Technical Service Chemist Americas, Coating Additives

Milliken & Company is a global manufacturing leader whose focus on materials science delivers tomorrow’s breakthroughs today. From industry-leading molecules to sustainable innovations, Milliken creates products that enhance people’s lives and deliver solutions for its customers and communities. Drawing on thousands of patents and a portfolio with applications across the textile, flooring, chemical and healthcare businesses, the company harnesses a shared sense of integrity and excellence to positively impact the world for generations. Discover more about Milliken’s curious minds and inspired solutions at Milliken.com and on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

POSITION TITLE  

Technical Service Chemist, Americas, Coating Additives 

POSITION OVERVIEW 

Full time technical service position focused on supporting the development and growth of the Milliken coating additives business, partnering, and supporting the sales team on developing new business opportunities, and providing effective technical service to existing and new accounts. The ideal candidate has experience in formulating coatings, passion for laboratory work, strong communication and presentation skills, and drives technical performances, excellence, and value to customers continuously.  

This position will report to the Technical Service Manager, Americas, and is based in our Westlake, Ohio office and technical center. 

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Effectively communicate with customers to understand their needs, present the company and our products, and to provide advice  

• Solve formulation issues for customers using Coatings Additives through moderate to difficult complexity projects.   

• Provide value through top quality technical support within acceptable to aggressive timelines.  

• Demonstrate through laboratory work and technical evidence added value and performance enhancement to the coating’s formulation.  

• Understand the competitive landscape and product differentiation.  

• Communicate effectively with stakeholders at different levels:  

• Bench chemists  

• Technical leaders  

• Sales team  

• Customers  

• Provide input in technical and marketing communications to promote the growth of the coatings additive business.  

• Influence the development of products on a regional level by actively participating in discussions with business and technical members.  

• Support the development of technical literature, sales tools, and training programs for internal and distributor use and for presentations to customers.  

• Maintain accurate and timely project data on Alchemy project platform.  

• Prepare reports on work completed (lab projects) and communicate internally and externally.   

• Hands-on work in the lab for all projects   

• Commitment to Milliken Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) policies and values.  

• Position requires up to 30% travel, domestic and international   

Other responsibilities:  

• Initiate and drive projects related to benchmarking and competitive analysis.  

• Provide support for technical questions/issues customers.   

• Custom formulation required to solve technical problems.  

• Author and present technical papers.  

• All other duties assigned by your supervisor.  

QUALIFICATIONS - REQUIRED 

• Bachelors degree in a polymer science, material science, chemistry, or related science field. 

• Minimum of 5 years in the Paint and Coatings industry. 

• Formulated coatings experience is a must.  

• Paint industry knowledge and awareness.  

• Strong presentation and communication skills.  

• Strong collaboration and teamwork skills.  

• Ability to think outside of the box.  

The successful candidate will have strengths in the following: 

• Sound scientific reasoning and attention to detail  

• Experience with design of experiments  

• Desire to be part of a global team  

• Critical thinking and creative problem-solving   

• Experience with instrumental analysis  

• Ambition, drive, and ability to work independently  

• Strong communication and presentation skills  

• Project and time management skills  

• Preferred - experience with formulating coatings, inks and adhesives.  

• Preferred - experience working with raw material supplier(s) in the coating industry.  

Milliken is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, including but not limited to lactation), sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), ancestry, national origin, citizenship, age physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran or military status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.