Short Description

This posting is for a Process chemist in the Performance Films Technology Organization at Eastman Chemical Company located in DaLian, China. Individual will be primarily supporting automotive and architectural markets for Window Films and Paint Protection Films. The position will have responsibility to be a liaison between Technology and Manufacturing with a keen focus on understanding chemistries and raw materials used in various manufacturing processes to exploit in best-in-class process development, fundamental enhancement of process technology, and successful scale-up while adhering to internal manufacturing readiness protocols. The position also includes scouting new process technologies and chemistries for roll-to-roll coating and lamination operations. Candidate must be flexible, proactive, and professional with experience in scale-up and process development applications such as coatings, pressure sensitive adhesive formulations, radiation cured polymeric coatings, and web handling. Candidate should be able to communicate effectively and function in an innovative, fast-paced, multidisciplinary team environment. 

Responsibilities

•    Ensure compliance with the Zero Incident Mindset Safety programs and MOC system, while identifying safety concerns and implementing effective engineering and administrative solutions.
•    Support the development of coating and adhesive products at lab and pilot scales.
•    Identify innovative technology solutions for new and existing products, including identifying potential tollers and academic partners.
•    Identify raw material improvements and execute qualification studies.
•    Develop and refine analytical methods for product quality control.
•    Define and conduct experiments to enhance understanding of fundamental chemistry for products and processes.
•    Document technical solutions and product/process improvements in internal reports and patents when applicable.
•    Lead the scale-up of new materials in collaboration with product and manufacturing teams, establishing clear scale-up pathways and communicating progress to cross-functional partners.
•    Building out modeling/theory and applying it going forward with final products.
•    Oversee daily operations and address process issues. Coordinate and conduct experiments at lab, pilot, or commercial scales to support process disruptions and resolve issues.
•    Identify opportunities for process improvement and develop solutions that enhance yield, selectivity, and overall process efficiency in manufacturing.
•    Develop capital project proposals, including scope, safety reviews, and cost estimates.
•    Collaborate with project managers to align on deliverables and interpret plans with operations and functional teams.
•    Communicate findings, conclusions, and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders.
•    Develop strategies and lead teams to obtain the information necessary for successfully scaling up new products and processes to commercial scale, either in existing assets or new design to build.
•    Provide technical and business assessments to guide management through decisions and choices in the development and scale-up of new products/processes.
 

Qualifications

• Ph.D. required; preferably in Inorganic, Organic, or Polymer chemistry or Chemical Engineering, preferably related to coatings and adhesives fields.   5+ years of direct manufacturing support preferred.  Experience with wet coating and curing applications (ex: Gravure/Slot Die and UV cure) and Roll-to-Roll Web handling techniques preferred.
• Computer environment: Microsoft: Word, Excel, Power Point.
• Familiar with Six Sigma Methodology using statistical software like Minitab.
• Ability to handle multiple assignments of varying complexity
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills for implementation of cross-functional process improvements
• Strong background in analytical skills for problem-solving of large/complex problems and proven ability in decision making.
• Good written, listening, and verbal communication skills
• Be a team player in a team environment.
• Be a self-starter and a self-motivator
• Willingness to respond to call outs and flexibility to work extended hours for urgent project and plant needs.
• Willingness to flex schedule to support operational issues when needed
• Have a desire to make a measurable positive impact to plant performance and profitability
• Have a desire to obtain hands on experience in R&D and plant operating environments
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both verbally and in writing with varied audiences: manufacturing, fellow researchers, business and technology management, and executive management.