Coatings Scientist - Application

Covia responsibly provides minerals solutions for a better tomorrow. As a leading provider of diversified minerals, our products support a variety of industrial markets, including glass, ceramics, coatings, metals, foundry, polymers, construction, water filtration, and sports and recreation. Long-standing relationships with a broad customer base enable Covia's market-inspired approach to innovation to enhance solutions and customer benefits. Underpinning these strengths is an unwavering commitment to safety and to sustainable development, further enhancing the value that Covia delivers to all its stakeholders.

Covia is looking for a dynamic Coatings Application Scientist who will have a positive impact on the Applications Development Team in Charlotte, NC. As a Coatings Application Scientist, you will support the innovation in the Paint, Coatings, Adhesives, & Sealants markets through formulation design, evaluation, and engagement with paint and coatings customers.

The successful candidate will have the following Key Accountabilities:

• Lead the design, installation, commissioning, and on-going maintenance of the coatings laboratory to support coatings formulation applications
• Conduct the coatings laboratory projects supporting new product development and commercial growth. Develop technical value propositions. Translate voice of customers (VOC) into key performance attributes. Design and conduct experiments to demonstrate and quantify functional and performance benefits using customer language.
• Interface with the technology platform, corporate analytical laboratory, and pilot staff to ensure seamless technology transfer and scale-up.
• Support coatings technical product commercialization, assisting in the creation of technical data sheets, brochures, and new product launch packages
• Support within a cross-functional team to develop IP strategy in the coatings space. Conduct annual coatings IP landscape study, stay up to date to competitive IP.
• Coordinate comparative testing & evaluation of competitive products in the coatings markets.
• Supervise lab technicians.
• Provide training and technical assistance to Sales, Operations, Marketing and other Covia affiliated employees involved in supplying and servicing the coatings markets. Serve as a resource for customer problem resolving and technical support.
• Represent the organization in forums and conferences within specific area of application expertise.

The successful candidate will have the following Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry or chemical engineering with 10 years' experience in the relevant industry, or Master /Ph. D degree with 5 years of industrial experience
• Experience in resin systems and formulations with pigments, fillers, curing agents, activators
• Experience in various paint and coating systems, including architectural interior, exterior coatings, industrial coatings, and specialty applications such as solar reflection coatings.
• Laboratory experience with chemicals, MSDS, ventilation and safety training
• Hands-on ability to execute analytical / laboratory procedures and maintain applicable equipment / systems
• Deep knowledge of coating formulations with a structured methodology for building, optimizing, and testing coating formulations is preferred
• Experience with Critical to Quality (CTQ) process is preferred

Commitment to Our Culture

Our core values - Safety, Team, Customers, Growth, and Courage-guide our work every day and will help us achieve our vision: Covia is the leading minerals solutions provider, and through the passion and commitment of our people, we enable customer success-ensuring a sustainable future for our company.

All Covia Team Members are expected to:

• Live the Life-Saving Rules
• Build high-performing work teams
• Focus on customers
• Demonstrate a growth mindset
• Do the right thing, always

Benefits:

• Excellent Healthcare Benefits - medical, vision, dental
• 401K with company matching
• Paid Time Off + Paid Holidays
• Disability plans and Life / AD&D
• Employee Assistance Program

At Covia, we strive for and support a diverse workforce as we firmly believe this lays the foundation of our success. Our compelling culture supports inclusion, individuality and respect within the workplace. We are committed to providing employment opportunities to the most qualified candidate based on work-related factors and without regard to non-work-related factors including race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or veteran status.

The organization offers competitive salaries, advancement opportunities, and a full range of benefits.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

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