Formulation Scientist - ITW Car Care

Founded in 1912, ITW (NYSE: ITW) is a global industrial company built around a differentiated and proprietary business model. The company’s seven industry-leading segments leverage the ITW Business Model to generate solid growth with best-in-class margins and returns in markets where highly innovative, customer-focused solutions are required. ITW’s approximately 45,000 dedicated colleagues around the world thrive in the company’s decentralized, entrepreneurial culture. In 2019, the company achieved revenues of $14.1 billion, with roughly half coming from outside North America.

The ideal candidate will bring a blend of technical and formulation expertise in aftermarket car care product development and strategy. Under the technical collaboration and/or direction of an R&D manager, the candidate will develop multiple projects in a fast-paced innovative environment. They are responsible for research, development, technical evaluation and stability testing of the formulations. This position requires a creative individual with a passion for technical learning and curiosity. The R&D Formulation Scientist will spend a minimum of 50% of their daily activity working at the lab bench to create new products and solve complex technical problems to support the ITW Global Brand’s business strategies.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Translates customer needs into effective product designs and customer-driven innovation strategies.
• Identifies, plans, recommends and completes major technical programs leading to innovative applications or extensions of existing and new technologies that have significant impact on the organization.
• Collaborate with various raw material suppliers to research and create differentiated formulas and coatings.
• Lead formula development and work closely with R&D Project Manager to deliver projects on-time via the new product introduction process.
• Innovate with polymers, silicone oil and its derivatives, surfactants, and solvents in adhesives and coatings to fulfill unmet customer/application needs for developing differentiated products and solutions. Knowledge of ISO practice/requirements for manufacturing scaleups will be added advantage.
• Manage technical aspects of assigned projects within ITW’s stage-gate process in conjunction with a project manager.  
• Clearly identify project goals, product design requirements, technical approach, test strategy, and conduct laboratory evaluations, comparison testing and issue final comprehensive reports.
• Conduct patent searches to monitor competitive innovations and generate intellectual property in own area of development in the form of patents, formulation know-how, and trade secrets.
• Support the scale-up of formulations from lab scale to mid- and full-size manufacturing batches.  Coordinate and work with internal departments on the technology transfer for scale-up, and commercialization, and determine the appropriate design and product specifications to maximize ease of manufacturing and customer applications.
• Provide short- and long-term support for current products to maintain ITW’s reputation for quality and performance by qualifying alternative sources of raw materials and validating performance.
• Manage multiple projects/tasks independently and as part of a team and fully utilize analytical laboratory equipment.
• Work hands-on in the laboratory, when necessary, and manage the daily activities of a research lab technician(s).
• Understand and stay abreast of important safety and regulatory requirements affecting this industry.
• Adhere to all safety, health, environmental, and quality policies and procedures.
• Minimal business travel required (< 10%)
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, or higher, in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering (completed or verified prior to start)
• Two to three (2-3) years’ experience formulation development.

Additional qualifications to help you succeed in the role

• Experience in inorganic and polymer surface modifications; knowledge of rubber surface coatings desired.
• Experience in physical/chemical characterization of surfaces. Knowledge of surface wetting / non-wetting phenomena, knowledge of silicone chemistry a plus.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced innovative environment.
• Ability to work independently and as a contributing team member.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and logical approach to solving scientific problems.
• Detail oriented, flexible, innovative and self-motivated.
• Must demonstrate ability to perform tasks correctly and consistently.
• Willing to collaborate and work in cross-functional teams to advance ideas and projects.

Strong communication, interpersonal and organizational skills are essential with the ability to clearly present ideas to a cross-functional team and manufacturing partners.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

ITW is an equal opportunity employer. We value our colleagues’ unique perspectives, experiences and ideas and create workplaces where everyone can develop their careers and perform to their full potential. 

As an equal employment opportunity employer, ITW is committed to equal employment opportunity and fair treatment for employees, beginning with the hiring process and continuing through all aspects of the employment relationship. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.  

ITW is an equal opportunity employer. We value our colleagues’ unique perspectives, experiences and ideas and create workplaces where everyone can develop their careers and perform to their full potential. 

As an equal employment opportunity employer, ITW is committed to equal employment opportunity and fair treatment for employees, beginning with the hiring process and continuing through all aspects of the employment relationship. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.  

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

ITW is an equal opportunity employer. We value our colleagues’ unique perspectives, experiences and ideas and create workplaces where everyone can develop their careers and perform to their full potential. 

As an equal employment opportunity employer, ITW is committed to equal employment opportunity and fair treatment for employees, beginning with the hiring process and continuing through all aspects of the employment relationship. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.