Applications Development Specialist

Davita Inc.; Decatur (IL); On-site; USD 96,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading producer of plant-based ingredients is seeking an Applications Development Specialist to conduct R&D on bio-based products. The role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive innovation and product development while ensuring technical solutions meet customer needs. The position promises a competitive salary and a dynamic work environment.

Benefits

401(k) plan with company contributions

Multiple healthcare plan choices

Paid time off including holidays

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years direct experience in applications development, materials science, or technical service.
• Experience in carbohydrate chemistry or polymer science preferred.
• Proficiency in laboratory techniques required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct R&D activities focused on bio-based products.
• Drive technical requirements assessments with customers.
• Support new business development with market information.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Collaboration

Communication

Education

BS in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or related field

Tools

Chromatography

Mass spectrometry

Job description

Applications Development Specialist | Primient

About Primient

Primient is a century old company with an entrepreneurial spirit. We are a leading producer of food and industrial ingredients made from plant-based, renewable sources. We deliver value through deep technical, commercial, and operational excellence that is backed by our long-standing corn wet milling heritage. Wherever we are in the process, from field to customer, our priorities are focused on ensuring we produce the safest, highest quality products through practices that uphold both our responsibility and commitments to the challenge and drive for excellence, our people and our planet. We are a privately held company with locations across the US, Mexico, Poland, and Brazil. We're investing in our plants and people to unlock our potential in the industrial and food sectors. Guided by our values of Safety, Excellence, Integrity, and Growth, we're focused on growing our business, our reputation, and the career of every teammate.

About the Role

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced individual to join our dynamic team. The successful candidate will be responsible for conducting research and development activities focused on chemistry, biology, and applications of bio-based products. This role is responsible for supporting growth of Primient ingredients which involves designing/executing experiments, analyzing data, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive innovation and product development within industrial market segments. Customer focused, innovative, collaborative, results oriented individuals in this position directly contribute to the product line success and the strong reputation Primient holds throughout the industry.

This is an exciting opportunity to come into a private equity-backed, market leading industrial manufacturer with a history of success and a strong reputation in the market. It has a long track record of success, a reputation for superior capabilities, along with a diversified and marquee customer base for whom it creates mission critical products.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain a strong working knowledge of Primient's products and customers.
• Leverage Primient capabilities, and broad range of products, to explore and develop solutions. Clearly demonstrate and document the value of working with Primient and the solutions provided.
• Drive customers need assessments with cross-functional teams to identify technical requirements and commercial value for sales opportunities.
• Develop and deliver appropriate technical information to share with customers.
  • Support customer interactions through deep category expertise and ingredient performance knowledge.
  • Ensure solutions are customer relevant.
• Represent the team during technical interactions, by establishing and building relationships with key contacts, which entails gathering key feedback in a timely manner, along with an effective solution.
• Support new business development opportunities by providing product recommendations, technological feasibility, market information, risk assessments, and performance insights.
• Understand established, emerging and competitive technologies, ingredients, and solutions to ensure shared commercial success.
• Recognize customer concerns that must be resolved and be open to alternative paths that drive to a mutually beneficial resolution.
• Partner with Primient sales, technical service colleagues, and the customer to identify mutually viable solutions to meet application needs. Adapt and deliver compelling value propositions to expand sales and drive value.
• Perform complex laboratory procedures and projects with minimal supervision. Plan, organize, conduct, and support customer trials, lab work, and technical projects to fulfill commercial strategies.
• Complete technical reports and data analysis; coordinating with customers and field teams as needed. Perform experiments that are consistent with best practice research methods.
• Ability to effectively record developed test methods, SOPs and training documentation.
• Advocate sharing of insight and technical knowledge with Primient cross-functional stakeholders to drive company continuous improvement and communicate voice of the customer.
• Ensure compliance with both internal and external safety and regulatory standards.
• Travel required across North America for customer applications. Estimated average travel at <20%.

About You

• Customer/Market Driven - Understand and anticipate customer/market aims, needs, processes, and success measures, to better develop and position solutions that have real impact. Actively seek feedback and use market insights to deliver customer value at every stage of the research, development, and delivery process.
• Commercial Savvy -- Combine insights on technical expertise, the external environment, and our customers business with a deep understanding of Primient to drive commercially astute business decisions consistent with our strategic objectives.
• Technical Solution Development - Play a critical role in developing and applying a strong technical understanding of products and solutions, partnering with customers in the development and problem-solving processes. Think creatively, analytically, and holistically, employing innate curiosity to explore problems and generate impactful solutions. Develop and maintain a strong working knowledge of products and processes.
• Research and Process Effectiveness -- Leverage internal processes and systems to execute work in a manner that meets scientific and professional standards; conduct rigorous and high-quality research that elevates Primient's brand as a world-class solutions provider.
• Collaboration and Influence -- Seek out colleagues, customers, and external partners to create more effective solutions. Operate within the matrix and integrate work across functional and geographical boundaries, to increase shared learning, speed to market and financial impact.
• Function as an internal advisor to drive the direction of Primient and externally to inform thinking and action when solving complex problems. Leverage deep understanding of stakeholders, partners, and customers to influence and collaborate effectively.
• Results Focused -- Accountability for delivering world class solutions. Pro-actively take ownership in leading and contributing to high-quality and timely work.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• BS or higher in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Polymer Science, Materials Science, or related field
• Minimum of 5 years direct experience in one more of the following areas: technical service, applications development, product development, materials science, solution formulation, manufacturing, or process engineering.
• Experience/knowledge in:
  • Carbohydrate chemistry, polymer science and engineering, etc.
    • Starch industry experience a plus.
  • Application field where carbohydrates are or could be used.
    • Examples: building materials, adhesives, personal care, biosolutions, enzymes, etc.
• Proficiency in laboratory techniques such as chromatography, spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry preferred.
• Key technical/functional skills required:
  • Product/materials formulation and development
  • Strong analytical thought and problem-solving
  • Test method development and execution
  • Computational and engineering math
  • Ability for hands-on lab/pilot development
  • Robust project planning, prioritization, and execution skills
  • Strong collaboration skills
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to comfortably communicate to all levels of internal and external organizations
  • Curiosity, open-mindedness
  • Statistical analysis aptitude
  • Company and personal growth mindset
  • Microsoft - Word, Excel, PowerPoint

Total RewardsThe annual pay range estimated for this position is $96,072.00 - $144,108.00 and is bonus eligible.

Please note that while this range reflects the full spectrum of compensation available for this role, individual compensation will be determined based on several factors including your experience, skills, and alignment with the role's responsibilities.During the interview process there will be an opportunity to discuss how your background fits into the pay range.

We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:

• Competitive Pay

• Multiple Healthcare plan choices

• Dental and vision insurance

• A 401(k) plan with company and matching contributions

• Short- and Long-Term Disability

• Life, AD&D, and Voluntary Insurance plans

• Paid holidays & vacation

• Floating days off

• Parental leave for new parents

• Employee resource groups

• Learning & development programs

• Fun culture where you have an opportunity in shaping our future

Career Path & Culture

Primient is committed to a workplace that is all in - ensuring everyone has the opportunity to develop and shape a career that matters in an open culture which embraces equity, diversity and belonging. We challenge old ways of thinking; and encourage employee voices to be a guiding force for ongoing learning.

Primient supports a culture of inclusion that respects individual strengths, views, and experiences. We believe our differences make better decisions, drive excellence, and deliver better business results. Primient employees experience autonomy and accountability in their role. Here, employees control their destiny as there is opportunity for career growth and pathways outside the norm.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

We are believers in the power of difference. We strive to represent the communities in which we operate and to provide an inclusive, welcoming environment for all. We want Primient to be a place where every employee feels they belong and knows they are seen, heard, valued and safe to speak up. Our aspiration is to unlock the full potential in diverse perspectives, while offering everyone an equal chance to grow,

Primient is an equal opportunity employer, committed to the strength of an inclusive workforce.

California Consumer Privacy Act ("CCPA")

The Company is committed to complying with the California Consumer Privacy Act ("CCPA") and all data privacy and laws in the jurisdictions in which it recruits and hires employees. We collect the following categories of personal information for the purpose of hiring the best qualified applicants and to comply with applicable employment laws: Name and contact information; Job preference and work availability; Social Security Number and/or other identification information; Education and qualifications; Employment history and experience; Military service; Reference and background check information, including relevant criminal history and credit history; Social media information; Pre-employment test results; Post-offer medical examination information and results, including drug test results; Voluntary self-disclosure information regarding minority, veteran, and disability status; and Information provided by you during the hiring process.