Lab Chemist

Company: Blue Star NBR
Location: Wytheville
Posted on: August 7, 2022

Job Description:

Blue Star NBR , a Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) chemical formulation and glove manufacturing company, is currently undergoing construction in Wytheville, VA. Blue Star NBR will be a fully integrated chemical facility using raw materials developed and formulated onsite to proudly supply American-made medical-grade NBR for use in the production of nitrile examination gloves.

Wytheville is ideally situated off I-77 and I-81 in Southwest Virginia. Residents and visitors find charm, beauty, history, a robost outdoor scene, a quaint downtown, and people who welcome you like you are family.

Position Description:

The R&D Chemist will be required to follow the recipes that are issued by the Technical Manager for batches of emulsion polymers for a new plant being constructed to help re-shore critical medical supplies. This includes an ability to manage, handle, and weigh hazardous raw materials for introduction to a pilot plant reactor. The pilot plant lab will analyze raw material and polymer samples for the pilot plant to support quality control and modification of recipe components or procedures. This individual will conduct and/or direct those sampling and testing procedures and will work to suggest corrective measures to ensure that the reactions progress on the prescribed program profiles.

The Lab Chemist may also be asked to direct sampling and testing in the main plant and will need to work proactively with operations staff to troubleshoot process deviations. This includes recipe-defined instructions for purification steps, discharging and preparing the product for distribution.

Responsibilities:

Accurately test raw materials or bulk finished goods using advanced qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis such as gas chromatography, UV/Vis spectroscopy, wet chemistry analysis, etc., to ensure compliance with established procedures

Analyze test data and decide the release of raw materials & bulk product into the manufacturing or packaging processes and decide the release of finished product to the market

Utilize professional judgment and team recommendations to decide proper resolution of out-of-specification issues, such as release of non-standard material or product based on historical trends, defining chemical/physical adjustment of bulk.

Provide direction, guidance, and assistance to the Processing Department for the resolution of out-of-specification issues.

Perform quality support testing on production lines through quality surveillance checks, challenge of defect detectors, and audits.

Work with main and pilot plant operations to improve manufacturing processes by performing comprehensive evaluation of processes, materials and equipment and identifying areas and methods of improvement

Test components of new processes in laboratory setting, and design pilot projects for next step of small-scale testing; supervise initial processes and make necessary adjustments

Understands and is knowledgeable in test methods (quality manual, control methods, internal work instructions and forms, etc.)

Perform administrative duties, including timely completion and filing of required paperwork, entry of results and decisions on appropriate IT systems

Fully supports and owns interdependent safety culture and works proactively to accomplish the safety mission

Supports ownership of the Quality and Environmental missions of the Plant

Knows, understands, and contributes to Blue Star NBR policies & guidelines and enforces them

Supervise and direct laboratory technicians and other personnel in conducting research and testing, placing and adjusting equipment and implementing process changes

Ensure good documentation practices are followed to ensure traceability

Develops, enforces, and adheres to the Chemical Hygiene Plan

Maintains appropriate records and complete necessary reports in a timely manner to ensure traceability of results and decisions.

Qualifications:

Required:

- Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Polymer Science, or equivalent.

- Minimum 3-5 years of practical experience, including internships, Co-ops, and/or undergraduate research.

- Proven record of creative and effective problem-solving in the area of manufacturing processes

- Knowledge of laboratory operations

- Strong communications, judgment, and coaching skills

- MS Office, instrumentation, and data software skills Strong aptitude for problem analysis, problem solving and critical thinking

- Strong organization and planning skills

- Adept in leading teams and working within teams of other Chemists and Technicians

- High standards of professional ethics, quality, environmental, and safety standards

Preferred:

Familiarity with polymerization processes

Project Management experience

Strong knowledge of operating as a PSM facility

PI185888123

Keywords: Blue Star NBR, Roanoke , Lab Chemist, Healthcare , Wytheville, Virginia