R&D Formulation Chemist

Summary: The R&D Formulation Chemist is responsible for formulating innovative and competitive products for the automotive appearance, detailing, and restoration industry. This role leads new product development from concept through production scale-up, working cross-functionally with Quality, Sales, Marketing, and Operations to exceed customer expectations and respond to requests for new and improved products.

Responsibilities: Specific duties are intended to describe activities that support the summary above. The list is not all inclusive – other duties may be required to cover the breadth and depth of the position.

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• Develop and perform all formulation requirements including new and innovative product research, raw material research and sourcing, formulation development, product efficacy studies, lab-scale production, stability studies, manufacturing protocol development, specification creation, and production scale-up activities.
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• Work directly with Quality to develop product specifications and test methods; ensure formulations meet all internal quality standards prior to release.
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• Work directly with contract customers to develop new products and oversee successful production scale-up, ensuring customer requirements are met at every stage.
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• Evaluate new and alternative raw materials for functionality, stability, regulatory compliance, and cost reduction opportunities.
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• Identify and investigate product improvement possibilities in conjunction with Sales and Marketing efforts; translate market needs into viable formulation concepts.
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• Research current and proposed raw materials with respect to state, national, and international safety and health regulations; identify and address areas where formulas may require modification for compliance.
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• Maintain detailed laboratory notebooks and associated project files; communicate project status, findings, and recommendations to appropriate stakeholders in a timely manner.
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• Provide data and technical recommendations to support GHS Safety Data Sheet (SDS) development and maintenance.
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• Develop a working knowledge of all Malco product lines and provide technical assistance to Sales, Marketing, Quality Control, and other departments as needed.
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• Participate on cross-functional Quality Improvement Teams (QIT) and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.
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• Perform complaint investigations; analyze reported product issues, identify root cause, and recommend corrective actions.
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Education: Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, or a related science discipline required. Advanced degree preferred.

Experience / Requirements:

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• 7+ years of new product formulation experience, preferably in consumer products and/or the automotive detailing industry including compounds, polishes, waxes, tire dressings, and car wash products
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• Demonstrated experience with stability studies, efficacy testing, and production scale-up in a laboratory or manufacturing environment
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• Familiarity with GHS/SDS requirements and chemical safety and health regulations at state, national, and international levels
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• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to clearly present technical findings to both scientific and non-scientific audiences
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• Strong organizational and time management skills; ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
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• Experience in a manufacturing environment preferred; ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a cross-functional team
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• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook); experience with laboratory information management systems a plus
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