Junior R&D Technician

Description Purpose The Junior Research & Development Technician supports new product development initiatives while building foundational laboratory and formulation skills under the guidance of experienced team members. This role conducts routine performance testing on competitive product samples submitted by the Brand team, lab samples for internally developed formulas, and vendor submissions for iLoveToCreate consideration. In addition, this position provides status updates and completes technical development documents capturing key findings.

Position Accountable for the following Key Results

• Perform key job duties while upholding the Company's Mission & Guiding Principles.
• Assist with new proprietary craft product formulation, testing, and documentation consistent with company strategic objectives and Sales & Marketing plans.
• Learn and apply foundational formulation principles for paints, adhesives, dyes, and other products under guidance.
• Build a practical understanding of craft products and their underlying technologies.
• Use formulation spreadsheets and other tools, with direction, to support development of quality products that meet consumer needs and profit targets.
• Conduct standardized evaluations of iLTC and competitor paint, dye, adhesive, and other products to document physical properties and performance capabilities.
• Support evaluations of raw materials for new product development and existing product reformulation.
• Compile and report test data using the Technical Development Objective format.
• Maintain assigned Technical Development Objective records and communicate progress to the R&D team.
• Review and communicate testing documentation with guidance from senior team members.
• All other duties as assigned in support of the future growth and success of iLoveToCreate.
• Due to business needs, this job profile is subject to change with/without advance notice.

TALENT PROFILE

• Foundational technical aptitude
• Developing problem-solving skills
• Curiosity and desire to learn
• Clear verbal and written communication skills
• Goal oriented, dependable, and receptive to coaching

Behaviors and personal attributes

• Good decision maker
• Effective planning and time management
• Ability to multi-task
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Team player
• Clean and organized
• Desire to complete all assigned goals and projects
• Ability to work successfully both independently and in a team setting
• Interest in crafting/craft industry desirable

Requirements Education and/or experience

• Bachelor of Science in Chemistry or a related field, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and laboratory experience
• Coursework, internship, or up to one year of experience in a laboratory setting preferred
• Exposure to coating, adhesive, dye, or other formulation work is helpful but not required

COMPUTER SOFTWARE AND/OR EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, MACHINES

• Microsoft Office - Word, Excel, Outlook, Access, Teams
• G Suite
• Workfront
• Infor/L
• Lab balance, cowles mixer, viscometer, pH meter, microscope, lap shear, spectrophotometer, UV/condensation, oven, freezer, and others as needed

Training Requirements

• Craft product orientation
• Laboratory equipment training
• TDO process
• Product evaluation
• Product formulation

Physical demands While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and reach above/below shoulder level.

Occasionally required to lift/carry/push up to 40 lbs., repetitively use both hands/arms/shoulders, forward bending/stooping, and light grasping and fine dexterity of both hands—the ability to participate in a team lift for any lifting necessary over 40 lbs.