Dura-Line Research & Development Manager in Clinton, TN at Orbia Advance Corporation in Clinton, Tennessee

Job Description:

At Dura-Line, we aspire to create a more connected world, because we believe every company, every community, every person deserves the chance to advance their lives through better access to high-speed broadband. We take pride in our state-of-the-art quality products and being recognized a key partner with all of the major telecommunications companies across the world. In one year, Dura-Line produced over 1.4 billion feet of digital network infrastructure. Dura-Line creates what connects us. Every time you pick up your cell phone, log into the internet, or use your i-anything, it’s because our HDPE pathways protect that delicate string of glass called a fiber optic cable that carries everything from precious pictures of your puppy to the latest sports scores. Your safety, health, family, work, entertainment…your whole life; that’s our connection.

Dura-Line creates what connects us. Every time you pick up your cell phone, log into the internet, or use your I-anything, it’s because our HDPE pathways protect that delicate string of glass called a fiber optic cable that carries everything from precious pictures of your puppy to the latest sports scores. Your safety, health, family, work, entertainment…your whole life; that’s our connection.

At Dura-Line, as a leading global manufacturer and distributor, we are transforming the structure of communication.  We rely on our passionate, empowered and committed teams to “Create what connects us.”

Dura-Line is hiring for an expert and innovative leader to be our Research & Development (R&D) New Product Development Materials Manager focusing on Polymers and Plastics to work in our R&D lab and manufacturing facility located in Clinton, TN. In this critical role, you will lead change towards continuous innovation, provide guidance to the R&D materials development team, lead Dura-Line materials development projects, and establish polymers continuous training program. You will be the primary point of contact for the global employees of Dura-Line and other business group, to provide solutions and guidance as needed that will help resolve customer complaints and plant processing issues.

You will oversee the materials research & development program and experiments, train & guide the formulation and analytical scientists, review guidelines of testing procedures for assessing new materials in both process & finished products, and investigate & develop new technologies for the consumption of recycled and reprocess materials to support Orbia’s sustainability goals. You must have good leadership and outstanding verbal and written communication skills to be able to coach, provide guidance, resolve issues, and transfer knowledge. We need a visionary and future-thinking individual to create and develop new solutions and products never invented before- INNOVATION IS KEY!

You will be responsible for the overall development of new products and material formulations, revolutions to existing formulations, and the improvements of procedures and specifications for new materials and products. You will collaborate with global cross-functional teams and ensure that the stage-gate process is applied to the project development and investigate improvements in the formulation capability of existing products identified.

You will work on exciting and challenging topics in an innovative and creative environment and provide technical leadership and direction to the lab tech, formulation, and analytical scientists on new product development- locally and globally. You will get a chance to plan for current development and new innovations to get your team “future ready”.  You will also be able to create or implement a process and manage the full product development process from idea to product creation: gather resources, complete testing, provide unique solutions, learn through trial and error, monitor trends, process documentation & standardization, while gathering new ideas & solutions from your team. 

We are looking for an experienced PhD graduate in Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, Plastics Engineering background and has a technical background in the manufacturing or production environment (not just lab/academy- need hands-on work experience).  You must be a subject matter expert in polymer science in an extrusion manufacturing environment (10+ years of extensive work experience in polymers and 5 years of chemistry experience).  You must have the technical understanding of customer end-use application processes and material requirements. Strong product development experience (including raw materials research & formulation of compounds) to make an impact. Do not forget to bring your expertise in polymer and chemistry research knowledge to incorporate current technologies in improving products and study the potential of new products.

We offer you empowerment, a competitive salary with bonus structure, an excellent benefits package, relocation assistance, and great career development opportunities!

Join Our Team: Dura-Line offers all its employees an exciting work environment and provides career opportunities in a continuously growing company. We are committed to attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse workforce that represents our global customer base. Check out our products, history, and testimonials at www.Dura-Line.com 

Dura-Line is part of a community of companies, known as Orbia, bound together by a shared purpose: to advance life around the world. Orbia’s business groups have a collective focus on insuring food security, reducing water scarcity, reinventing the future of cities and homes, connecting communities to data infrastructure, and expanding access to health and wellness with advanced materials. The business groups include Precision Agriculture, Building and Infrastructure, Fluor, Polymer Solutions, and Data Communications, which collectively pursue human centric solutions to global challenges.