Technical Service Specialist Sr - Energy Curable

Description BASF is the world's leading chemical company. We offer intelligent solutions based on innovative products and tailor-made services. We create opportunities for success through trusted and reliable partnerships. BASF Corporation, headquartered in New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF employs more than 15,000 in North America and had sales of approximately $17.5 billion in 2008. BASF is the world’s leading chemical company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products and fine chemicals to oil and gas. As a reliable partner to virtually all industries, BASF’s high-value products and intelligent system solutions help its customers to be more successful. BASF develops new technologies and uses them to meet the challenges of the future and open up additional market opportunities. It combines economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility, thus contributing to a better future. BASF has approximately 97,000 employees and posted sales of €62 billion (approximately $91.6 billion) in 2008. At BASF Corporation, we value the differences in our workforce as they are key to the success of our business and to the achievement of our status as "partner of choice." Consistent with our values, BASF has an inclusive environment that promotes respect and dignity for all in the work place. BASF is proud to be an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. This position has primary responsibilities within the Printing and Packaging technical service team for (i) solve technical problems regarding the Energy Curable resins and photoinitiators product lines.  This involves close customer interaction and carrying out individual laboratory activities (ii) develops formulations and applications for our customers (iii) work closely with research groups for the development projects.
 

• Use strong customer focus and interaction skills to;
• Provide timely technical support for our key customers, including:
• Phone support based on a solid understanding of the BASF Resins product lines and the printing industry technology - same day response to customers
• Complete laboratory work to solve customer problems, adhere to company safety standards
• Design and optimize formulations for use in customer applications.
• Design and optimize reliable, repeatable test methods
• Develop trusting relationships with our customers
• Understand our customer's problems and unmet needs - create solutions for these needs.  Demonstrates a relentless curiosity about customer activities; what customers are doing, why they are doing it, and what they are buying
• Utilize the full extent of the BASF capabilities to solve customer problems.
• Make strong use of scientific method, critical thinking and statistical approaches to design experiments and analyze the results.
• Contribute to organizational learning using timely communication including project updates, technical, trials, trip and call reports.
• Maintain laboratory notebook consistent with company policy
• Participate in company patent processes
• Identify and communicate opportunities to Manager for studies to gain deeper understanding of impactful, underlying technical service problems
• Interact with Marketing and R&D groups to develop long term product and application needs
• Interact closely with the sales team and distributors to solve specific customer problems, identify and communicate new opportunities

  
This position requires individual with project management skills and ability to work independently.  This role will require customer visit travel, approximately 20% of the time, mainly domestic.
 

Internal and external relationships (nature and frequency)

• Incumbent will have daily contact with customers, sales force and distributors
• Incumbent will have constant interactions within teams with R&D, operations, pilot plant and engineering functions
• Incumbent will have daily contact with marketing - for example regarding price points,

 

Requirements MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Bachelors Degree in either Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, Polymer Engineering, Material Science with at least 10 years of experience in a technical service, product development or applications role.
Problem solving experience within the Printing, Resins, Graphic Arts, Packaging, Pigments, Coatings and/or converting/formulator industry.
This position requires a superior sense of urgency and responsiveness to provide technical solutions for our customers.
 
PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:
Master Degree in Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, Polymer Engineering, Material Science with 10 years experience in a technical service, product development or applications role.