Research Scientist - Analytical Group Leader Job

Job Dimensions

• Manages the Analytical Laboratory Team in Wauwatosa to provide technical support for BU R&D, manufacturing plants, and Bostik customers.
  • Manages expectations and performance (including safety performance) and develops the careers of subordinate personnel using Bostik's Performance Management process.
• Works within established safety guidelines, provides suggestions for process and safety improvements.
• Provides professional input on selection and purchasing of some analytical instrumentation and specialized analyses; responsible for maintenance and repair of some equipment.
• Provides input on workflow process and documentation for the Analytical Laboratory.
• Can effectively engage business and technical resources to interpret, solve, and communicate complex technical problems.

Key Technical Activities

• Maintains substantial technical role including project leadership, direct engagement in problem solving and analytical testing.
• Aligned to Bostik business needs, can develop, perform, and document analytical characterization methods.
• Development, execution, and documentation of calibration and verification procedures.
• Supports instrument maintenance and repair of analytical equipment through hands-on troubleshooting and/or coordinating with equipment vendors.

Key Leadership Activities

• Coordinates with Analytical management team on establishment of priorities and assignment of resources to incoming requests for analysis based on understanding of their relative importance and urgency.
• Supports development and execution of strategic research/resource plan for the Wauwatosa Analytical team to ensure alignment with business strategies and ability to support group needs, priorities, and growth (in coordination with Analytical management team and based on technical knowledge and understanding of business strategies within Bostik).
• Manages training and growth of a team of professional analysis. Builds goals and manages/documents formal performance reviews for direct reports (mid-year and annual).

Context and Environment

• Expertise and support for multiple chemistries/product families in multiple business units with independent aggressive business plans. Involves balancing resources between longer-term research projects and unpredictable and variable immediate technical crises.
• Communicating with multiple functions/geographies and a range of education and technical expertise.
• Must effectively support a collaborative team environment and coordinate with Bostik and Arkema analytical teams at other sites.

Purpose

• To support specialized testing capabilities for Bostik Americas, with coordination from other global analytical laboratories. This includes providing input on what techniques, equipment and resources are needed, acting as a resource in interaction with outside entities, growing a team of professionals, supporting a process for analytical testing in a safe manner and assuring that data is repeatable and technically sound.

Qualifications/Experience Required

• Minimum of a bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Material Science or related field (Masters or PhD preferred).
• Minimum of 5 years experience in an industrial laboratory or equivalent proven ability to manage multiple complex projects in a service laboratory.
• Strong verbal and communication skills with technical and business resources.
• Proven ability to lead/mentor a team of analysts.
• Experience in multiple polymer characterization techniques including rheological, thermal, chromatographic and spectral techniques for qualitative and quantitative analysis.
• Experience with adhesive and sealant chemistries, end uses, and formulations preferred.

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