Primary Function: To operate in a team environment in the development of specialty plastic compounds while consistently being efficient, clean, safe and maintaining our high standard for quality.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Operate twin-screw and single-screw extrusion equipment and related systems to support rapid R&D development and first-time production runs.
- Support application development engineers and scientists on R&D projects through hands-on processing, testing, and evaluation.
- Interpret and execute project requirements based on development instructions and sales orders.
- Conduct designed experiments and perform material testing as directed by R&D and application development engineering teams.
- Perform physical, mechanical, and visual testing to evaluate material performance and product quality.
- Analyze test results and processing data to support development decisions and continuous improvement.
- Optimize process conditions and proactively identify and resolve issues during development and scale-up.
- Maintain accurate records and document all observations, test results, and process parameters during extrusion and molding.
- Manage and document projects and tasks effectively with minimal supervision.
- Communicate project progress, test findings, and recommendations with R&D, engineering, manufacturing, and sales teams.
- Recommend production processes and equipment for scale-up and support initial manufacturing runs as needed.
- Work independently with a self-directed approach while adapting to changing business needs.
- Collaborate with color formulators to achieve precise color matches, using colorimetry data to meet production specifications and tolerance standards.
- Maintain laboratory and processing equipment, including setup, operation, cleaning, and adherence to 6S standards.
- Ensure work areas meet company expectations for cleanliness, organization, and safety.
- Demonstrate a collaborative and open approach across all responsibilities.
Additional Duties and Responsibilities:
- Comply with all related company ISO requirements.
- Comply with all safety regulations and apply good judgment in safely performing all tasks.
- Other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibilities: None.
Qualifications:
- The ability to perform all duties and responsibilities satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Knowledge of Injection molding, twin screw compounding and profile extrusion preferred.
- Experience with polymers / plastics is a plus
- The perception is that customer satisfaction is the #1 priority with an excellent disposition in all personal interactions.
- Ability to apply problem-solving techniques in situations involving numerous variables.
Education and/or Experience: High School education or equivalent and a minimum of 2-5 years of experience in plastics industry or appropriate training, or
Mathematical Skills: Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions.
Language/Communication Skills:
- Ability to read, comprehend, and interpret directions, instructions, customer specifications, purchase orders, production documentation, quality system procedures, correspondence and memos, data sheets, brochures, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals, and MSDS sheets.
Computer Skills: Must be proficient using system programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Other Required Ability: Must have good reasoning ability as described below.
- Ability to apply common sense to carry instructions in written, oral, or diagram form.
- Ability to deal with problems involving several variables in standardized situations.
- Ability to perform all duties and responsibilities satisfactorily.
Certificates, Licenses, and/or Registrations: None.
Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
- Ability to frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
- Ability to work in an office environment and utilize business computers and supporting office equipment.
- Ability to sit or stand for 4 hours at a time.
Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee would encounter while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
- Normal exposure to moderate noise levels.
- General office Environment.
Travel Expectations: Little to no travel is needed for this role with the exception of training opportunities.
Telework Conditions: All remote work needs to be pre-approved on a case-by-case basis based on time in position, length of request and performance in role. The position is in office.
Pathogen Exposure Risk: Very Low.
Foster, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. We maintain a policy of non-discrimination in providing equal employment to all qualified employees and candidates regardless of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, genetic information, protected veteran’s status, or other legally protected classification in accordance with applicable state and local law.
