Assistant Chemist

Position: Assistant Chemist
Location: Derbyshire
Salary: £28k - £35k
Company/ Sector: Chemicals/ Polymers

The Role:
• To complete allocated product development tasks and projects to agreed timetable, standards and budgets, recording all events and data within the Project System.
• To ensure that the R&D laboratory functions effectively, meeting standards in respect of quality, health & safety and hygiene and that equipment is well maintained.
• To keep accurate and comprehensive records of all testing and research activities.
• To work to a weekly laboratory work plan for the product portfolio.
• To support Production with the transfer of a new product or a modified existing product from laboratory to production, investigating and resolving any areas of concern.
• To liaise with the Quality Manager about quality issues including specifications, production issues, non-conformances and any other QC matters on the associated product portfolio.
• To support the Senior Product Development Chemists and Quality Manager with the investigation of customer and supplier complaints. To help establish root causes and corrective action.
• To create and maintenance of associated PMC, PMF, PMI, BPF and BPI on the Company’s ERP software on matters of BOM, release criteria and attachments (COSHH and batch cards) for the associated product portfolio.
• To gather, compile and interpret data in order to contribute to project reports. To provide data and work activity updates for the Technical Manager’s monthly report.
• To liaise with customers and suppliers in relation to the product portfolio and represent the Company at meetings as required, striving to maintain the company’s competitive position and reputation for technical performance and quality.
• To liaise with all departments across the company about the product portfolio including sales, product engineering, production and quality.
• To ensure laboratory activity is within the Company Quality, H&S and Environmental policies.
• To keep up to date with changes in legislation, market trends and developments within their polymer market sectors, continuously seeking new potential opportunities and ideas.
• To develop own knowledge, experience and observations in order to contribute and make recommendations. To support and uphold the values of continuous improvement methods and activities.
• To develop an excellent understanding of the product range, its formulation and commercial applications.
• To work as a team within the R&D team providing cover and support to each other.

Requirements:
• Good general education to at least GCSE level including English and Maths
• Education to Degree level or above in chemistry (or equivalent)
• 2 + years experience within the industry
• 2 component polymer chemistry experience desirable
• Knowledge of either plastic packaging, films, thermoplastic, material science, polymers or adhesives
• Experience of working in a commercial laboratory including a range of testing techniques.
• An interest in product development and project management.
• IT skills to include Microsoft Office (Word, Excel), and use of databases
• Accurate, thorough and methodical approach to research
• Organised self-starter with good problem-solving ability
• Curiosity and a desire to learn and develop continuously.
• Good analysis, documentation and report writing skills
• Adaptable and flexible, a team player with a ‘can do’ attitude