Product Chemist - Associate - Buffalo, NY

Entity:  Consumer Products Services Division (CPSD)

Department:  Operations

Location: Buffalo, New York

Reports to (job): Supervisor

Ø Position Summary

Provide technical support to internal and external clients through physical and analytical testing/consultation.  Conduct laboratory testing on consumer products to evaluate samples on own merit, comparison studies and/or national/international regulations.  Provide technical consultation to clients regarding test data, product regulations/requirements and product development.

Ø Objective

Provide proactive assistance to clients by identifying and resolving product issues, along with providing timely and accurate test results and information to both internal and external clients that meet or exceed their expectations.

Ø Major Roles & Responsibilities

• Offer problem resolution, as applicable, for any client issues identified, highlighted or questioned with the aim of enhancing client satisfaction and improving client relations.
• Understand and interpret standards for appropriate test methods, providing direction to staff and client, as required.
• Reviews contract requirements prior to testing in order to assure adherence to client requirements and/or coordinates testing between labs (As applicable per lab practices).
• Evaluate products submitted for testing for quality / safety issues, providing direction to staff, as required.  Conduct limited research for new testing services and standards.
• Prepare a variety of samples for testing using prescribed testing methods following testing standards / specifications, as required, as complexity warrants (As applicable per lab practices).
• Conducts testing or analyzes a variety of consumer products samples for basic bench analysis and analytical instrumentation using prescribed testing methods following testing standards / specifications appropriate to the sample, as required, as complexity warrants.
• Follows the guidelines set forth in the Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services, Inc Quality Manual and Safety procedures applicable to site.
• Accurately record test data.
• Evaluate test results data, as required.  Provide direction to clients relating to other BV lab information, as applicable.
• Train temporary employees on sample preparation method, as required.
• Assist with department testing in other areas, providing direction to techs, as required and applicable to site.

• Prepares and reviews written technical reports and invoices, as required and applicable.
• Perform final review and interpret data / reports, providing direction, as required.   Perform critical error review.  (As applicable per lab practices).
• Organizes and monitors workload to meet or exceed laboratory turn around time and client expectations.
• Prepares written communication to internal and external clients regarding administrative and technical issues, providing direction as needed.
• Interface with staff members internally and at other locations on interpretations and to ensure global consistency, providing direction to staff, as needed.
• Write, train, implement and update lab procedures, test protocols, and technical procedures, providing direction as needed.
• Calibrate, operate, and maintain testing equipment, maintain supplies, lab cleanliness and analytical instrumentation, as required.
• Identify, troubleshoot and resolve technical issues, providing direction to other lab personnel.
• Maintains up to date knowledge of current regulations and products to be tested.
• Make recommendations to clients for testing and inspections in a limited scope.
• Provide technical opinions / recommendations / interpretations pertaining to compliance, requests, testing issues directly to clients or other BV locations.
• Prepares quotes with client services, assisting with identifying appropriate standards / protocols for testing, as required.  Assists with quotes, presentations and calls to clients in a limited scope. 
• Other duties as defined by supervisor/manager, department needs and workload.
• Adhere to the requirements of the BV-CPS Quality System and assist with the implementation and maintenance of the Laboratory Quality System.
• Provide feedback to department Manager regarding departmental systems, processes and recommendations for improvements.
• Provide technical support to analysts/technicians/external clients.
• Provide technical training to technicians and temporary staff.
• Follow the guidelines set forth in the Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services, Inc Quality, Health, Safety, Security and Environmental policies and procedures.
• Comply with Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services, Inc management systems in accordance with ISO 17025, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001.

Ø Key Performance Indicators & Metrics (Criteria for Performance Evaluation)

KPI’s for this role will be determined as part of the annual PMP process, but could include:

Contribute to the overall site goals with regard to:

• Test result and report Turn Around Time goals
• Report Accuracy Goals:  Total errors per report, Visible by client errors per report and Critical errors per report
• Contribute to department meeting or exceeding Budget/Financial goals (Sales, Expenses, Profit)
• Contribute to meeting Quality goals for Laboratory Audits, Correlation studies and execution of Corrective Actions
• Laboratory Safety goals
• Customer Service and satisfaction  to meet or exceed their expectations
• Meet or exceed goals for timely responses to client requests received via phone, email or fax.
• Timely issuance of quotation information to internal and external customers
• Document client complaints and praises and timely follow-up per client expectation

Ø Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• • Creativity, initiative, and independence in solving problems and developing methods
  • Strong written and verbal communications skills including the ability to communicate effectively in a group setting, with colleagues and clients
  • Organizational and time management skills
  • Ability to perform multiple tasks
  • Ability to organize and prioritize workload to meet or exceed deadlines
  • Individual and Team work ethic
  • Proficiency with Windows, Word & Excel
  • Ability to critically evaluate data
  • Technical problem solving and process improvement skills
  • Demonstrate knowledge of and ability to interpret and explain applicable regulations, standards, and protocols
  • Ability to mentor and instruct co-workers through direction and example
  • Knowledge of statistical analysis tools a plus

Ø Experience and Educational Background Required for the Job

Associate Product Chemist:

• 4 year science degree; or
• 2 year science degree and 2-3 years related experience

Compensation Range: $20 - $23 an hour (e.g., the job posting is not necessarily reflective of actual compensation that may be earned, and actual compensation is subject to variation due to such factors as locations, education, experience, and skillset).