Technical Leader - Plastics

CPS, Inc.; Johnson City (TN); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

M/D/V/401K

Job summary

CPS, Inc. is seeking a Technical Service Specialist - Thermoplastics to lead injection molded durable goods applications in its Specialty Plastics division.

You will drive technology adoption, support commercialization, and collaborate across Sales, Marketing, Product Management, R&D, Manufacturing, and Quality to accelerate growth. Ideal candidates have a PhD or Master’s in materials/engineering with 10+ years in the field; or BS with 20+ years experience.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s degree in Materials Science or Engineering, Polymer Science and related field with 10+ years of industry experience; BS with 20+ years considered.
• Extensive experience with injection molding processes, processing optimization, and commercialization of molded products.
• Demonstrated expertise in polymers, plastics, material selection, and application development for commercial markets.
• Experience with DOE, structured problem solving, root cause analysis, and technical troubleshooting methodologies.
• Direct customer contact experience is required, including product trials and launches at customer facilities.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical leader for injection molded durable goods applications within the Specialty Plastics business.
• Support global and regional business strategies through application-focused technology leadership and customer engagement.
• Develop deep technical relationships across value-chain customers and industry influencers.
• Partner with commercial teams to position technologies and differentiate offerings through application expertise and value creation.
• Identify market trends and opportunities to drive future business growth.

Skills

Injection molding expertise

Polymer science

Customer engagement

DOE/experimental design

Root cause analysis

Technical communication

Education

PhD or Master’s in Materials Science or Engineering / Polymer Science

BS with 20+ years of experience

Job description

Technical Service Specialist - Thermoplastics

Leading specialty chemical company is looking for an experienced polymer scientist to serve as Technical Service Leader in their plastic resins division. If you have expertise thermoplastic resin chemistry, applications knowledge in injection molding, this could be a great opportunity for you! Company offers excellent benefits with competitive pay and full relocation assistance; great opportunities for growth!

The Technical Leader serves as the primary technical authority supporting global and regional business strategies for their Specialty Plastics business, with a strong focus on injection molded durable goods applications. This role is responsible for driving technology adoption, enabling commercialization, supporting strategic growth initiatives, and delivering world-class technical service and development across the value chain.

The leader develops and maintains deep technical relationships with downstream customers and industry partners while collaborating closely with Sales, Marketing, Product Management, R&D, Manufacturing, and Quality organizations. Through advanced expertise in polymer science, injection molding, application development, and commercialization, this role helps accelerate innovation, protect existing business, and identify new growth opportunities that strengthen their market position. This role is located on site, at our headquarters.

Technology Leadership and Business Development

• Serve as the technical leader for injection molded durable goods applications within the Specialty Plastics business.
• Support execution of global and regional business strategies through application-focused technology leadership and customer engagement.
• Develop and maintain deep technical relationships across the value‑chain customers and industry influencers.
• Partner with commercial teams to position their technologies and differentiate product offerings through application expertise and technical value creation.
• Identify emerging market trends, unmet customer needs, and technology opportunities to drive future business growth.

Customer Engagement and Commercialization

• Engage proactively with customers to drive solution adoption and accelerate commercialization opportunities.
• Support opportunity management processes by prioritizing, tracking, and advancing new business, growth, and project opportunities.
• Utilize consultative selling and value-based communication techniques to effectively demonstrate technical and commercial benefits.
• Translate customer requirements into actionable development activities that enable business growth and market expansion.

Technical Problem Solving and Development

• Serve as the subject matter expert in injection molding processes and polymer application development.
• Lead resolution of complex technical challenges involving product performance, processing, application failures, and customer concerns.
• Conduct root cause investigations, failure analyses, process optimization activities, and implementation support to ensure sustainable solutions.
• Design, execute, and interpret laboratory, pilot, and field validation trials to support product adoption and commercialization.
• Translate technical findings into scalable recommendations, specifications, and best practices that improve customer success.

Industry Leadership and External Engagement

• Represent the company as a senior technical expert during customer visits, audits, technical reviews, and commercialization discussions.
• Deliver customer training programs, technical seminars, conference presentations, and industry workshops.
• Develop and maintain strong external networks that enhance their technical reputation and market influence.

Salary

$140,000 - $180,000

Benefits

• M/D/V/401K

Technical Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s degree (in Materials Science or Engineering, Polymer Science and / or Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, or related field) and 10+ years industry experience. BS level candidates with 20+ years of experience will also be considered for this position.
• Extensive experience with injection molding processes, processing optimization, and commercialization of molded products. Durable goods application experience is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in polymers, plastics, material selection, and application development within commercial markets.
• Experience with Design of Experiments (DOE), structured problem solving, root cause analysis, and technical troubleshooting methodologies.
• Direct customer contact experience is required for this role, including experience with product trials and launches at customer facilities.

JO: 69.26DH