Senior Polymer Technologist

Bluetown; Melton Mowbray; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 80,000

Job description

Job Title: Senior Polymer Technologist

Salary: Competitive

Location: UK, Melton

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

At Orbia, purpose is what draws us together and drives us every single day. Everywhere we are, we are thinking big and working smart to solve some of the toughest challenges.

This is where your abilities can be developed. Where your ambitions can be realized. Where you can own your part in our transformation. Where you can find a diverse, global community of teammates who are making a difference with you. And where you'll be taken care of as you take care of bringing purpose to life.

Alphagary, an Orbia business, is looking for a Senior Polymer Technologist to be based at our Melton Site in Leicestershire.

Job Summary/ Purpose:

1. To formulate new polymer compositions and to provide technical support and service to the compounding business (internal and external customers).
2. This is a senior role within the technical department and so demands that the job holder be able to work with minimal supervision to lead projects and assignments to conclusion/positive outcome.

Main Responsibilities:

1. Lead compound development projects to ensure our formulations meet or exceed customer and market requirements (new business opportunities).
2. Formulate effective compound solutions versus specific customer and market needs.
3. Provide effective and efficient technical service to support scale up and commercialization.
4. Document/record progress of projects and assignments.
5. Establish quality control specifications for new compounds.
6. Provide effective and efficient technical support and service to the operations team.
7. Maintain quality control specifications for existing compounds.
8. Reduce loss by helping to correct formulations and processes.
9. Support the team's efforts on continuous improvement initiatives by providing technical expertise.
10. Identify and implement disposal routes for non-conforming materials and obsolete stock items.
11. Provide effective and efficient technical support and service to customers.
12. Provide on-site technical support during customer evaluation of our compounds and/or troubleshooting.
13. Provide documentation to support use of our compounds for example: technical data sheets, safety data sheets, performance/regulatory declarations, and statements.
14. Support investigation initiatives to resolve customer concerns.
15. Keep Alphagary at the forefront of formulation technology by continually researching and following up on relevant new and emerging technologies.
16. Maintain formulations in the SAP business system to allow smooth order processing and accurate compound costing.
17. Position alternate raw materials to mitigate supply risks and to control formulation costs.
18. Represent the company at relevant conferences and exhibitions and contribute to relevant technical committees when it is beneficial to the company to do so.
19. Maintain a high standard of professionalism, quality, integrity and efficiency within the business both as an example to junior staff and to maintain and enhance the company's reputation in the marketplace.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Bachelor's degree or above in a relevant scientific discipline, preferably Polymer Chemistry/Technology/Engineering.
2. Language(s) and level of proficiency: English, fluent.

Knowledge/ Experience Required:

1. 5 years or more formulating polymer compositions.
2. 5 years or more providing technical support and service to internal and external customers.
3. Demonstrable background working with polymer compositions, preferably semi-rigid or flexible halogen free flame-retardant materials and/or TPE materials.
4. Attending and supervising customer trials.
5. Traveling to foreign countries.
6. Communicating with personnel at all levels within an organisation.
7. Using Office365 applications (Outlook, Word, Excel and TEAMS).
8. Prior experience in a related position is a pre-requisite, it is essential that the individual is a proven formulator of polymer compositions with the skills necessary to solve problems and challenges.
9. Ideally knowledgeable in polymer compositions for wire & cable, grips and sealing applications.
10. Proven ability to operate common polymer processes, with particular emphasis on extrusion (compounding and profile) and injection moulding processes.
11. Proven ability to operate typical polymer testing and analytical apparatus and interpret results for example: Tensometer, Fire testing, MFI, DSC, TGA, FTIR, Oven aging methods.
12. Physical requirements for the position such as mobility, vision, strength, etc. (applicable in line with local laws): The position will require physical movement within a factory environment and travel outside the site (home and abroad). Good vision is required.

Where purpose comes to life, it changes lives. This is what working at Orbia is all about.

If you are excited about this role and your experience and competencies somewhat align with the qualification in the posting, we encourage you to apply.

We believe that every voice matters; every community deserves respect; and every challenge is an opportunity and united by empathy, we are stronger for our different perspectives.

Candidates with experience of; Senior Technical Specialist, Senior Materials Engineer, Formulation Scientist, and Research and Development Technician, may also be considered for this role.