Chemist

Job Description

Job Description

With over 70 years of innovative products and services, Valto is the world’s leading provider of FRP composite panels. Our lightweight composite products deliver unsurpassed strength and durability; and we continue to pioneer next level performance in building materials, recreational vehicles, and transportation. We deliver quality products that perform in demanding environments.

Valto is searching for a Chemist to be based out of our Joliet , IL facility. Reporting to the Technical Manager, this role focuses on performing technical project work, including raw material qualifications, identifying and implementing quality improvements, investigating product and customer issues, and developing new colors while maintaining existing color standards to meet customer needs. The individual may be responsible for presenting findings and recommendations to the Quality Coordinator, Operations, R&D, and customers. Occasional travel to customer sites may be required to investigate and resolve product quality concerns.

POSITION DEMANDS:

• Maintain good attendance and a positive work attitude.
• Have knowledge and understanding of all safety guidelines and specific safety hazards associated with manufacturing process.
• Need thorough understanding of materials (catalyst, promoter, resin, monomer, pigments, and fillers) used in process and how they are to be handled.

• Must be a self-starter with strong analytical skills requiring little supervision.
• Must possess an ongoing continuous improvement mind-set and possess the ability to work in a harmonious manner and interact in a cooperative way with coworkers and supervisors.
• Good technical written and verbal communication skills are required, as is the ability to collaborate and be detail oriented.
• Knowledge of statistical methods and the ability to apply this knowledge to resolve problems and anticipate solutions.
• Must be capable of using precision measuring, weighing instruments, & color instrumentation
• Knowledge of pigments, polyester resins, and catalysts
• Have working knowledge of color measurement and control.
• Have good mathematical aptitude.
• Consistently demonstrate attention to details.
• Have the ability to carry out long series of tests to form hypotheses or optimize mix formulation.
• Ability to multi-task projects
• Must be computer literate.
• Must be physically able to:

• Standing: Remaining in an upright position at workstation with moving about.
• Walking: Moving about on foot
• Stooping: Bending the body downward and forward
• Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, and scaffolding.

• Handling: Seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or otherwise working with your hands.
• Must be able to lift up to 60 lbs.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist in product qualification, test development and troubleshooting projects.
• Coordinate and assist in line trials – may occur in any shift.
• Determine process capability for existing and new colors.
• Conduct special studies and experiments to develop new products, evaluate new test methods, evaluate new raw materials, and investigate the effect of processing factors.
• Optimize existing products, evaluating test methods, raw materials and process variable.
• Mix different chemicals or polymers together to discover the results and chemical properties.
• Assist process engineering with trouble shooting process when raw materials are in question.
• Develop and execute test plans for trial materials, alternate raw materials, and problem resolution.
• Provide summary reports with supporting data and charts (Excel, Minitab)
• Assist with complaint testing and investigations, along with analysis of competitor’s products.
• Assist with internal non-conformances: FGH, FGR and deviations.
• Assist with maintaining, updating, and revising controlled documents and forms.
• Assist with updating product plans and MXVs.
• Ability to utilize business system, KBM and RMS.
• Able to work any shift as needed.
• Perform color matching, color control, slurry formulation, special color related studies and experiments (placing emphasis on the quality of color critical raw materials, in-process & finished products).
• Maintain a clean and safe work area. Follow the established laboratory safety guidelines and procedures (including 5S).
• Assist in the continual improvement projects.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor of Engineering or Science (Chemistry, Biology, or Physics) or associate’s degree or equivalent experience in Chemistry.

ACCOUNTABILITY:

Every individual is held personally accountable for adherence to Job Safe Practice Guidelines as stated on this form and general plant rules as stated in the Employee Handbook.

This position will be held accountable for the following:

• Improper use of Personal Protective Equipment
• Insubordination to the supervisor/manager

JOB SAFE PRACTICE GUIDELINES:

Required Personal Protective Equipment:

1. Safety glasses with side shields
2. Gloves
3. Steel toed safety shoes

Potential Hazards:

1. Many hazards associated with specific tools / machines.
2. Pinch points
3. Moving objects
4. Splash hazard producing chemical burns on/in eyes, skin, mucus membrane.
5. Trip hazard.
6. Falling objects, being hit by falling parts, or other items.
7. Working with exposed heights.
8. Exposure to dust, fumes, temperature changes, & humidity.
9. Hearing loss (Exposure to noisy equipment).

We offer a comprehensive total rewards package that includes bonus eligibility and a competitive benefits program. This package includes employer-subsidized Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance; Short-Term and Long-Term Disability; 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, EAP, and Educational Assistance; Parental Leave, Paid Time Off (for vacation, personal business, sick time, and parental leave), and 11 Paid Holidays.

For this role, we anticipate paying up to $75,000 per year plus bonus. Placement within the range considers experience, skills, and internal equity.

Valto, Inc provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws