Herbicide Formulation Chemist
Job Description
Reports To: Product Development Director
Direct Reports: None
Location: Pasadena, TX (Onsite)
ABOUT CSI
Control Solutions Inc. is a mid-sized, US-based, specialty chemical manufacturer with a long-standing tradition of providing effective and economical solutions to our customers in the Pest Control, Turf & Ornamental, Consumer Products and Professional Animal Health Care markets.
CSI is one of the fastest growing companies in the industry, and we are a subsidiary of ADAMA within the Consumer & Professional (C&P) Business Units, the 5th largest Agricultural Chemical company in the world! This thriving partnership enables us to not only offer the largest selection of products, but also to introduce innovative, differentiated products with combination chemistry and our exclusive access to the broadest array of active ingredients in the industry!
Job Summary
Actively conduct formulation development activities for herbicide formulations, with occasional work with insecticides and fungicides. This position applies broad formulation and active ingredient knowledge, implements formulation development plans and prioritizes formulation development investments for existing and new formulations for key product markets including: Professional Turf, Range & Pasture, Forestry, Aquatic, Transportation & Energy, Professional Pest Control and Consumer Products.
Duties and Responsibilities
Formulation Work (New and Existing Products):
- Leads new formulation development program designed to meet business objectives (generally 25+ projects annually)
- Maintains project timelines and effectively presents data on findings
- Develops, evaluates and proposes formulation related research initiatives intended to drive value creation
- Serves as the resident expert for herbicide chemistries, provides formulation development and technical understanding
- Formulates a wide variety of formulation types (including: SCs, ECs, CSs, ZCs, dry flowable, aerosols, granules, fertilizer granules, etc.)
- Support manufacturing processes on new formulations for scale up and production
- Perform and monitor storage & stability studies
- When required, due to regulation change or opportunity, perform product modification and associated manufacturing processes to keep pace with a changing marketplace
- Perform rheological measurements and other common test methods, such as pH, density, emulsion and particle size testing, used for formulation characterization
- Conduct formulation development by designing experimental plans based on the defined deliverables, esterifying, synthesizing microcapsules, milling or other product formulations as needed
- Produces high quality formulation samples in sufficient quantity for prototyping, field and regulatory testing
- Ensure technical information meets the highest scientific standards, and provides quality technical results, data interpretation and summarization to support and reinforce product positioning and business recommendations developed from these results
Cross - Functional Team Collaboration and Communication:
- Collaborate with cross functional teams to establish in new product development strategy, project definition and working timelines
- Interface with research, business, manufacturing, marketing, regulatory, and quality functions regarding project updates and product advancement
- Coordinate activities with the ADAMA global formulation and technical teams including production, quality and other technical resources
- Collaborate with Production and support with specific technical data required for successful scale up and pilot batches of new formulations
- Collaborate with local and off-site engineering to identify root causes and lead resolution of production issues
- Provide technical support as needed to quality, operations, and other departments
- In collaboration with purchasing, investigate and test new chemical and packaging materials
- Acts as a liaison with customers' technology groups and provide technical support including presentations to diverse audiences globally on an as needed basis
- In collaboration with the PD Analytical Chemist, provide technical data to support regulatory submission
Lab Safety, Hygiene and Maintenance:
- Develop and enforce all laboratory hygiene, safety, security, and housekeeping policies and procedures
- Alert Direct Manager of any needed repairs, equipment or resources
- Develop and maintain R&D data bases and inventory
- Maintain digital archive of lab batches, formulations, and formulation processes
- Maintain a detailed laboratory notebook for all projects
- Log and compile stability data into cohesive reports
Lab Budget Management:
- Responsible for managing lab supply budgets with direct management oversight
- Provide input for Capital Purchases as needed and for future expense planning
- Responsible for lab inventory management of supplies including formulation components, inerts, equipment, and active ingredients
Future-Forward Formulation Development Mindset:
- Maintain a consistent habit of conducting literature and patent searches and patent
- Prepare and apply new technologies to a wide variety of agrochemical formulations
- Keep abreast of industry trends, competitive information, and anticipate industry changes
Qualifications
- BS in Chemistry required, MS preferred
- 7-10+ years' experience in Formulation Lab
- Knowledge of domestic, acceptable inerts for our uses and markets
- Extensive experience and knowledge in chemistry (polymer and formulation) and materials science is essential
- Hands-on laboratory experience with formulation technology such as phenoxy chemistries, pyridines, esterification, colloids, coacervation, and crosslinking chemistry is preferred
- Basic understanding of how pesticides are used and applied and agronomic knowledge is preferred
- Ability to write clear scientific reports and effectively communicate results and recommendations to team members and collaborators
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, across functions, and external partners
- Ability to resolve key project hurdles
- Strong organizational, time management, prioritization, and decision-making skills
- Understanding of Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) requirements is beneficial, but not required
- PC skills (spreadsheet, word processing, presentations): Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Ability to manage projects independently
An essential element of Control Solutions, Inc. (CSI) culture is our commitment to diversity. CSI is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We consider applicants, and make all employment decisions, without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status. We are committed to recruiting and retaining the best talent in our industry.