R&D Topcoating Formulator

  • Full-time

Company Description

Avery Dennison (NYSE: AVY) is a global leader in pressure-sensitive and functional materials and labeling solutions for the retail apparel market. The company’s applications and technologies are an integral part of products used in every major industry. With operations in more than 50 countries and more than 25,000 employees worldwide, Avery Dennison serves customers in the consumer packaging, graphical display, logistics, apparel, industrial and healthcare industries. Headquartered in Glendale, California, the company reported sales of $6.1 billion in 2016. Learn more at www.averydennison.com.

Job Description

Avery Dennison is seeking a topcoating formulator to join the Labels and Graphics Materials Group North America Research and Development team in Mentor, Ohio. In this role, the successful candidate will bring passion, determination and a sense of urgency to product development and innovation. As an topcoat formulator, this role will participate in cross-functional project teams to drive new product development from concept to commercialization, as well as cost reduction and business continuity efforts. This role will work closely with marketing, supply chain, operations and quality teams to ensure business success in a leading company where individual and team success are recognized and rewarded.

Within our execution-focused Mentor Innovation Center, this role will partner with product development leaders and research scientists to develop and optimize coatings for superior print performance in the narrow web label market.  Numerous analytical methods are at your fingertips. Deeply understanding the science of coatings is a top priority. The market is fast-paced, with internal and external customers pulling for new solutions. The result we are aiming for is an Avery Dennison product portfolio that is cost-effective, efficient in manufacturing and differentiated print performance across multiple print platforms.  The ideal person for this role thrives on inventing new and differentiated capabilities for commercialization, and has a passion for, and deep knowledge of, technology and product.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

 

  1. Formulate and develop coatings to support product development requirements; plan and execute laboratory and pilot scale research for the development of coatings and technical solutions that deliver the needed characteristics; translate needed characteristics into technical deliverables

  2. Support the introduction of new coatings into production and provide technical expertise to solve production issues; replicate manufacturing scenarios on a lab scale, support manufacturing and scale up

  3. Conduct technical comparisons of Avery Dennison products vs. competitive products

  4. Collaborate globally with product development leaders and validate Voice-of-Customer to commercialize products with superior performance

  5. Generate Intellectual Property leading to business results; perform literature and patent searches as needed

  6. Lead the technical development planning and milestones as an input to New Product Development (NPD) projects through the stage gate process; work collaboratively with cross functional team and guide decisions based on technical conclusions.  

  7. Conduct supplier visits and act as the raw material component expert; work with suppliers to identify the correct materials for the desired formulations

  8. Understand applications and the regulatory and compliance needs

  9. Improve the testing procedures for consistency and develop new test methods as needed; work with printing partners as needed

  10. Conduct experimental studies, communicate scientific approach, convey results with data.  Present technical analysis to support product approval and adoption through the Stage Gate process  

  11. Contribute and adhere to EHS standards and policies and connect to Avery Dennison’s 2025 Sustainability Goals

Qualifications

  1. Degree in Polymer Science, Chemistry, Coatings, Physics, Material Science, Organic Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or a comparable field (Masters and/or PhD preferred)

  2. 4+ years industrial experience in the development and formulation of coatings and in performance testing for various applications

  3. Knowledge of print techniques including Flexo and Digital inkjet  

  4. Experience with Stage Gate process.

  5. Understanding of coating materials using a variety of techniques including coating formulation.  Solid understanding of resins, binders, additives, etc. with an understanding of radiation cure technology and other unit operations such as mixing

  6. Able to characterize coating properties (both chemical and physical) and interpret results from related analytical techniques and other print surface testing instruments.  

  7. High level of chemistry competency relating to the surface tension/energy, rheology of polymers, chemical bonding and structure/property relationships

  8. Self-directed with the ability to manage multiple projects at one time with high accuracy and attention to detail

  9. Exceptional verbal and written communication skills

  10. Domestic travel up to 30% of time (some potential for Global travel)

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