RandD Scientist (Food Packaging)

For more than 15 years, Taghleef Industries, Inc. has built a reputation as one of the world’s largest and most recognized industry leaders in specialty BOPP (Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene) films.

Research & Development Scientist – North America

The R&D Scientist is responsible for the technical aspects of the development of new orientated films, functional coatings, and associated process technologies, working closely with the production facility and analytical laboratory.

The role also includes continuous improvement from concept to market launch via a stage-gate innovation process, as well as root cause support in the event of complaints.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for design, evaluation, and reporting on trial programs in plastic film product development at lab, pilot, and production scale to meet standards and troubleshoot any issues based on root cause analysis.
• Drives the technology development process and actively participates in the identification and analysis of innovation platforms.
• Meet customers to understand their needs and translate them into product designs, and present technical problems and developments.
• Design and plan R&D trials in coordination with sales, customer service, and manufacturing considering international Food Contact regulations.
• Develop and implement technical plans through pilot scale and commercial plant trials. Participates in and manages cross-functional project teams as required.
• Coordinate, consolidate, and analyze new film product structure/property characterization and support customer trials and qualifications.
• Work with pilot and plant engineers to develop process conditions for successful operation with commercially viable line rates and continuity. Develop technical data packages and film performance data to support commercial launch.
• Maintains relationships with key end-users, external business organizations, industry trend-setters, equipment manufacturers, and customers.
• Develops and sustains collaborative relationships across organizations and functions within Taghleef Industries Inc. and corresponding colleagues in Europe, MENA, and Asia for ideas generation through to commercial introduction.
• Work collaboratively with the supporting teams in the related departments regarding making film samples, testing of film products, and transfer of the formulations into manufacturing scale regionally and sometimes globally.
• Attends and resolves customer complaints and provides technical support as required based on experience.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree required, Ph.D. degree preferred, in Chemistry, Material Science, Polymer Science, or closely related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in the development and scale-up of plastics, films, converting processes, flexible packaging, labelling or a related industry is required.
• Familiarity with the relationships between the structure and properties of polyolefins and related polymers regarding the design of multilayer film structures and the methods used to characterize them.
• Thorough understanding of the properties of film structures and the interactions between the relevant materials.
• Project management skills and experience.
• Experience with the process of searching, evaluating, and filing patents.
• R&D stage-gate process management.
• Ability to build internal and external relationships.
• Willingness to work in a team and good interpersonal skills.
• Proactive and able to communicate with senior management.
• Accountability for project timelines.
• English native speaker or fluent in English.
• Ability to travel up to 10%.

Taghleef is a Drug Free Workplace - Must pass pre-employment drug screen and background check.

Taghleef Industries, Inc. is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a qualified individual with a disability or any other characteristic protected by law.