Senior Product Development Scientist

Celotex; Hadleigh; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in insulation products is seeking a Project Leader to drive new product development and process improvement initiatives. The ideal candidate will have a degree or PhD in science or engineering, strong teamwork and communication skills, and a passion for product quality. This full-time role offers a dynamic work environment with opportunities for personal development and a range of benefits including a performance bonus and company pension.

Benefits

Performance Bonus

Company pension

Employee discount

Life insurance

On-site parking

Store discount

Qualifications

• Degree or PhD in a relevant field.
• Experience in product development projects.
• Willingness to travel across manufacturing sites.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects for new product formulations and process improvements.
• Ensure safety and sustainability in the work environment.
• Manage plant trials and analyze results.

Skills

Teamwork

Interpersonal skills

Problem solving

Organisational skills

Communication

Education

Degree in science or engineering

PhD in science or engineering

Job description

Purpose of the job:

• To lead projects involving development of new formulation, optimisation of products and support process improvement activities across both manufacturing sites for the Celotex insulation product brand.
• To maintain at all times the high level of quality of what we do and how we do it, as required by our customer through the business, being demanding of project teams to achieve difficult objectives, to deliver projects, to take on real challenges and to explore unknown domains.
• To lead projects or activities, identify and secure the required capabilities and resources and demonstrates a strong emphasis on customer centricity, on-time delivery, results focus, strong communication and stakeholder management.

Main tasks of the job:

• Drive a safe and sustainable work environment, promoting our EHS obligations and identifying improvement opportunities and completes safety plan requirements.
• Display a risk awareness mentality and ensure our safety systems and processes are followed.
• Keep internal and external customers at the heart of all activities through defining their requirements and the root causes of problems.
• Responsible for researching new product formulations and concepts through evaluation of new chemicals, recipes and processes in the laboratory and on the manufacturing lines.
• Act as an entrepreneur and develops the understanding of our products (PIR foams) and link key leavers in our process to product structure/properties with formulation/process.
• Work closely with the plant teams and manage plant trials and subsequent analysis of results.
• Record accurately all evaluations, investigations and trials and issue reports when required.
• Present technical data in a clear and precise form, draw conclusions and define next steps ensuring that communications methods / styles / content are adapted to the level of the audience.
• Lead cross-functional teams to deliver business priorities at pace

Skills and Experience Required:

• Degree in science or engineering related subject with relevant industrial experience or a doctorate (PhD) in science or engineering related subject.
• Chemist, Process Chemist, Material science or experience in Polyurethane is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team and deliver new product development projects in a multi-functional and multi-cultural environment.
• Evidence of good interpersonal skills, practical ability and a ‘can do’, self-starting, flexible approach to overcome obstacles and find solutions to achieve project goals.
• High level of organisation and planning skills.
• Willingness to travel across the Soprema UK manufacturing sites as this may be required occasionally. Driving licence will be required.
• On time project delivery and resilience to obstacles to deliver our customer solutions.
• Is passionate about product quality and rapid project delivery.
• Demonstrates high personal credibility in the technical and business areas due to high integrity, best for business intent, identification of relevant competencies or capabilities, and delivery of results.
• Committed to personal development and continuous improvement activities in project teams to increase the effectiveness of the technical department in support of business objectives.
• Is passionate about creating and sharing of knowledge with the wider business to ensure effective learning is transferred.

Work Pattern: Full Time, Monday to Friday

Benefits:

• Performance Bonus
• Company pension
• Employee discount
• Life insurance
• On-site parking
• Store discount