Senior Scientist - Water Activated Tape

Position Description

Title: Sr. Scientist - Water Activated Tape

Department: Research and Development

Immediate Supervisor: Sr. Director - Research and Development

Status: Exempt

Job Code: 530

Position Purpose: Responsible for building out IPGs fundamental research capabilities as well as leading all technical aspects of IPG's growing global water activated tape business, primarily in e-commerce markets. Responsible for leading research of fundamental material platforms that provide competitive advantage for IPGs various businesses and markets as well as driving WAT projects that involve the application of new technologies, the use of new adhesive platforms, new tape structures or modification of existing structures to meet end-user or manufacturing needs; keeping IPG ahead of the pack in the rapidly evolving e-commerce packaging space. Based at the R&D laboratory in Marysville MI and works closely with team members across the enterprise.

Principle Accountabilities

• Leading fundamental research activities from technology scouting, road-mapping and freedom to operate through platform development, execution, scale-up and IP protection. Special focus will be given to technologies aligned with the company's sustainability initiatives.
• Establishes and executes the technical vision for IPGs Water Activated Tape products with input from the business team.
• Contribute to value creation by developing new applications of technology and/or products using in-depth understanding of technology. Provides significant technical knowhow to develop innovative and sustainable solutions. Make major contributions to formulation and improvement of existing processes/projects.
• Manages and coordinates fundamental research and WAT R&D project activity.
• Support WAT raw materials qualification, optimization, and flexibilization
• Works with Sales and Product Management to identify new WAT products, in a formalized process that includes, customer identification, end-use application needs, identification of production requirements.
• Works with Production to identify new WAT product structures, processes, or chemistries in a formalized process that includes the identification of higher performance structures, formulations and raw materials which will differentiate IPG products from our competition and areas for savings (Inventory reduction, WIP reduction, etc.).
• Works independently or leads a product development team which may include specialists, technicians, and/or cross-functional resources. Guides design of and modifications to experiments and carries out as required by the project.
• Works cross-functionally to execute projects in timely manner; leads production trials, assigns responsibility for all outcomes of these trials, including specifications, pre-trial memos, pre-trial checklists, pre-trial meetings, trial coverage, post-trial testing, reports and follow-up.
• Works with New Technology Platform Development (NTPD) to build IPG's prototyping capabilities for adhesives and finished tape structures.
• Searches out and interprets new technology e.g. products, processes, analytical instruments, software, and raw materials via articles, patents.
• Establishes the criteria for experimental designs and monitors progress of the experiments.
• Evaluates experimental outcomes to determine the significant factors to be studied in future experiments.
• Interacts with current and potential suppliers to provide information, samples, and technical assistance.
• Directs the reverse engineering of key competitive products.

Essential Skills and Experience

1. Advanced degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science or similar technical degree. In-depth understanding of fundamental concepts, practices and procedures relevant to professional discipline
2. Minimum of 10 years product development experience, preferably with a gated product development process.
3. Experience with, and understanding of packaging materials such as tapes, cartons, void-fill (types, properties, testing) is a plus.
4. Ability to direct/refine a research study by advancing new ideas and views.
5. Experience identifying, establishing and managing value-add relationships with external knowledge agencies such as Universities, Governments, Consortia, etc.
6. Detailed understanding of how to apply for a patent, file a Record of Invention.
7. Knowledge of DOE principles and statistical analysis software.
8. Capable of interpreting FTIR, DMA, TGA, DSC, GPC, Texture Analyzer, GC, ESCA, and HPLC data.
9. Proficient in MS Office suite of software, working knowledge of Smartsheet or other project planning software.
10. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Capable of writing reports for distribution at the Executive level. Comfortable presenting results and project updates to team members, executives and customers.
11. Demonstrated customer focus and commitment to IPG values.
12. Demonstrated capability to manage time without consistent day to day interaction with supervisor
13. Ability to coach, mentor lower level scientists.
14. Project management skills
15. Ability to travel ~ 25% to visit IPG plants, IPG HQ and customer and supplier locations.

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