Product Development Scientist

Purpose and role of job:

The purpose of this job is to create, develop, and implement new and proprietary designs of absorbent-related product systems based upon business, customer, and consumer needs as well as provide support for the needs of present product systems to assure competitive performance and value.

Principal Accountabilities/ Responsibilities:

Participate as a member of the Product Development team; execute projects in timely, diligent, safe, and professional manner, and contribute to the growth of the team and department. Design new products and product improvements to meet business and consumer needs. Develop new and improved materials and technologies with suppliers, and ensure all new raw materials obtain proper safety testing and clearance. Use basic Design of Experiments (DOE) techniques to develop experimental plans. Support the existing business product cost improvements through product redesigns. Provide technical support to reduce consumer complaints. Support corporate proprietary technology by documenting and patenting novel ideas. Develop new test methods to better predict and understand product performance in use. Work with more senior scientist or manager to help set project objectives. Coach and develop indirect reports to enhance team performance towards department objectives.

Education and experience requirements:

Four year technical degree (e.g. Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering) or equivalent; additional business studies preferred. 3+ years in R&D inventing, developing and implementing new products. Knowledge of and experience with developing product systems for the retail market, preferably hygiene products Knowledge of materials used in retail absorbent products (e.g. pulp, super absorbent polymers, nonwovens). Working knowledge of consumer product converting technologies for pulp, paper and nonwoven materials. Experience with the process of searching, evaluating and filing patents. Experience providing direction for the physical testing of hypotheses, resulting in specific conclusions and recommendations. Able to speak, read and write the English language and have strong oral and written communication skills. Good analytical skills, with working knowledge of basic statistics. Good computer skills in Microsoft Office program. Able to travel ~20-30% to US and International for product and process trials.

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