Polyolefins Application Development Engineer

Company Overview for Formosa Plastics Corporation, U.S.A.

Founded in 1978, Formosa Plastics Corporation, U.S.A. (Formosa Plastics) is a growing, vertically-integrated supplier of plastic resins and petrochemicals. With annual revenues of more than $5 billion, we employ over 2,800 people who operate 20 production units in six business divisions - Olefins, Polyolefins, Vinyl, Specialty Polyvinyl Chloride, Chlor-Alkali, and Oil & Gas.

Formosa Plastics offers a full line of polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene and polypropylene resins, caustic soda and other petrochemicals that deliver the consistency, performance and quality that customers demand. We market our polypropylene and polyethylene resins under the Formolene® tradename; we market our suspension PVC and specialty (dispersion) PVC resins under the Formolon® tradename. We also produce and sell caustic soda, ethylene dichloride, commercial bleach and hydrochloric acid.

We are committed to supplying the highest quality products and services to our customers, providing a safe and healthy workplace for our employees and contributing to the quality of life in the communities where we operate. This commitment is made possible through our dedicated people, consistent products, continued protection of the environment and ongoing investments in new product development, quality control systems and safe, modern and energy-efficient production facilities.

Formosa Plastics is a privately held company headquartered in Livingston, New Jersey. Our core business, producing plastic resins and petrochemicals, takes place at three wholly-owned chemical manufacturing subsidiaries located in Delaware City, Delaware, Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Point Comfort, Texas.

I. POSITION OBJECTIVE

This position exists to identify industry trends for developing new or improved, innovative value-added end-use applications for polyolefin resins on various types of converting machines and providing effective assistance to customers and internal business groups to facilitate polyolefin resins sales and maintain competitive position. All while sustaining a working environment that meets environmental, health, safety regulations, and company requirements.

II. MAJOR AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY

Application and Technology Development: Develop and deliver new and improved products and applications promptly to generate value creation; improve the competitiveness of our product portfolio and product quality to meet customers’ needs, and work closely with customers to be a solution provider.

Lead and Facilitate the Fulfillment of Product Delivery and Commitments: React with expediency and accuracy to determine the root cause of customer problems and provide remote assistance to resolve them. Recommend improvements to product specifications and their quality measurement. Handle customer complaints utilizing customer analyses and retain samples and production histories; update progress regularly with sales and customers and make resolution recommendations. Service customer requests such as special analysis to retained samples, customer samples or finished products.

Product Application Support: Provide expertise targeted at improving and strengthening internal and external customer relationships to facilitate sales and business. Partner with Marketing and Sales team to recommend and approve materials for new markets, customers, and applications.

Research and provide input for intelligence on the competitive landscape.

Operations Support: Provide technical support to the Operating Units, which will enable the Unit to adhere to good manufacturing practices to achieve smooth consistency operation, manufacture high-quality products, and avoid unscheduled process interruptions. Act as liaison between customer needs and Operations and Product Development to ensure customer technical requirements are met.

THM: Promote cleanliness and order through the implementation of the Total House Keeping Maintenance program. Emphasize Nothing Touch Ground program and No Visual Pollution program. Maintain the plant in like new condition.

III. QUALIFICATIONS

A. TECHNICAL JOB CRITERIA

1. Previous Related Experience Required

A minimum of three (3) years of plastic processing, product/application development, and/or customer interface, preferably in polyolefins. A strong background in polymer chemistry/physics, structure- property relationships, polymer processing, additive formulations, analytical problem solving, and troubleshooting skills. Hands-on skills in plastic fabrication processing, such as injection molding, thermoforming, blow molding, pipe/film/fiber/sheet extrusions is desirable.

2. Technical Skills Required to Perform This Job

• Personal computer skills and applicable software.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Good business and technical writing capability.
• Demonstrate exceptional teamwork and customer service; behave professionally; treat others with respect and dignity.
• A strong background in polymer chemistry/physics, structure-property relationships, polymer processing, additive formulations, analytical problem solving, and troubleshooting skills.
• Hands-on skills in plastic fabrication processing, such as injection molding, thermoforming, blow molding, pipe/film/fiber/sheet extrusions.
• Ability to collect, organize, analyze, and interpret data from commercial plant operations.
• Self-driven work and work under objectives administration.
• Know how to prepare and give technical presentations for an audience of various technical backgrounds.

3. Education

Bachelor of Science degree from ABET- accredited universities in (specific engineering disciplines including, but not limited to Chemical, Plastics, Polymer/Material Sciences, Mechanical) required; B.S./M.S./Ph.D. Degree in Chemistry or a related field with 5 years of relevant experience may be considered.

4. Other Certification/Training Required

• Will require training in Company Policies and Procedures after hire.
• Current employees must meet all technical and safety training requirements for current position, as specified in the Master Training Plan.
• Other training as required by direct management.
• Attend professional conferences and seminars.
• Project administration capabilities and knowledge of Design of Experiments.
• Advanced training in fabrication processes such as injection molding, thermoforming, blow molding, pipe/film/fiber extrusions, etc.
• Technical sales skills training

Check Out Our Benefits

Health Coverage and Perks

Excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance plans

Flexible spending accounts for health, dependent care

Short-term Disability

Long-term Disability

Group Term Life, Dependent and

Supplemental Life Insurance

Tuition Reimbursement

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Work/Life Balance

10 Paid Holidays

Paid Time Off for a balanced life

(Vacation, Sick and Personal Time)

FlexTime Available

Competitive Compensation

Competitive salary, incentive/bonus, 401(k) plan with company match,

Cash Balance, Pension Plan