Industrial R And D - Product Development Chemist

Franklin International, a leading manufacturer of adhesives, coatings, and sealants is currently seeking a Product Development Chemist in our Industrial Research and Development Department. This position is responsible for supporting the lab’s efforts to develop new products and technologies as well as to improve current adhesive technologies by performing a variety of chemist and laboratory job duties.

Fundamental Job Tasks:
Product Development

• Independently lead product development projects from lab synthesis to plant production and customer trials
• Responsible for internal/external communication on project progress through project team meetings, stage gate meetings, customer meetings, and verbal or email communication
• Manage projects through Stage Gate Process:

Early engagement in customer interviews to develop clear technical requirements
Develop technical plan, which includes technical approach, resource needs, testing methods, and timeline, that aligns with customer and business expectations
Synthesize, formulate, and test PUR adhesives as well as analyze results
Upon customer approval of adhesive candidates, scale-up in pilot and production facilities
Lead customer PUR adhesive trials with the support of Technical Service group
Lead the project through final qualification and commercialization
Provide technical support after products are fully commercialized
Work closely with chemists, technicians and/or interns, and cross-functional teams to achieve growth targets
Ability to perform in a team environment and encourage teamwork and information sharing
Manufacturing support, including new product scale-up and existing product support for consistency and quality
Observe safety and environmental guidelines while handling products, raw materials and wastes
Participate in review meetings as necessary to ensure that the Product and Process Development priorities are aligned with those of management of the functional areas (Administration, Sales and Marketing, Operations, Logistics, Quality, EH&S, etc.

Customer Engagement

• Attend or present technical work at Trade Meetings and Conferences as defined by the Business Leader and Technical Leader
• Build peer-to-peer relationships at customers as defined by the Business Leader and Technical Leader
• Manage project interactions with customer to ensure successful project completion and product commercialization

Knowledge and Skills:

• PhD in Polymer Chemistry, Chemistry, Materials Sciences or Chemical Engineering with excellent background in polyurethanes
• 1-5 years of work experience in research institute or industrial product development group with polyurethane (1K, 2K and hot-melt PUR) experience is preferred
• Experience in adhesion science is preferred
• Creativity with strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Utilizes a logical scientific approach to identify and solve problems
• Experience in polyurethane polymer design, synthesis, formulation, scale-up, and manufacturing
• Must have strong understanding of polymer structure-property relationships along with chemistry/rheology/engineering and processing fundamentals with conceptual skills
• Bench chemistry formulation experience along with classic testing instrumentation knowledge
• Excellent communications skills and strong inter-personal skills are required

About Us
Based in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin International is among the largest privately held manufacturers of adhesives and sealants in the United States. We opened in 1935 as the Franklin Glue Company and today are known as Franklin International to reflect our global distribution across 60 countries on six continents around the globe. Our Construction Building Products division provides the Titebond brand of glues, adhesives and sealants for use in woodworking and all facets of residential and commercial construction. Franklin International employs over 400 people in its laboratory, R&D center, sales/marketing offices and manufacturing facility, all located at its corporate headquarters in Columbus, Ohio. We are an American family-owned, U.S.-based company and our products sold in the U.S. are made in America.

Franklin International is proud of our family-friendly atmosphere. We are small enough that people know your name, but big enough to have the resources available to do amazing things within our industry. Our award-winning benefits program includes a wide range of benefits from medical, dental, and vision insurance to more unique options like a free on-site fitness center, nurse health coach, 529 Plan matching, and adoption support. Our average employee tenure is over twelve years; learn more at www.FranklinInternational.com.
Our Vision: To be the most trusted adhesion company in the world.

Job Type: Full-time