Technical Service Representative

Company Overview

Grounded by a history that is deeply rooted in innovation, Hexion is a global employer committed to building and protecting the future by producing innovative performance materials. Our materials are the building blocks for critical industries, including construction, agriculture, energy, automotive, and infrastructure protection. Everywhere you look, you will find our materials and people at work to help customers make products that are stronger, safer, and cleaner. When you work for Hexion, you’ll join a team that is committed to operating safely and with integrity to build a more sustainable future for all, our associates, our customers, and the communities where we live and work. 

Position Overview

Based in Springfield, Oregon R&D laboratory, the technical service representative will support projects from an application and technical perspective targeting the North American Market for the Fire Safety and Structural/Performance Adhesives business units. This hands-on role will have responsibility leading and advising other technical team members, in addition to formulating, synthesizing, characterizing, and performing application testing of products. This role will provide manufacturing support and process optimization. 

Job Responsibilities

• Under the guidance of the NA Technical Leader; design, formulate and synthesize polymer products to support business initiatives. This includes coatings, emulsions, resins, as well as the associated hardeners, to meet application requirements and customer priorities.
• Conduct characterization and application testing (including analytical analysis and preparation and testing of wood products).
• Enter resin formulations, SDS information, etc. into SAP. 
• Ensure EH&S goals and targets are met and contribute to the EH&S culture of the business.
• Be a self-starter with the ability to work in a team project environment as well as manage independent projects.
• Work with North American production sites and Engineering to optimize product manufacture, which may include visits to manufacturing sites.
• Understands the product chemistry and customer process and leads the efforts in customizing the product solution to the benefit of the customer.
• Provides technical expertise to sales representatives, resellers and customers throughout the sales process.  Helps the customer maximize the benefits derived from the products/services provided.
• Assist sales/technical service with customer visits and field trials as needed.
• Keep accurate records and report results.

 
Safety and Housekeeping:

• Maintain a safe workplace and practices.
• Maintain a clean and orderly work area.
• Assist in maintaining chemical inventory and safety objectives.
• Conduct chemical waste disposal according to established practices. 

Minimum Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience working in industry in a role relevant to fire safety, burn testing, or coatings for fire protection 
• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Wood Science, or a Materials Science field 
• Ability to work travel domestically 35% of the time 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Team player with a strong work ethic.
• Ability to learn quickly new technical concepts or areas of technology.
• Strong computer skills with experience in Excel, Word, Powerpoint, Teams, Sharepoint.

Education Requirements:

• B.S. Degree in Chemistry, Engineering, Material Science or Wood Science or an equivalent combination of experience and education.  Science related fields preferably in Wood Science, Forestry or Chemistry. 

Physical Requirements of the job:

• Ability to work safely in Hexion and customer environments.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds on a regular basis. 
• Ability to wear a respirator and pass a respirator fit test. 

Percent of Travel:

• < 35%

Preferred Qualifications

• M.S. in polymer chemistry or material science.
• Minimum of 5 years’ directly related experience in a chemistry/wood science laboratory and/or wood related industry. 

Other

We are an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, minority status, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, status as a qualified individual with a disability or any characteristic protected by law.

In order to be considered for this position candidates are required to submit an application for employment through our career site, be at least 18 years of age, willing to take a drug test, submit to a background investigation as part of the selection process, as well as additional periodic background checks as required by the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) or regulations adopted by the department of Homeland Security or other regulatory agencies.

Candidates are required to have unrestricted authorization to work in the United States.

If currently an employee of the Company, you must have current satisfactory work performance and in most cases, have been in your current role for 18 months.

Disclaimer: We are not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms/employment agencies for this employment opportunity. Please, no phone calls or emails to any employee about this position. All resumes submitted by search firms/employment agencies to any employee of the Company via email, the Internet, or in any other form and/or method without a valid written search firm agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of the Company; no fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by the Company as a result of the unsolicited referral or through other means.