Pace International LLC - Sr Formulations Scientist III

Pace International LLC (Pace) collaborates with growers, packers, and agricultural organizations around the world to develop innovative sustainable solutions that enhance, protect, and preserve freshness, safety, and quality of horticultural crops. With a strong footprint across the Americas and a distribution network across main agricultural regions in the world, Pace is the leading provider of sustainable postharvest products, technologies and technical services that protect freshness of horticultural crops, while maximizing efficiencies in packing operations. Pace is a wholly owned subsidiary of biorational crop protection company Valent BioSciences LLC, a Sumitomo Chemical Company.

General Description:

This position is in the formulations department located in Wapato, WA and would work in a team environment with other members of the formulations department as well as members of other departments to expand Pace’s portfolio of market-leading products while supporting Product Life Cycle Management.

Principal Responsibilities

• Acts as Principal Investigator for projects initiated to develop new formulations and technologies, identify novel materials for use in new formulations and products, and manage product life cycle
  • Product types include fruit coatings, postharvest fungicides, cleaners, etc.
  • Formulation types include emulsions (macro and micro), suspension concentrates (SCs), emulsifiable concentrates (ECs), etc.
  • Technologies may include sensors, automated equipment, and datalogging devices
• Directs scale-up activities in Manufacturing for those projects in which the Senior Formulations Chemist acts as Principal Investigator
• Directs commercial trials at customer facilities for those projects in which the Senior Formulations Chemist acts as Principal Investigator
• Provides technical expertise to:
  • Manufacturing personnel
  • Field Service Personnel in support of new development and re-development
  • Sales Personnel in resolving any customer problems relating to product use and application.
• Authorized to use equipment, instruments and other resources in Formulations Laboratory, pilot plant, QC lab, and Manufacturing to perform his/her responsibilities.

Qualifications/Experience/Education:

• Requires an advanced technical degree in chemical or closely related field (e.g. food science) or an undergraduate degree with demonstrated work experience at the advanced level
• Required 5+ years previous industrial experience in cosmetics, paints, or coatings formulation. 10+ years highly desirable.
• Strong technical background and familiarity with emulsion and/or surface chemistry is required.
• Strong technical background and familiarity with sensors and datalogging equipment is preferred.
• Strong technical background and familiarity with GC, HPLC, spectrometry and other standard chemical analysis techniques is helpful.
• Ability to work in the following environments: laboratory, pilot plant, manufacturing plant environment, customer facilities
• Strong personal/communication skills.
• Physically fit to perform his/her duties
• Attitude is an important part of our company and having a positive attitude, being a team player, and being a leader are requirements for successful employment with Pace International, LLC.

Job Details:

• Salary range: $80,000-$100,000, bonus potential
• Type: Full-time, onsite
• Relocation available
• Schedule: generally, M-F, occasional weekends and extended hours during harvest
• Benefits:
  • Medical, Dental, Vision and Prescription coverage
    • Healthcare, Limited Purpose and Dependent Care FSA available
    • HSA/HRA options available including employer contributions
  • 401(k) (pretax), Roth (post-tax) and Catch-Up retirement options available first month after hire
  • Discretionary Profit Sharing available first quarter after hire
  • 100% immediate vesting in all retirement plan contributions made on your behalf
  • Company paid basic life insurance; 2x annual base salary up to $500k
  • Company paid basic AD&D insurance; 2x annual base salary up to $500k
  • Access to a variety of employee paid supplemental life insurance products
  • Company paid Short and Long-term disability coverage
  • Paid vacation, holidays and community volunteer time
  • Paid sick pay – 160 hours per year
  • Paid bereavement, baby bonding and other life event leaves of absence
  • Tuition reimbursement opportunities
  • Spirit of Valent recognition and reward opportunities
  • Referral Bonus opportunities
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Access to a health advocate
  • Reduced cost legal, LifeLock Identity Protection and Long-term care products
  • Matching gifts program

Pace International is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. We celebrate the unique differences of our employees that drive curiosity, innovation, and the success of our business. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information, political affiliation, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. All are welcome to apply!