Senior Scientist

Position Overview

This position is responsible for building and executing a pipeline of research and development activities specifically relating to materials science, development/implementation of new resins/barriers/additives/processes, and increasing usage of Post Consumer Recycled resins. This person will work extensively with both internal and external partners to lead development of next generation materials science solutions that enable more sustainable products in the marketplace.

• Use material science knowledge to lead research & decision making relative to new resin solutions and alternatives.
• Drive ongoing innovation and technology scouting activities in sustainability, particularly in the materials arena.
• Act as the internal expert regarding PCR usage and approaches/methods for increasing the amount of PCR in RPSNAB products.
• Maintain timelines and budgets related to material development programs aligned with overall business objectives.
• Demonstrate a collaborative work style with willingness to learn and teach or coach others.
• Apply strong program management skills and experience to lead high priority, cross‑functional development programs, including indirect leadership of cross‑functional project teams.
• Prescribe appropriate project management & engineering tools for development & implementation of resin/barrier solutions.
• Provide technical guidance to engineering, manufacturing, and other internal/external customers as required.
• Support business units by creating business cases for resin/barrier solutions including targeted performance specifications, costing, and overall value proposition.
• Establish inspection protocols and validate new product & material specifications.
• Combine lateral/creative thinking with scientific knowledge to achieve results.
• Understand the business well enough to understand overall market needs and predict future needs.
• Work autonomously and add value in all phases of a project, applying analytical skills.
• Seek feedback and correct own performance.
• Oversee resin trials and/or participate in material selection activities.
• Specify and approve lab work requests, including sign‑off on resin/process configurations and oversight of the qualification of new resins/materials where applicable.
• Demonstrate strong written and oral communication and interpersonal skills.
• Exhibit tact and effectiveness in dealing with a wide variety of stakeholders in everyday working relationships & executive reporting/communication.
• Hold self and others to appropriate policies and procedures.
• Maintain and enforce all company safety, environmental, and Department of Health requirements.

• Education:
  
  Master’s Degree or PhD in a materials-related discipline preferred.
• 8–10+ years of relevant experience plus a degree in material science, engineering, or equivalent.
• Experienced program leader in material science within a corporate setting, able to define, implement, and maintain effective program management practices.
• Proficient in material science and its relevant impact on injection and blow molding processes.
• Proficient knowledge of PET, PP, HDPE and basic knowledge of alternative materials.
• Demonstrated expertise in plastics conversion technologies desired (extrusion, injection molding, blow molding, ISBM, etc.).
• Ability to work in a complex research & development environment.
• Establish and direct appropriate work standards.
• Proficient at establishing and maintaining relationships with vendors and other external partners.
• Travel 10 %.

• Customer Focus
• Learning on the Fly
• Interpersonal Savvy
• Drive for Results

• Functional/Technical Skills
• Dealing with Ambiguity
• Organizational Awareness
• Innovation Management

• Commercial and Operations stakeholders.
• Corporate R&D.
• Upper management, peers, Design team, and Project Management team.
• Internal relationships with quality control, purchasing/procurement, and finance.
• External relationships with clients and vendors.

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• Normal Vision
• Hearing/Listening
• Hand/Finger Dexterity
• Walkin…