Associate Manager, Research and Development - Process Engineer

SC Johnson GmbH; United States; Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonuses and incentives

401(k) with company match

Subsidized health care plans

Maternity/paternity/adoption leave

Flexible work arrangements

Vacation purchase options

Recreation and fitness centers

Childcare support

Counseling services and more

Job summary

SC Johnson is seeking an experienced process development lead to innovate and scale up Personal Care formulations at our Racine, WI Pilot Plant. This hands-on role focuses on turning ideas into scalable, consumer-ready products on the manufacturing floor.

You will collaborate across teams to develop robust processes, run DoE studies, and ensure quality specs for production at internal and external sites. Relocation assistance to Racine, WI is provided.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years' experience with a focus on formulation scale-up, commercialization, qualification, and hands-on troubleshooting in a manufacturing environment.
• 2+ years' experience in the personal care/cosmetics industry.
• Authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship for full-time employment.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and scale-up for Personal Care products and ensure scalable, consumer-ready formulas.
• Conduct process development experiments and scale-up readiness (Design of Experiments).
• Develop process instructions and quality specs for production.
• Plan qualification tests, line trials, and equipment capability studies for internal/external manufacturing.
• Evaluate contract manufacturers' capabilities, cost drivers, and quality systems.
• Troubleshoot quality and production issues with quality and supply planning teams.

Skills

Formulation scale-up

Process development

Troubleshooting

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or related field

Tools

SAP

PLM/Project Lifecycle Management

Job description

ABOUT THE ROLE

Step into the heart of innovation at the SC Johnson Pilot Plant in Racine, WI, where you'll lead the development and scale-up of new Personal Care products across our Lifestyle Brands network. Partnering with the Production Services Manager, you'll ensure every product delivers a consistent, high-quality experience - no matter where it's made. This is a hands-on role for a problem-solver who thrives on the manufacturing floor. If you bring sharp attention to detail, quick decision-making, and a passion for formulation and process development, you'll play a key role in turning ideas into scalable, consumer-ready products. Please note: This role is offering domestic relocation assistance to Racine, WI

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct all necessary process development experiments (i.e. Design of Experiments) for scale-up readiness for new product launches.
• Execute lab and pilot plant studies outlined in the process development plan to ensure the scalability and robustness of formulas.
• Develop the process instructions and quality specs that will be used in production.
• Develop qualification plans, line trials, and equipment capability studies to ensure successful commercialization at internal and external manufacturing locations.
• Conduct in-depth technical feasibility assessments of contract manufacturers/suppliers, including manufacturing capabilities, cost drivers, and quality systems.
• Assist quality and supply planning teams to troubleshoot quality and/or production issues at manufacturing locations.
• Develop commercialization risk assessments ahead of scale-up to help ensure the right level of resource and time allocation (depending on product complexity and supply chain stability).
• Create quality specifications, process instructions, and formula specifications as well as ongoing management of data accuracy in Project Lifecycle Management software (SAP).
• Participate in project teams, influencing short-and long-term project plans.
• Identify new product, cost, supply assurance and quality improvement opportunities.
• Collaborate with Engineering and other groups to build capabilities and continuously strive to improve the operation, efficiency and capability of the sites.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE YOU'LL BRING

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years' experience with a focus on formulation scale-up, commercialization, qualification, and hands-on troubleshooting in a manufacturing environment.
• 2+ years' experience in the personal care/cosmetics industry.
• Qualified candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship for full-time employment.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCES AND SKILLS

• Proven experience and knowledge of process development, scale-up and manufacturing best practices.
• Knowledge of OTC/personal care process / manufacturing guidelines and requirements.
• Superior technical knowledge, attention to detail and ability to multi-task - we move fast!
• Passion for innovation and environmental sustainability.
• Highly effective communication skills - able to articulate ideas, voice constructive opinions.
• Ability to collaborate well as a member of a multi-functional team.
• Ability to stay focused on the big picture.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Full-time, salaried (exempt) This role is offering domestic relocation assistance Travel required (up to 33% of time) Office work environment, Racine, WI Remote work available once a week after 90-day onboarding period Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice as assigned by the Manager. The job description does not constitute a contract of employment and the position remains at-will.

BENEFITS AND PERKS

• SC Johnson’s total compensation packages are at or above industry levels.
• In addition to salary, total packages may include bonuses, long-term incentives, matching 401(k) contributions and profit sharing based on company profitability, job level and years of service.
• Subsidized health care plans.
• Maternity/paternity/adoption leave.
• Flexible work arrangements.
• Vacation purchase options.
• Recreation and fitness centers.
• Childcare.
• Counseling services and more.

Inclusion & Diversity

We're a global business, with people from every culture, ethnicity, race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age and ability. We recognize the breadth of human experience, and we work to celebrate it. It is our goal to build a diverse, inclusive and supportive work environment where all people can thrive. We're committed to ongoing efforts that help us attract, hire, and retain diverse talent who want to build a positive, inclusive environment. Read more about our ongoing initiatives at https://jobs.scjohnson.com/inclusion.

Better Together

At SC Johnson, we believe people achieve their best when they collaborate and work together in person. We value connection to strengthen teamwork, accelerate problem solving, and drive innovation.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The policy of the Company is to ensure equal opportunity for all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, gender identity, gender expression, disability, citizenship, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in any active or reserve component of the US or state military forces, genetic history or information or any other category protected by law.

Accommodation Requests

If you are an individual with a disability and you need an accommodation or other assistance during the application process, please call our Human Resources department at 262-260-3343 or email your request to [e-mail].

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