The Product Manager - Material Management/Plant Support is a key member of the Building and Construction business unit, supporting the development and application of structural adhesives across our core business products, including phenol-formaldehyde (PF), melamine-formaldehyde (MF), and urea-formaldehyde (UF) resins. This position supports internal material management operations, ensuring accurate recipe entry and edits, formula optimization, material entry and extension, raw material approval, and T-changes/T-blends. The role provides technical and application support for core business, leads technical team members, and upholds high standards in safety and housekeeping.
Job Responsibilities
Material Management
- Perform accurate and timely recipe entry, edits, and maintenance in material management systems (e.g., SAP) for structural adhesive products.
- Perform lab cooks to optimize materials and processes for our core business products, including PF, MF, and UF resins.
- Handle material entry, extension, and updates for both new and existing materials.
- Oversee raw material entry, approval processes, and documentation.
- Coordinate and execute t-changes and t-blends in accordance with business unit needs.
- Maintain thorough records and documentation for compliance and traceability.
- Conduct comprehensive recipe reviews to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance with production standards.
- Respond to SO&E (Safety, Operations & Engineering) calls by providing timely technical guidance and troubleshooting support for plant operations.
- Drive process optimization initiatives, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance product quality through data analysis and collaboration with cross-functional teams.
- Manage and coordinate rework activities, ensuring that corrective actions are implemented effectively and documented according to quality protocols.
- Serve as the primary contact for batch-related inquiries, facilitating clear communication between production, technical, and quality teams to resolve issues and share best practices.
- Support incident investigations by gathering relevant data, conducting root cause analyses, and contributing to the development of corrective and preventive actions to mitigate future risks.
- Collaborate with plant personnel to monitor key quality metrics, implement continuous improvement projects, and uphold rigorous standards for safety, housekeeping, and regulatory compliance.
- Support the ability to meet relevant industry codes and standards applicable to structural wood product adhesives.
Safety and Housekeeping Duties
- Maintain a clean, organized, and hazard-free work environment at all times.
- Monitor and manage chemical inventories to ensure safe storage and handling.
- Follow established procedures for the disposal of chemical and hazardous waste.
- Report any unsafe conditions, incidents, or near-misses promptly to management.
- Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) as required by company policy.
Minimum Qualifications
- Strong knowledge of laboratory techniques, material management, and structural adhesives technology.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
- Proficient in data entry and computer systems (e.g., SAP, Microsoft Office Suite).
- Effective written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to follow detailed procedures and maintain accurate records.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand, walk, or move around the laboratory and manufacturing floor for extended periods.
- Capability to lift up to 50 lbs. with appropriate technique and assistance.
- Manual dexterity to handle laboratory equipment and materials safely.
- Willingness and ability to wear a respirator and other PPE as required.
- Visual acuity to read labels, measurements, and computer screens accurately.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree or higher in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related discipline.
- Familiarity with formaldehyde resins synthesis and characterizations through DSC, DMA, and Rheology.
- Experience in the adhesives, chemical, or materials industry, ideally supporting structural wood product applications.
- Hands-on experience with SAP or similar material management systems.
- Ability to support relevant industry codes and standards for structural wood product adhesives.
- Experience leading or mentoring technical teams.
- Knowledge of EH&S regulations relevant to chemical manufacturing and laboratory environments.