Application Specialist – Care Ingredients

JMJ PHILLIP; Cassopolis (MI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

JMJ PHILLIP is seeking an experienced Application Specialist – Care Ingredients to provide technical expertise and application support for customers in home care, personal care, and related specialty chemical industries.

You will partner with Sales, Marketing, R&D, and Product Management to develop innovative formulations, support customer applications, and drive product adoption. Travel domestically and internationally as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in the chemical industry, preferably in home care, personal care, or specialty ingredients.
• Experience developing formulations and providing customer-facing technical support.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical guidance and application support to customers through on-site visits, virtual meetings, email, and phone communications.
• Troubleshoot formulation and product performance challenges.
• Build strong technical relationships with customers and distribution partners.
• Support customer product evaluations and implementation.
• Develop prototype formulations that align with customer needs and market trends.
• Test and evaluate new products and application concepts.
• Collaborate with laboratory teams on formulation development and validation.
• Recommend product improvements based on customer feedback and testing results.
• Deliver product presentations, demonstrations, and technical training to customers, distributors, and internal teams.
• Represent the company at trade shows, conferences, and industry events.
• Present technical papers, posters, and educational content as appropriate.
• Support sales teams during customer visits and product evaluations.
• Prepare technical data sheets, product literature, application guides, and marketing materials.
• Develop technical presentations, videos, and educational resources.
• Maintain accurate product documentation and technical records.
• Assist marketing with technical content development.
• Serve as the technical liaison between Sales, Marketing, Product Management, and Research & Development.
• Coordinate application testing with laboratory personnel.
• Collaborate with global technical teams to share knowledge and best practices.
• Support product launches and continuous product improvement initiatives.
• Monitor industry trends, customer requirements, and competitive products.
• Provide technical insights that support product positioning and portfolio development.
• Identify opportunities for innovation and new application development.
• Contribute to strategic product and application planning.

Skills

Presentation skills

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Travel domestically and international

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field

5+ years experience in chemical industry

Experience developing formulations and customer-facing technical support

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Dynamics

Sage

MS Office 365

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Application Specialist – Care Ingredients to provide technical expertise and application support for customers within the home care, personal care, and related specialty chemical industries. This role partners closely with sales, marketing, R&D, and product management to develop innovative formulations, support customer applications, and drive product adoption. The ideal candidate has a strong chemistry background, excellent communication skills, and a passion for solving customer challenges through technical innovation.

Position Responsibilities

Customer Technical Support

• Provide technical guidance and application support to customers through on-site visits, virtual meetings, email, and phone communications.
• Troubleshoot formulation and product performance challenges.
• Build strong technical relationships with customers and distribution partners.
• Support customer product evaluations and implementation.

Formulation Development

• Develop prototype formulations that align with customer needs and market trends.
• Test and evaluate new products and application concepts.
• Collaborate with laboratory teams on formulation development and validation.
• Recommend product improvements based on customer feedback and testing results.

Product Demonstration & Training

• Deliver product presentations, demonstrations, and technical training to customers, distributors, and internal teams.
• Represent the company at trade shows, conferences, and industry events.
• Present technical papers, posters, and educational content as appropriate.
• Support sales teams during customer visits and product evaluations.

Technical Documentation

• Prepare technical data sheets, product literature, application guides, and marketing materials.
• Develop technical presentations, videos, and educational resources.
• Maintain accurate product documentation and technical records.
• Assist marketing with technical content development.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Serve as the technical liaison between Sales, Marketing, Product Management, and Research & Development.
• Coordinate application testing with laboratory personnel.
• Collaborate with global technical teams to share knowledge and best practices.
• Support product launches and continuous product improvement initiatives.

Market & Industry Analysis

• Monitor industry trends, customer requirements, and competitive products.
• Provide technical insights that support product positioning and portfolio development.
• Identify opportunities for innovation and new application development.
• Contribute to strategic product and application planning.

Prerequisites

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in the chemical industry, preferably within personal care, home care, or specialty ingredients.
• Experience developing formulations and providing customer-facing technical support.
• Strong presentation and public speaking skills.
• Experience presenting at technical conferences or industry events is highly desirable.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 applications.
• Familiarity with ERP systems such as SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, Sage, or similar platforms.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required.

Certifications (Preferred, but not Required)

• Certified Cosmetic Scientist (CCS)
• Six Sigma Green Belt
• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Technical Sales Certification
• Laboratory Safety Certification
• Regulatory or Cosmetic Science Certifications

What the Role Offers

• Salary: $80,000 – $125,000 annually
• Opportunity to work with innovative specialty chemical technologies.
• Collaborative environment with cross-functional and international teams.
• Exposure to product development, customer innovation, and industry-leading technologies.
• Professional development through technical conferences, training, and global collaboration.
• Opportunity to travel and engage directly with customers and industry professionals.
• Comprehensive benefits package and career advancement opportunities.

Why Cassopolis?

Cassopolis offers a welcoming community with a strong manufacturing and innovation presence, providing professionals with an excellent quality of life, affordable living, and convenient access to outdoor recreation. Its collaborative business environment and proximity to larger regional markets make it an attractive location for building a rewarding long-term career while enjoying a balanced lifestyle.