The ideal candidate has experience in industrial formulation R&D and process chemistry and enjoys solving real-world research and manufacturing challenges. Success in this role comes from balancing laboratory experimentation with production support while maintaining a strong focus on safety, organization, and continuous improvement.
This position is not primarily an analytical QC role and is not focused on academic research. Candidates seeking exclusively pharmaceutical research or university laboratory positions may find this role is not aligned with their career goals.
Position Description / Responsibilities
- Under the supervision of the Lab Manager, safely plan, develop, and execute R&D and commercial synthetic product development activities, including production-scale formulation and experimentation related to solid and liquid lures and/or dispensers.
- Lead the execution of strategically planned large-scale formulation work, including the development, optimization, and scale-up of synthetic chemical products, ensuring consistency, performance, and quality in commercial production.
- Safely perform and oversee small- to pilot-scale experiments as necessary, documenting procedures and results in a maintained lab notebook, supporting the R&D development, synthetic route evaluation (as applicable), and scale-up of liquid and solid products.
- Manage and maintain a comprehensive inventory of raw materials and production inputs used in R&D, commercial synthesis support, and production of adhesive carding, lures, and dispensers, including vendor information, CAS numbers, and coordinate purchasing of precursors and key intermediates.
- Lead investigations and troubleshoot variances in production batches, employing analytical instrumentation and techniques with minimal supervision, ensuring reliable scale-up and product consistency across both R&D and commercial manufacturing processes.
- Prepare timely reports summarizing key findings, experimental outcomes, and production metrics to communicate efficiently with the team, including R&D progress, process improvements, and commercial production performance data.
Qualifications and Skills
- Significant knowledge and understanding of analytical techniques, chemical process instrumentation, and laboratory-scale analytical methods supporting both R&D and production environments.
- Strong understanding of 5S methodology and lean laboratory/production practices, maintaining a clean, organized, safe, and efficient work environment that reduces waste and improves process reliability.
- Familiarity with or ability to develop competency in basic synthetic chemistry concepts relevant to commercial product development and raw material transformation pathways.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to clearly document experimental work, process changes, and production outcomes.
- Outstanding attention to detail with strong organizational skills, particularly in managing multi-stage formulation and process development workflows.
- Flexibility and willingness to adapt to a range of chemical, formulation, and process engineering challenges, including scale-up optimization and batch variability troubleshooting.
- Strong time management skills and ability to prioritize across parallel R&D and production demands.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively across R&D, production, and operations teams.
- Strong safety mindset with a demonstrated commitment to chemical handling safety, process safety, and production compliance standards.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, for data tracking, inventory management, and production reporting.
- Experience with polymer chemistry, polymeric materials, or controlled-release formulation systems through either industrial work or graduate-level research.
- Experience developing, evaluating, or optimizing formulations for laboratory or manufacturing applications.
- Understanding of formulation scale-up, process optimization, and manufacturing support is preferred.
- Industrial formulation R&D or process chemistry experience is strongly preferred.
Educational Requirements
- High School Diploma or equivalent required.
- Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related scientific field with 2+ years of industrial experience in formulation R&D, process chemistry, product development, or related manufacturing.
- OR Master's or Ph.D. in Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related scientific discipline. Candidates with advanced degrees and limited industrial experience are encouraged to apply if they have academic research experience involving polymer chemistry, polymeric materials, or formulation development.
Position Authority
N/A
Key Measurements / Accountability
- Accountability will be most measured in the areas of progress in critical R&D and production projects and the ability to multi-task smaller to larger pilot scale projects.
- Attitude and overall contribution to team performance as measured by efficiency, productivity, quality, safety, and work satisfaction.
- Communicates frequently, both written and verbal, accurately and with clarity.
Job Interface
- Position will interface with all chemical personnel and some Trécé employees or positions that the lab supports.
Travel
- The position may travel occasionally when outside consultation or training are needed.
Experience requirements
- Two (2) or more years of industrial experience in formulation R&D, process chemistry, product development, or a related chemical manufacturing environment is preferred.
- Candidates with a Master's or Ph.D. and relevant polymer chemistry research experience may be considered in lieu of industrial experience.
- Demonstrated ability to solve technical problems through laboratory experimentation, data analysis, and collaboration with production or manufacturing teams.
- Self-motivated, organized, and eager to learn new analytical techniques, instrumentation, and manufacturing processes.
Required Training
- With approval of the lab manager, develop and implement a personal growth plan focused on becoming educated on experimentation and instrumentation utilized in the above-mentioned job description.
Pay: $70,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for employment authorization?
- How many years of Industrial Chemistry Experience do you have?
- Do you have hands-on experience developing or manufacturing formulated chemical products (such as liquids, gels, adhesives, polymers, coatings, or controlled-release products)?
- Have you worked in an industrial manufacturing or production environment or have or will you complete an advanced degree in synthetic polymer chemistry and/or formulations?
- Do you have experience scaling formulations from laboratory to pilot or production scale?
- Have you used any analytical instrumentation? If yes, please list all that apply.
- Briefly list the types of chemical products or formulations you have worked with.
- Briefly list any manufacturing or project management responsibilities you have had.
- What is your highest degree, and how many years of industrial formulation R&D, process chemistry, or product development experience do you have?
Education:
Ability to Commute:
- Adair, OK 74330 (Required)
Work Location: In person
