R&D Scientist

at  WD40 COMPANY

Overview:
We are seeking a scientist to join our small team of R&D champions behind one of the world’s most identifiable brands, WD-40® Multi-Use Product. If you are passionate about chemistry and product commercialization this hands-on role provides the opportunity to make an impact. Essential to the role, is your ability to problem-solve and communicate in ways to inspire and align multiple stakeholders under a common vision.
This role is responsible for supporting the scientific efforts behind the brand strategies of the Americas business unit. You will conduct research to initiate, execute, and support product development and renovation of current brands, supporting internal business partners with technical product information. The successful candidate will be and an active member of the R&D team, traveling as needed (10-25%) to business meetings, trial productions, and field locations where scientific support and technical product education is needed to advance our sales efforts. Part of this role will also be to coordinate the support of in-house testing and product development in a laboratory environment, operating equipment and performing experiments as needed.
This role offers the flexibility of working a hybrid schedule in our Pine Brook NJ office.
Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. and should not require sponsorship now or in the future to legally work in the U.S.

Responsibilities:

• Designs project parameters and research plans, applying current scientific knowledge relevant to the project. This includes composing budgets, identifying milestones and decision points, contingency plans, flowcharts and timelines.
• Communicates and coordinates with internal & external partners to execute projects.
• Identifies new underlying principles, new formulae, novel methods and technical solutions to accomplish the Americas’ region commercial objectives.
• Provides technical support to all of the major functions of R&D.
• Presents verbal and written reports and presentations to various parties so that decisions can be effectively made.
• Visits and build relationship with external partners like chemical and component suppliers and packages.
• Contributes ideas towards improving R&D methods, adding to the scientific knowledge of the team and solving moderately complex scientific problems.
• Composes testing and research protocols in accordance with established R&D guidelines for products either in development or commercialized and requiring technical support; coordinates with outside laboratory facilities if required.
• Creates required documentation for product support activities and populates the necessary databases with such items as bills of material, testing procedures, manufacturing specifications, product performance criteria, etc.
• Performs literature searches, supplier searches and composes reports on the current state of science or technology for assigned topics.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, material science, physics, or related technical field. Master’s degree preferred, but not required.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in a similar role, or less if holding a Master’s degree in related field.
• Demonstrated ability to self-teach and develop higher levels of scientific skill and knowledge with general guidance.
• Excellent problem-solving and organization skills in order to effectively multi-task and prioritize tasks and deliverables.
• Ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with cross-functional teams, both internal and external.
• Experience, exposure, or knowledge of aerosol product design, quality, production or management is a plus.
• Ability to use computer applications and tools sufficient to perform the responsibilities (e.g. Office Suite and related tools).
• Ability to travel in the Americas (US, Canada, and Latin America) for 10-25%.

About Us:

• Designs project parameters and research plans, applying current scientific knowledge relevant to the project. This includes composing budgets, identifying milestones and decision points, contingency plans, flowcharts and timelines.
• Communicates and coordinates with internal & external partners to execute projects.
• Identifies new underlying principles, new formulae, novel methods and technical solutions to accomplish the Americas’ region commercial objectives.
• Provides technical support to all of the major functions of R&D.
• Presents verbal and written reports and presentations to various parties so that decisions can be effectively made.
• Visits and build relationship with external partners like chemical and component suppliers and packages.
• Contributes ideas towards improving R&D methods, adding to the scientific knowledge of the team and solving moderately complex scientific problems.
• Composes testing and research protocols in accordance with established R&D guidelines for products either in development or commercialized and requiring technical support; coordinates with outside laboratory facilities if required.
• Creates required documentation for product support activities and populates the necessary databases with such items as bills of material, testing procedures, manufacturing specifications, product performance criteria, etc.
• Performs literature searches, supplier searches and composes reports on the current state of science or technology for assigned topics