Senior R&D Chemist

Join the PAK

The Visual Pak Companies are aligned with many of the largest consumer product companies in the household, personal care, automotive and food product industries.

30 years of consistent growth with no end in sight is a testament to our best-in-class workforce as the foundation for our collective success. The Visual Pak is looking for innovative and dedicated achievers who are encouraged to keep a healthy work/life balance to join our team.

Senior Research & Development Chemist

The purpose of this position is to execute or direct all required steps in product development from initial concept to final formula and production. To be responsible for innovation, cost savings and customer development by providing sample development and submissions.

Direct Reports                     

None

Position Responsibilities-Tasks-Deliverables

• Enforce Hazardous Material Handling Procedures.
• Develop new marketable products and revise/reformulate existing formulas and break down competitive products, including all aspects of development from stability to scale up to meet customer requirements.
• Develop innovative products to expand the R&D formula library.
• Write, review, and approve production batch procedures and monitor pilot and scale up batches.
• Review historical data for adjustments or time saving process modifications and implement them for time/cost savings.
• Manage and coordinate lab batches for customer presentations and meetings.
• Assist in the management and development of Chemists and Technicians.
• Help trouble shoot production batches.
• Independent research.
• Continuous review of R&D Lab SOPs and update appropriately.
• Assist Purchasing and Sourcing in qualifying alternate suppliers for chemicals.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Number of lab validations and assisted pilot blends
• Number of resolved QC/Compounding related issues.
• Process improvements because of gathering historical data and troubleshooting production issues.

Benefits:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life & AD&D Insurance
• 401(k)
• 401(k) match
• Pet Insurance
• Paid time-off
• Paid holidays
• Tuition reimbursement
• Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Subsidy
• Childcare Resources
• Commuter Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Disability Insurance
• Employee Discounts 

Knowledge-Skills-Abilities:

Education:

• BS or MS in Chemistry or Biosciences or Material Science (Biology, Botany, Biochemistry etc.) or equivalent progressive work experience with supplemental certifications.

Experience:

• 5+ years in formulation chemistry for health and beauty, personal care is required.
• Knowledge of emulsion technologies, and surfactant use.
• Skilled in performing tech transfers.
• Eye for detail and record keeping.
• Very organized and work efficient.
• Product Formulation for skin and hair care. Write formulas for different applications: emulsions, surfactant systems, and hair styling categories. Color cosmetics and color matching are a plus.
• Self-motivated and directed.
• Experience in cleaners and household a plus.
• Organized so as to lead multiple projects with competing priorities and resources.
• Bench experience blending formulas and product specification testing: including but not limited to pH, viscosity, specific gravity, and percent solids.
• Proficient understanding of raw materials and chemical compatibility used for formulation development while proficiently applying it to predict the overall final product’s physical and chemical properties.
• Experience in reverse engineering, tech transfers, and production scale-ups.
• Customer-facing experience and working with clients on marketing briefs and new product development.
• Knowledge in stability testing, claims substantiation, US and EU cosmetic regulations.
• Knowledge of trade names, suppliers/vendors, and alternate chemicals for qualification.
• Experience reviewing production master formulas.
• Experience troubleshooting production OOS issues.
• Experience presenting innovations to customers along with sales and marketing teams.
• Ability to analyze technical data or qualitative feedback.

Technology/Software:

• Must be familiar with all basic cosmetic lab equipment including viscometer, pH meter, pycnometer, and moisture analyzer.
• Must be PC literate and literate in MS Office software: Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Communication:

• Professional demeanor, using active listening skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Provides solid customer interaction, to gain trust and partnership.

Physical Capabilities

Strength (lifting, dexterity, repetitive motion):

• Must be able to carry and lift up to 40 pounds.

Movement (standing, stopping, sitting, crouching, crawling):

• Able to stand 50% of the time, alternating between sitting, movement, stationary and standing.

Hearing (loud noise tolerance, quiet work area, public speaking, receiving work direction):

• Noise levels vary between the manufacturing floor and laboratory area.

Vision (judge distance, read signs, extended computer work, identify details):

• Able to use sight to identify chemicals by reading labels, see texture, measure ingredients, judge chemical interactions, toggle between computer and test area station, and see obstacles to avoid injury.

MISCELLANEOUS

Travel: N/A

Vehicle (own): able to commute between site locations > 1 mile.

Tools (own): N/A

Technology (own): N/A

Visual Pak Companies is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Visual Pak does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, gender (orientation or identification), sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other basis covered by federal, state, or local laws. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, skills, individual performance, and business needs.