Development Technician

Woodbridge; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Compensation

Retirement plan with company match

Flexible working hours

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Woodbridge is seeking a technical professional to coordinate the development and improvement of new foam products. You will lead experimental design, analyze data, and present findings while assisting with housekeeping, inventory, standards, and procedures for the Development Laboratory, Process Laboratory, and Development Pour Line.

The role requires leading/participating in experiments, operating lab instruments, and applying chemical safety practices. Prior urethane experience is a plus.

Qualifications

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical procedures.
• Ability to write reports and manuals.
• Ability to present information to groups of managers and clients.

Responsibilities

• Develop and modify foam formulations to meet customer and organization expectations.
• Frequent interaction with production staff.
• Write and update procedures, standards, and policies.
• Help maintain the Development laboratories and work areas.

Skills

Language skills

Math skills

Analytical thinking

Computer skills

Education

Two-year degree or related experience

Tools

Windows OS

Microsoft Office

FT-IR

Viscometer

Zwick

Job description

About Woodbridge

We are innovators using advanced technology to manufacture next generation products. We are pioneers in foam technology science and provide our products to customers in multiple industries. We are a global team of over 7,000 teammates strong who are laser focused on quality, collaboration, and a commitment to sustainability. We are proud to give back to the communities in which we live and work through our Woodbridge Cares programs that serves communities around the world through volunteerism and philanthropy. We are a people centric organization that has been awarded numerous recognitions for our commitment to manufacturing excellence and innovation. Join us and be part of a team that is shaping the future of foam technology.

Woodbridge Culture

Woodbridge takes immense pride in its robust corporate (think people first, innovation, lets get to it, manufacturing focused) culture, which serves our customers, Teammates, and the world. We're thrilled to share that in 2024, Woodbridge has been awarded Deloitte's Best Managed designation for eight consecutive years. This accolade is not just an award; it's a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation, inspiring you to be a part of our journey!

What's in it for you?

• Competitive Compensation & Benefits Plan
• Defined Contribution Plan with additional company match - Automatic company contribution to a top quartile retirement savings plan with more incentives to match
• Flexible Working Hours
• Employee Assistance Program with free access to health and wellness coaches
• Continuous Learning Culture - We believe in Upskilling & Internal Promotions!

Summary

The position is responsible for coordinating the development and improvement of new foam products. Expectations are to lead and participate in experimental design, and analysis, compilation, and presentation of data. This position is also responsible for assistance with the management of housekeeping, inventory, standards, and procedures for the Development Laboratory, Process Laboratory, and Development Pour Line.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Develop and modify foam formulations to meet customer and organization expectations
• Frequent interaction with production staff
• Write and update procedures, standards, and policies
• Help maintain the Development laboratories and work areas

HEALTH, SAFETY, AND THE ENVIRONMENT

• Comply with Woodbridge Health, Safety and Environmental policy, applicable laws, regulations and standards, in any workplace, regardless of location
• Continuously remind colleagues, students, and visitors of the need to persistently comply with Woodbridge Health, Safety and Environmental Policies and Practices
• Ensure HS&E training requirements are met and up to date

THE WOODBRIDGE WAY

• Consistently adhere and respect the values and principles stated in the "Code of Business Conduct and Ethics"
• Understand and apply WPS principles, 5S and Kaizen to eliminate waste and drive continuous improvement in work areas
• Promote innovation and collaborative teamwork
• Demonstrate honesty and integrity and ensure a productive work environment based on mutual trust and respect for others
• Be cost conscious

TECHNICAL ROLE

• Lead/participate in experimental design and compilation, analysis, and presentation of data
• Execute experiments designed to meet the objectives of Research and Development projects
• Ability to safely use/operate a variety of lab instruments such as scales, mixers, die press, Zwick, K-F Titrator, Viscometer, FT-IR, etc. and other analytical devices with training.
• Prior chemical laboratory experience is required. Chemical safety and handling, including HMIS, training is mandatory.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Direct supervisory responsibilities are limited. Examples include supervision of interns, supervision of line trials, or covering for vacations.

Preferred Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION And/or EXPERIENCE

Two-year degree or related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Previous urethane experience is a plus.

Language Skills

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to apply mathematical concepts and operations to development tasks.

Computer Skills

Proficiency in Windows OS and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) with the ability to quickly learn and adapt to new internal software systems.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, feel; reach with hands and arms; climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, talk, and hear. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; risk of electrical shock; and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Woodbridge is committed to fostering a diverse workplace. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider applicants without regard to race, colour, ancestry, creed, place of origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, family status, disability, or any other protected status. If you have any accommodation requirements, please let us know, and we will do our best to meet your needs in accordance with applicable local legislation.