R&D Technician

What will you do?

The R&D Technician is responsible for supporting the Product Development organization in day-to-day activities that are associated with the creation, testing, assembly, packaging, collection, and consolidation of prototypes and/or standard products for line reviews, shows, and other sales opportunities. The R&D Technician is also responsible for the New Product Development (NPD) storage and fit-up area. This includes ensuring that samples of new products and/or items associated with the NPD projects are stored in an easily searchable and organized fashion.

What Does Westlake Dimex offer to employees?

• Competitive pay
• Quarterly and annual bonus programs
• Day 1 benefits:  Medical, dental, vision
• Life insurance and optional life and dependent insurance
• Short- and long-term disability
• Matching 401K with an annual retirement contribution
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Caregiver and Paternal Leave
• Scholarship program for dependents
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Exciting and dynamic work environment with plenty of opportunity for career growth
• and MORE!

See the details below and if this role sounds like a fit for you - don't hesitate, apply today!

SUMMARY

The R&D Technician is responsible for supporting the Product Development organization in day-to-day activities that are associated with the creation, testing, assembly, packaging, collection, and consolidation of prototypes and/or standard products for line reviews, shows, and other sales opportunities. The Product Development Technician I is also responsible for the NPD storage and fit-up area. This includes ensuring that samples of newly developed products and/or items that are associated with the NPD projects are stored in an easily searchable and organized fashion.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinate internal delivery of standard product and package for shipment to customers for sales bids and line reviews where our $0 order process is insufficient or requires NPD support.
• Coordinate/support new product sample prep & packaging for shipment to customers for sales bids and line reviews.
• Assemble prototype samples & packaging for internal review and/or testing under the guidance of the project managers or senior Product Development Technicians.
• Manage NPD storage area and inventory, keeping track of fixtures, gondolas, signage etc. as well as all items related to different NPD projects.  Manage stock of NPD samples held in NPD.
• Support and help oversee production trials for prototypes/samples with guidance from project managers.
• Support and help oversee lab request and/or directly conduct tests of product and prototypes as instructed by the project managers.
• Participate in weekly NPD meetings & design reviews as necessary.
• Provide product specification information to Marketing & Sales and populate buyer bid sheets with specifications as requested.
• Follow established procedures and recommend process improvement opportunities.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Familiarity with manufacturing and laboratory environments for retail and commercial customers.
• Experience managing multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated attention to detail and a strong bias towards making sure things are done right.

• Familiarity with MS Outlook and ability to work with MS Excel spreadsheets.
• Ability to conduct experiments, record data, and do simple mathematics.

Required Behavioral Skills

• Personal Leadership - Leads by envisioning the future, engaging others, energizing people, and enabling self and others to develop and execute plans to deliver strategy.
• Builds Partnerships - Identifies opportunities and takes action to build strategic relationships between one’s area and other areas, teams, departments, units, or organizations to help achieve business goals.
• Coaches - Provides timely guidance and feedback to help others strengthen specific knowledge/skill areas needed to accomplish a task or solve a problem.
• Contributes to Team Success - Actively participates as a member of a team to move the team toward the completion of goals.
• Gains Commitment - Uses appropriate interpersonal styles and techniques to gain acceptance of ideas or plans; modifies one’s own behavior to accommodate tasks, situations, and individuals involved.  Charisma to take on difficult issues and hold people accountable without being offensive.
• Initiates Action - Takes prompt action to accomplish objectives; takes action to achieve goals beyond what is required; is proactive.
• Work Standards - Sets high standards of performance for self and others; assumes responsibility and accountability for successfully completing assignments or tasks; self imposes standards of excellence rather than having standards imposed.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.  The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate as normally based in an office.  Some of the work may be required in the operating units which can require usage of required PPE including safety glasses, hearing protection, etc.  May also result in exposure to outside elements and may require usage of stairs. Travel including air travel or auto travel may occasionally be required.