synthesis and applications of acrylic resins and associated curing agents and additives.
• Someone who has been in industry for 15 years would be great.
• Should have a strong background in Resins, Coatings, Inks, UV Cure, many others.
• Must have been a manager for over 5 years and have leadership and strong team building skills.
• Education: MS to PhD

If you’d like to hear more about this opportunity and others we are currently working on, please contact Stephanie Kemp at skemp@cps4jobs.com.

JO: 28.26SK
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