The R&D Product Development Specialist coordinates the proper application of current product and packaging technologies to specific customer needs and conducts product development and test programs in support of the company’s marketing and manufacturing efforts.  To do this, the person in this role will use materials knowledge and training to investigate structure-process-property relationships, develop processes for manufacturing readiness, and build new methods for testing next generation materials. This role enhances customer experience by partnering with marketing and sales to improve material performance and troubleshoot production issues.

• Collaborate in the development of new product lines, product line extensions and modifications of existing products to minimize customer problems and to assure maximum market penetration and profitability. Develops failure mode analysis and control plans.
• Assist in establishing a capability for product and materials testing, analysis and evaluation, including appropriate laboratory facilities and test equipment; define test programs and procedures for R&D programs. Assist with performing said methods.

• Interface with customers in support of sales opportunities to establish a clear understanding of the customers’ problems, to provide them with cost-effective solutions based on current and new technologies and capabilities, and to advise them in the proper application of the Company’s products.
• Train Sales/Marketing personnel and other technical personnel in product line technologies to promote the correct handling, manufacture and application of the Company’s products.
• Assist the VP of Innovation in development and recommendation of annual objectives, plans and budgets for research and product development activities.
• Assure that adequate records/documentation of technical information, formulas, process methods and standards are maintained.  Support patent action and cooperate with patent counsel in obtaining patent protection for the Company’s unique processes and products.

• Support Sales/Marketing personnel at customer sales calls/visits and at trade shows as required.
• Work with materials, manufacturing engineering, and operations to ensure effective transfer of new products/processes to commercial scale.
• Provide support to materials group in evaluating alternative raw materials and/or packaging films.
• Maintain technical liaison with key customers, laboratories and agencies to enhance the Company’s technical product match with market needs.
• Use a data-driven approach and design of experiments to drive continuous process improvements.
• Collaborate with manufacturing engineers to implement process changes, define root cause materials issues, and propose corrective actions.
• Prototype development (design, build, assembly, and test)
• Assure that adequate project management and records/documentation of technical information, formulas, process methods and standards are maintained.
• Support the establishment of a capability for in process finished goods testing and raw materials testing, analysis and evaluation; define test programs and procedures for newly developed processes and manufacturing methods.

• Bachelor’s degree in technical field such as Chemistry, Biology, Food Science, or Packaging Engineering
• 2-5 years of experience in product development, process development, and interface with market related manufacturing
• Knowledge of market related product development processes; Preferred experience developing technical packaging products or sorbents and managing material changes in pharma/ food markets
• Familiarity with various laboratory equipment including headspace analyzers, pH meters, conductivity meters, and bench top mixing equipment. 
• Demonstrated ability to work with customers on product development
• Strong project management skills with ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with and lead cross-functional teams 
• A creative and resourceful problem-solver, balancing speed and scientific rigor in a dynamic environment. A self-starter, who can work autonomously
• Have solid understanding of the fundamentals of materials science and polymer development
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

More About Filtration Group

Filtration Group is on a mission to make the world safer, healthier and more productive. With a passionate workforce, global footprint and world class engineering and manufacturing capabilities, we are driving innovation and developing solutions across a broad spectrum of applications in the fast-growing and rapidly-evolving global filtration industry. We are committed to maintaining an entrepreneurial culture built on a foundation of trust and in which our leaders exhibit a strong bias for action.   

The Company began in 2009 and has rapidly grown organically and through a thoughtful acquisition strategy to be a global leader in the highly attractive filtration industry. Filtration Group has the broadest portfolio of solutions in the industry and has had a particular focus on building a leading platform of solutions focused on the Life Sciences and Indoor Air Quality end markets which are rapidly growing in the current market environment. Filtration Group produces mission critical products with high replacement rates.  Over 80 percent of the Company’s revenue comes from replacement / consumable products, many of which are specified into customer’s products or processes.  With revenues over $2 billion, Filtration Group is consistently recognized as the fastest growing and one of the largest filtration businesses in the world and has a global footprint of 141 facilities in 28 countries. Filtration Group has over 10,000 employees who are united in their Mission to make the world safer, healthier and more productive.