Company Overview: NatureWorks is an advanced materials company offering a broad portfolio of renewably sourced polymers and chemicals to the packaging, polymers, fibers, and chemicals markets. With performance and economics that compete with oil-based plastics and fibers, naturally advanced Ingeo polymers are valued for their unique functional properties and are used in consumer products from coffee capsules and electronics to diapers and wipes. and in larger applications like 3D printing materials.
NatureWorks is jointly owned by Cargill and Thailand's largest, and ASEAN's leading, integrated petrochemical and refining company, PTT Global Chemical.
Job Family Overview: Within the Growth Team, the Technology family is responsible for creating value through scientific research, product/process development, and applications related to the chemical, biological and physical nature of naturally abundant resources in support of business strategies. Identifies concepts for new projects, designs and develops methodology and trials, conducts the trials, analyzes and measures results, communicates the project conclusions, and provides training for internal clients and external customers. Includes supporting technical services and regulatory functions to deliver technology to the external customer or internal clients in support of business strategies.
POSITION PURPOSE: The
Application Development Engineer is responsible for technical support and technical marketing to engage customers, influencers and brand owners to grow our market share in current markets, and introduce new products for markets. This position will work closely with the Product Development and Commercial Teams to execute strategies and tactics to grow NatureWorks business and create distinctive value in the marketplace.
The Application Development Engineer will provide the critical link between customers and NatureWorks' other technologists in the team and business developers. Scope ranges across processing support and troubleshooting of existing customer products, modifying existing products to meet new customer needs, defining new product applications and performance requirements, and providing technical support to new customers during the introduction of new products. Applications Development will focus on the engagement, alignment, and execution of product development and business strategies while leading overall technical issues related to application developments.
In this role, the employee must work closely with customers to ensure existing products are running smoothly and to position new products and technologies. This includes possessing interpersonal skills and organizational intuition to successfully interface at multiple levels and functions within the customer's organization. This also includes travel to production trials with customers and manufacturing and business meetings in partnership with a business developer. Finally, this also requires excellent communication with stakeholders in business development, marketing communications, other technologists , manufacturing, production planning, product regulatory services, other functions and the leadership team as appropriate.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:Technical Application Support (35%) - Provides technical application support and customer service, collaborating with the sales and marketing teams to address identified needs and ensuring alignment
- Oversees the technical and project management interface with customers, including key commercial contacts within a given customer's supply chain
- Analyzes product/process shortcomings, advises on product specifications, ensures product quality, and interacts with Technology Development to drive innovative advancements
Technology Development (35%) - Contributes to the development of new products, leads field-based projects to meet technology milestones and commercialization goals, and tracks competitive technology and market opportunities.
- Leads technical training programs and presentations for customers and internal teams, while providing application testing and technical support for new product launches
- Collaborates with cross-functional teams to provide expertise in polymer structure-process-property relationships, ensuring technical solutions align with commercial needs and drive new applications and business growth.
Business Strategy Development & Implementation (25%) - Partners with Commercial Leaders to ensure alignment with the company's global strategy, providing technical expertise to drive new business and implementing new product market introductions
- Coordinates development and application programs across regions, ensuring consistent application technology and leveraging global developments, while identifying market trends that align with business strategy
- Procures opportunity data from customers to estimate volume forecasts, pricing targets, and performance requirements.
Environmental, Health & Safety Leadership (5%) - Operates safely within NatureWorks policies, procedures and governmental regulations and fully participates in and champions NatureWorks Environmental, Health & Safety (EH&S) Programs
- Ensures the EH&S Programs are being followed and provides a safe working environment for our employees and customers
- Accountable for building a strong safety culture and actively pursues it daily; identifies unsafe behaviors, conditions, and intervenes to mitigate incidents
Qualifications: Education and Experience Required:
- Bachelor's degree from four-year college or university in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Plastics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
- 7+ years' experience in product development or technical service, working directly with external customers for product conversion support, experimental trials, etc.
- Highly skilled and experienced in polymer formulation, characterization, and extrusion of polyester and polyolefin materials
- Strong customer focus and service orientation with the ability to interact effectively with employees and vendors at all levels in a cross-cultural setting
Education and Experience Preferred:
- Master's degree in engineering or equivalent related area
- Plastics processing experience in three or more of the following areas: sheet and film extrusion, fiber & nonwovens spinning and spunbond, thermoforming, extrusion coating and lamination, compounding, injection molding, and 3D printing
- Influencing polymer properties (polymer/processing/properties) such as impact modification, crystallization, orientation/stretching, and additive/masterbatch technologies with resins such as PET, cPET, PS, PE and/or PP
- Knowledge and experience of sales, customer development and development and implementation of sales strategies
- Experience working on a multi-functional team, including sales and technology
Other (knowledge, skills, and abilities):
- Troubleshooting of plastics processing; cause/effect understanding of polymer/processing/properties
- Develops customer relationships and trust through technical knowledge and expertise
- Effective technical communication across business fields and expertise levels
- Represents NatureWorks and coordinates interactions with customers in multiple product markets
- Adept at data analysis; utilizes knowledge of various analytical techniques and data: i.e. DSC, TGA, GPC, DMA, DMS, MFI, etc.
- Entrepreneurial attitude and approach - must be able to access the problem, quantify the need, work independently, and implement quickly
- Experience with and participation in driving tactical responses to shifting market dynamics
- Competitive mindset with track record of performance, particularly in contribution to sales
- Demonstrated track record in taking initiative and a strong desire and capability to learn new skills
- Provides support to the Manufacturing function
- Provides or supports project management activities such as requirements identification, time & scheduling management, and material procurement & shipping
- Proficient in English, both verbal and written
- Proficient in various computer programs such as Microsoft Office
Working Conditions / Physical Requirements:
- Requires use of office equipment such as computers, telephones/headsets, and copiers
- Required sitting and computer-related activities for extended periods of time
- Able to work in a production environment for up to 8 hr. Will follow Company safety and ergonomic guidelines to avoid injury
- The ideal candidate should be open to traveling 35-50% of the time. Most travel will be within North America, with occasional international trips. On average, travel will take place one or two times a month, lasting up to one week at a time in support of customer trials.
- Travel for customer trial support may present challenges, including language barriers, time zone differences, limited access to remote technical support, variability in local equipment quality, and a lack of on-site analytical tools.
Compensation and Benefits This is a full-time . click apply for full job details