Plastics Processing Technician (Bioplastics)

at  Ingevity

JOB FAMILY:

Sales and Business Development
Overview
Bold. Energetic. Ingenious. Genuine. These qualities best describe employees who work for Ingevity. We believe it takes extraordinary people to create extraordinary results.
At Ingevity, we harness the bold spirit, innate curiosity and remarkable ingenuity of our people to develop innovations that purify, protect and enhance the world around us. Our products enable oil to flow better, crops to grow fuller, roads last longer, and ensure that the air we all breathe is cleaner.
Already a leader in markets in which we compete, we leverage our deep technical expertise and knowledge of our customers’ industries to turn complex challenges into powerful possibilities and value-added solutions. We prize creativity and imagination and we’re always looking for a better, smarter way of doing things.
We know it takes the right people with the right attitude to achieve the improbable. People who understand that there is no challenge too big and no contribution too small. People with the ability to solve and the commitment to stay the course. People who work together to create meaningful impact and exponential results, for our customers and the world around us. Our people are our most valued asset, and the foundation of our success. Interested? We thought you might be, and we’re so glad!

ABOUT US

Ingevity provides specialty chemicals and high-performance carbon materials and technologies that purify, protect, and enhance the world around us. Through a team of talented and experienced people, Ingevity develops, manufactures, and brings to market products and processes that help customers solve complex problems. These products are used in a variety of demanding applications, including asphalt paving, oil exploration and production, agrochemicals, adhesives, lubricants, publication inks, and automotive components that reduce gasoline vapor emissions.
Headquartered in North Charleston, South Carolina, Ingevity operates from more than 31 locations around the world and employs approximately 1,700 people. But no matter where we’re doing business, we do things the right way – with a focus on integrity, sustainability, and positively contributing to the communities in which our employees live and work. The company is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: NGVT). For more information visit www.ingevity.com
The Advanced Polymer Technologies business is the market leader in Caprolactone and Polycaprolactone products globally. The business is geographically balanced. Our products go into a very diverse set of applications such as Polyurethane Materials, Adhesives & Sealants, Coatings, Polymer additives and Bioplastics that are used for end markets such as Industrial equipment, Automotive, Footwear, Consumer packaging, Electronic devices, Medical and Furniture. The performance characteristics of the Capa chemistry provides unique properties in our targeted end markets that allow both us and our customers to differentiate through innovative new products.

JOB SUMMARY

This position will suit a recent graduate with a degree, HND or HNC in a chemistry/engineering or technical discipline, or a professional with 2-3 years of experience in polymer processing. A degree is preferred but not essential if the candidate has experience in the related field. This position is principally lab-based to support the work of bioplastics applications development activities to deliver new products and develop technical information for product literature, marketing activities, and customer support.

KEY SKILLS

• Basic understanding of polymer/plastic processing

• Experience in laboratory scale work or processing environment

• Experience in operating extrusion and/or injection moulding are preferred but not essential
• Experience in mechanical or analytical equipment
• Knowledge in polymer degradation/biodegradation will be a bonus
• A passion for practical lab work
• Good organization, prioritization, and task management skills – scheduling of work
• Strong interpersonal and a can-do attitude
• Creative and collaborative mind-set with an open-minded attitude
• Report writing and presentation skills
• Be able to work effectively as part of a team and be comfortable using a wide range of IT systems

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Experience/knowledge in plastic/polymer

• Degree, HND or HNC in a chemistry/engineering or technical discipline

• Chemistry/engineering background or working experience in related fields
• Good communication skills
• Strong hands-on technical ability

• To prepare and characterize test samples from raw materials via injection moulding or extrusion. This will encompass both routine work and establishing method development studies.

• Generate and report data from analytical equipment such as FTIR, DSC, Tensile, Rheometer, DMA

• Participate in material preparation and design for the next generation of plastic/bioplastic
• Everyday work/maintenance of the plastic lab and equipment
• Follow the health and safety rules, and maintain good lab practice

What’s in it for you:

• A market-competitive salary
• Annual bonus (dependent on the grade of the role and discretionary on business performance).
• 27 days holiday, including bank holidays (increasing by 1 day every 5 years to a maximum of 32 days)
• A contributory Company Pension Plan
• Death in service benefit.
• Private Medical Insurance with access to a free confidential 24/7 GP Service
• Employee Assistance Programme, for you (and your family) with free access to legal services, medical services, and counseling.
• Career development opportunities - we are passionate about nurturing our internal talent, and offering career progression.
• Long service rewards
• Company sick pay scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme, Tech Scheme and Home Scheme
• Discounted Gift Card Scheme.
• On-site subsidized canteen.
• Weekly free fruit deliveries.
• Free employee onsite car park.
• Eye care vouchers.
• Regular well-being events.
• Volunteering opportunities in the local community.