Development Technician

Woodbridge Group; Chattanooga, Northern (TN, KY); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Woodbridge is seeking aDevelopment Laboratory professional in Chattanooga, TN to lead and participate in experimental design, data collection, and analysis for new foam products. You will work closely with production staff to align formulations with customer expectations and ensure documentation and procedures are up to date.

The role emphasizes laboratory upkeep, safety compliance, and collaboration across teams to drive continuous improvement in foam technology.

Qualifications

• Two-year degree or related experience and/or training.
• Previous polyurethane experience is a plus.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business materials and procedures.
• Proficiency with Windows OS and Microsoft Office Suite.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Lab skills

Safety awareness

Data analysis

Education

Two-year degree or related experience

Tools

Scales

Mixers

Die press

Zwick

Titrator

Viscometer

FT-IR

Job description

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Location: Chattanooga, TN, US, 37406 Troy, MI, US, 48084

Company: Woodbridge

Legal Entity: Woodbridge Sales & Engineering Inc.

Requisition ID: 4088

Pay Range:

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 a 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 positionis responsible forcoordinatingthedevelopment and improvement of new foam products. Expectations are to lead andparticipatein experimentaldesign, andanalysis, compilation, and presentation of data.This position isalsoresponsible forassistancewith themanagement of housekeeping, inventory, standards, and procedures for theDevelopment Laboratory, Process Laboratory, and Development Pour Line.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Develop andmodifyfoamformulations to meet customer and organization expectations

Frequent interaction with production staff

Write andupdateprocedures, standards,and policies

Helpmaintainthe Developmentlaboratories and work areas

HEALTH, SAFETY, AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Comply withWoodbridge Health, Safety and Environmental policy, applicable laws,regulationsand standards, in anyworkplace, regardless of location

Continuously remind colleagues, students, and visitors of the need to persistentlycomply withWoodbridge 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 principlesstatedin the “Code of Business Conduct and Ethics”

Understand and apply WPS principles, 5S and Kaizen toeliminatewaste and drive continuous improvement in work areas

Promote innovation and collaborative teamwork

Demonstrate honesty andintegrity andensure a productive work environment based on mutual trust and respect for others

TECHNICAL ROLE

Lead/participatein experimentaldesignandcompilation,analysis,and presentation of data

Execute experiments designed to meet theobjectivesof Research and Development projects

Ability to safely use/operatea variety of lab instrumentssuch asscales,mixers, die press,Zwick, K-F Titrator, Viscometer,FT-IR,etc. and other analytical devices with training.

Priorchemical laboratoryexperienceisrequired. Chemical safety and handling, including HMIS, training is mandatory.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Direct supervisory responsibilities are limited. Examples includesupervision of interns, supervision of line trials, orcovering forvacations.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Toperform 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 abilityrequired. Reasonableaccommodationmay be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Two-year degreeorrelated experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.Previousurethane experience is a plus.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability towritereports, 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 conceptsandoperations todevelopmenttasks.

COMPUTER SKILLS

Proficiencyin 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,establishfacts, 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. Reasonableaccommodationmay be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee isfrequentlyrequired to sit. The employee isfrequentlyrequired 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,frequentlylift 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 closevision, 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. Reasonableaccommodationmay 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.