This is the role

The main role of the Application Development & Technical Service (ADTS) Scientist is to develop detailed understanding of the performance of current and future Eastman products in home (& personal) care formulations, and use that understanding to solve (emerging) customer needs and challenges and provide intelligence to the business leadership. In addition, to maintain an active network with technical peers in the industry and act as the focal point for application insights, customer discovery and technical service. The role will be the leading technical expert in home care, but will be occasionally involved in personal care projects as well.

The position is based in the European Technology Center Ghent - Zwijnaarde (Belgium)

Travel requirements 10 -30 % mostly within EU

Typical duties are

• Works with our global customers to support existing products and in developing applications (driving customer trials) for new and existing Eastman products, predominantly in the home care segment

• Working closely together with marketing and sales, discover customer unmet needs, understand customer requirements and define fitness-for-use criteria for specific home and personal care applications. Translate the fitness-for-use criteria to fundamental Eastman material characteristics. Lead proposal of final solution to customers and follow up on application trials.

• Responds to technical inquiries for the home care segment, applying fundamental application and formulation experience to resolve customer problems.

• Provides technical training on the application of Eastman products in home care. Keeps track of the state-of-the-art and industry moves in the field of home care formulations and ingredients

• Develops and maintains a network with independent institutions and with the technical centers of key companies in the home and personal care industry. Actively participate in important industry events and conferences.

• Develops fundamental understanding as to how Eastman ingredients behave in a formulation. Assesses chemical structure/performance relationships of Eastman ingredient delivered in a formulation environment.

• Demonstrate value of Eastman products in home and personal care formulations (by testing according to industry practices, benchmarking (relative competitive position) and demo formulations) and assist in building value propositions and customer offers.

• Actively steers direction of Eastman’s innovation activities in home care and contributes to IP strategy

• Seek, gather & distribute market intelligence, contribute to the global technical knowledge-base through sharing of relevant learning & experience via call reports. Understand competitive incumbents and next best competitive alternatives to Eastman’s portfolio options.

• Leads ideation & development projects in the innovation funnel of home and personal care segments, applying Eastman’s “Enabling Business & Marketing Excellence” methodology.

• Works closely with process research, marketing and sales during development, and commercialization of relevant products. Within the ADTS team, collaborate with the application research scientist and lab technicians.

This is what you bring

• Bachelor's Degree required. Master or PhD preferred. (Formulation, colloidal or bio-) Chemistry Preferred.

• Minimum 5 years in relevant field of home and optionally personal care; area’s such as dish and fabric care, and optionally hair care and make-up.

• Creative with initiative, good analytical and trouble-shooting skills.

• Self-starting entrepreneur, can-do mentality, ready to build what is not yet there.

• Team player adding value to local team bonds while also mastering the dynamics of working in international teams

• Ability to influence and inspire on cross-functional and cross-regional teams.

• Experience working in multi-functional project teams and customer facing situations.

• Culturally aware and comfortable with international travel.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

Why join Eastman?

It’s about growth and your long-term success. At Eastman, your career path can take many routes—each offering growth opportunities, competitive salary and benefits, and a globally growing work environment. Eastman fosters a culture of diversity steeped in teamwork and employee involvement, a place where dedicated individuals turn great ideas into materials that make a difference in everyday life. We support and encourage one another and believe that leveraging diversity in our thoughts and experiences allows us to excel in business.