Process Development Engineer

Description

This position is for an experienced scientist to support product development and formulation of Eastmans Biodegradables products. This position will report through the Biodegradables Technology Division.

Location

• Kingsport TN: Travel up to 90%
• Indianapolis IN Metro: Travel up to 50%
• Other Remote Locations: Travel up to 90%

Responsibilities

1.) Scale up existing products in the Biodegradables Technology product portfolio at internal and external facilities. This includes acting in a hands-on active participatory and leadership capacity.
2.) Hands-on development of SOPs documentation and best practices for compounded product production; sharing with and translating procedures to internal and external parties as required
3.) Partner with internal Eastman stakeholders to harmonize product data with existing data management systems
4.) Recommend further opportunities for process improvement and cost savings
5.) Coordinate and when needed execute analytical testing for process improvement projects at both internal and external testing laboratories
6.) Work collaboratively with Operators Scientists Technicians and Engineering partners to collaboratively scale-up polymer formulations as part of the commercialization process.
7.) Provide timely communications to management and project stakeholders by communicating project needs value priorities and decisions to ensure project success.
8.) Serve as Eastmans technical field liaison during scale up and commercializationrapidly build trust with customers and contract manufacturers through clear professional communication; provide constructive collaborative coaching and direction to customer and operator teams while managing expectations and capturing feedback for continual improvement.

Qualifications

Required Degree Experience and Qualifications:
BS in Chemistry Chemical Engineering Mechanical Engineering or Related Field with 10 years experience in compounding and formulating polymers
Deep understanding of polymer structure/property relationships and approaches to polymer formulations to achieve end-use requirements.
Ability to translate end-use requirements to compounded product concepts
Commitment to high level of safety and environmental awareness
Rapidly build trust with operators contract manufacturers and senior customer leaders.
Coach front-line teams and translate technical needs into clear actionable steps.
Represent Eastman with a customer-first mindset while protecting company interests.
Must exhibit Eastman competencies
Must be a self-starter with a focus on results
Ability to lead and drive challenging projects forward to a decision despite uncertainties
Strong problem-solving skills
Excellent written listening and verbal communication skills

Preferred Degree Experience and Qualifications:
Ph.D. in Chemistry Chemical Engineering Mechanical Engineering or Related Field with 5 years of experience in compounding and formulating polymers
Experience in scaling small-scale processes to plant-scale equipment related to compounding extrusion and/or blending of plastic products
Experience with cellulose esters
Track record of engaging with cross-functional partners to define and evaluate ways to achieve business results
Comfortable challenging peers and supervision to develop creative solutions
Proven ability to engage well with technicians/operators peers and management
Proven experience in leading multifunctional project teams