Job Openings
Bellingham, WA
Formulating Chemist, Consumer Products
Bench top formulating position responsible for developing specialty paint, cleaning and surface care formulations in aerosol and non aerosol forms. This is a hands-on formulation role, requiring technical problem-solving abilities and knowledge of chemistry to create functional new product solutions. Products are consumer home care and home improvement products. In many cases, packaging components are critical to product performance, as in aerosol valves, actuators and in trigger sprays, and so on. Knowledge of and ability to specify such components is key to this position.
Essential Duites & Responsibilities
- Responsible for creating new formulas working from marketing objectives to arrive at competitive new product solutions
- Create and test formulations to evaluate performance
- Develop aerosol formulations formulating chemical solutions, specifying propellants and aerosol package components combinations
- Interfaces daily with Product Managers on new product development projects
- Researches new chemical solutions to meet formulation objectives. Acts as a technical resource for product development and product quality issues
- Troubleshoots quality issues and develops solutions, working with Quality Assurance department
- Collaborates with other off-site Chemists to co-develop formulas and products
- Establishes production specifications and standards
- Responsible for testing products, as well as reporting and interpreting results
- Authors product formulary manuals and aerosol packaging specifications
- Reviews and tests vendor-provided samples and provides feedback on needed changes
- Facilitates exchange of information between chemical and component vendors to identify and incorporate new technologies into products
- Reviews patents on competitive products and creates new formulations to avoid infringement and to maximize company intellectual property
- Provides periodic technical assistance for production department
- Participates in scale up and trial fills of new products at filling plants
- Monitors the first production(s) of new product formulations onsite at contract fillers and company owned filling plant(s)
- Works with product regulatory compliance manager to develop products considering current and future regulatory requirements
- Responsible for organizing and operating lab facility
- Reports to management on status of projects
- Responsible for maintaining relevant files and updating development databases
Travel Requirements
- Requires between 0 and 10 days per month. Averaging 3-5 days per month.
Supervisory Responsibilities
- Supervises one lab assistant
Eduacation/Experience
- Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) from four-year college or university and five to eight years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Communication
- Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common industry related journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to write reports and articles for publication that conforms to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to top management, clients, external groups, and/or boards of directors.
Reasoning and/or Critical Thinking Ability
- Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems. Work situations are vaguely defined, often unprecedented, and unique in character. Problems are very complex, abstract, conceptual, and long-term in nature. There is a continual requirement for strategic, innovative thought and synthesis of information as it pertains to work situations.
Computer Skills
- Demonstrated operating knowledge of computers. Intermediate level ability with Word, Excel and other required software programs.
Technical Skills
- Excellent writing, speaking and organizational skills
- Knowledge of VOC/MIR regulations
- Experience developing aerosol products is preferred
Physical Requirements and Work Environment
- This position requires the manual dexterity sufficient to operate phones, computers, and other office equipment. This person must communicate clearly using the English language to accurately convey information and be able to hear at normal speaking levels both in person and over the telephone. Vision correctable to 20/40 is required to review written materials
- Frequent exposure to potentially hazardous conditions that may result in threat of health and safety including extreme noise, traffic, inclement weather conditions, climbing and lifting (30 lbs.), chemicals and other hazardous materials, and machinery.
Interested candidates are encouraged to submit resume and cover letter including salary requirements to careers@homaxproducts.com or send to P.O. Box 5643, Bellingham, WA 98227. We offer a pleasant work environment with opportunities for professional growth, paid vacation, medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability insurance, 401-K with matching and profit sharing contributions. No calls, please.