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Form of workArkema has established itself as France’s leading chemical producer and a world leader in specialty chemicals and advanced materials. With annual sales of €8.8 billion and 20,000 people employed in some 55 countries, the Group pursues ambitious recruitment objectives both in France and around the world. Arkema offers diverse employment opportunities in 200 job functions and professions in four major fields: industrial, R&D, business, and support functions.
Reaching far beyond your discoveries!
Regarded as one of the world’s leading innovators, Arkema has made research one of the pillars of its strategy. For example by discovering new solutions to help reduce the weight of materials, hence cut down consumption. By developing innovative thermal insulation systems that can optimize the energy performance of buildings. Or by seeking new applications for its biosourced products at the service of greater sustainable development.
Innovative and durable solutions
Our high performance products have applications in wide-ranging areas, from new generation car batteries or telephones to recyclable wind turbine blades, from adhesives for the protective backsheets of solar panels to drinking water filtration systems, from running shoes and acrylic resins with no solvent and no volatile organic compound for 3D printing to molecular sieves for portable oxygen devices used by people suffering from respiratory failure… Joining Arkema means being part of a Group enjoying sustained growth that in little more than a decade has built up an exemplary achievement record, setting high ambitions for itself and for its employees. All our job opportunities are open to people with disabilities at equal merit or with equal skill levels.
This position reports to the Regional R&D Director, Fluorochemicals Americas. One or more Scientists, Chemists and/or Technicians will report to this position (team size – 4). In addition, the role will support global foam efforts for the Fluorochemicals business
This position leads the product development and support for the growing foam business for Blowing Agents, a very significant new growth opportunity for Arkema. In addition the role will also support any technology development for Thermal Management. R&D activities include formulation development, technical development with a growing customer base and technical service for existing customers. This position is a member of a multidisciplinary team focused primarily on developing and commercializing new or existing fluorinated products in new applications to support the business strategy as they transition to a specialty materials business.
Key Activities and responsibilities:
Safety 15%
- Embraces Arkema safety culture actively participates in departmental safety program; ensures safe laboratory operations; and the team utilizes all relevant safety processes.
Technical leadership 70%
- Works closely with the commercial team to develop priorities and action plans.
- Understands and promotes the science and technology of Arkema’s fluorochemical products, processes, and end-use applications
- Focused externally on customers and development partners to identify new market opportunities for Arkema’s processes and capabilities
- Interacts with customers to understand marketplace needs, identify key issues, and ensure critical to quality
performance criteria are understood
- Leads R&D projects aimed at developing technologies/new portfolio aligned with Arkema sustainability goals
- Leads R&D projects aimed at developing innovative uses for the existing and new portfolio based on unmet marketplace needs
- Coordinates, supports or leads, as applicable, projects with the commercial, process engineering, and manufacturing teams as well as with customers and development partners.
- Thinks creatively to solve problems using sound scientific principles
- Drives new product development including chemical synthesis and application development
- Designs and sets up laboratory equipment, analyzes results, and recommends courses of action based on the project timeline and available chemical land engineering information
- Participates in a stage gated project management process as team leader or stage mentor
- Develops networks with other Scientists and Engineers both within Arkema and externally to overcome issues, find solutions, and achieve objectives
- Collaborates with external partners to leverage technology
- Actively monitors the relevant scientific and patent literature
- Protects Arkema’s intellectual property and generates intellectual property when applicable
- Provides monthly and quarterly reports on the status and impact of key projects; presents work internally and externally
- Participates in regular international group meetings to ensure coordinated efforts regarding the foam platform
People leadership 15%
Responsible for management, development, and growth of direct reports
- Supports the site HES policy and complies with all regulatory and internal requirements
- Participates in HES activities provided by site management and Arkema Inc. (e.g., Behavioral Base Safety, Observations, Lab Inspections, etc.)
- Supports and promotes the reporting of all health, safety, environmental, near-miss, accident or injury incidents
- The technical activities that support this business are focused on R&D for new product and application development and technical support.
- New products and applications are expected to deliver increased profitability and sustainability; research is expected to deliver differentiated products and applications along with intellectual property.
- Position holder is directly responsible for their contributions and performance as well as that of any direct reports
- Some travel is required (<20%)
- Supports the site HES policy and complies with all regulatory and internal requirements
- Participates in HES activities provided by site management and Arkema Inc. (e.g., Behavioral Base Safety, Observations, Lab Inspections, etc.)
- Supports and promotes the reporting of all health, safety, environmental, near-miss, accident or injury incidents
- The technical activities that support this business are focused on R&D for new product and application development and technical support.
- New products and applications are expected to deliver increased profitability and sustainability; research is expected to deliver differentiated products and applications along with intellectual property.
- Position holder is directly responsible for their contributions and performance as well as that of any direct reports
Required Education/Qualifications /Work experience:
- PhD in Chemistry or related discipline
- Minimum of 8 years of industrial RD experience
- Background in physical or organic synthesis with an understanding of formulation chemistry
- Experience in safe handling of chemicals is required
- Knowledge of urethane chemistries highly preferred but not required
- Ability to manage multiple, complex projects simultaneously
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to tailor communications to level of audience
- Excellent problem-solving skills; encompassing Innovative Technical and Analytical approaches
- Strong interpersonal skills with a track record of collaboration, networking, and teamwork across international boundaries and with customers.
- Self-starting ability with exceptional time and project management skills
- Quickly gains technical credibility especially with customers
A designer of materials and innovative solutions, Arkema shapes materials and creates new uses that accelerate customer performance. Our balanced business portfolio spans high-performance materials, industrial specialties and coating solutions. Our globally recognized brands are ranked among the leaders in the markets we serve. Reporting annual sales of €8.8 billion ($10.4 billion USD) in 2018, we employ approximately 20,000 people worldwide and operate in close to 55 countries. We are committed to active engagement with all our stakeholders. Our research centers in North America, France and Asia concentrate on advances in bio-based products, new energies, water management, electronic solutions, lightweight materials and design, home efficiency and insulation.
Arkema Inc. provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Arkema Inc. complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence.
