Application Development & Technical Support Specialist (Surface & Adhesives)

Portfolio Business: Huber Engineered Materials 

J.M. Huber Corporation is one of the largest privately held, family-owned companies in the United States. Established in 1883, we are a diversified, global supplier of specialty and commodity chemicals, hydrocolloid solutions, engineered wood products and natural resources to customers spanning a wide variety of industries. With approximately $3 billion in sales and 4,000 employees worldwide, we have a material presence in more than 20 countries.

Position Summary

Huber Advanced Materials, a division of J.M. Huber Corporation, specializes in delivering high-quality specialty materials tailored for diverse industries. This unit is dedicated to the development and production of engineered materials, including mineral-based fire retardant and smoke suppression additives, as well as performance-enhancing additives. Our innovative products serve a wide range of sectors, such as plastics, paints and coatings, adhesives, and construction materials.

The Application Development & Technical Services Specialist responsible for the Surface & Adhesives Market Segment serves as the key technical interface, driving customer-facing initiatives and fostering strong technical relationships with clients while promoting Huber Advanced Materials products and solutions for the coatings and adhesives applications. 

Key responsibilities encompass managing customer technical service activities and product development, identifying emerging trends to inform proactive strategies, and building strategic partnerships. The ideal candidate will possess excellent communication skills, a deep understanding of product development processes, and the ability to transform customer requests into market-ready offerings. 

This role offers a distinctive chance to influence the future direction of our product offerings and make a substantial impact on the growth trajectory of Huber Advanced Materials.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

• Customer Engagement:  Serve as primary technical contact for customers, addressing inquiries related to product applications, performance, and specifications.  Understand and analyze customer needs and provide tailored solutions.
• Technical Support & Product Development:  Assist customers in troubleshooting and resolving technical issues with our products in their applications. Conduct product trials and evaluations in-house & in collaboration with customers to demonstrate product efficacy.
• Collaboration for Market Driven Innovation: Collaborate with Sales team, R&D, product management & operations teams to relay customer feedback and contribute to product development and enhancements.
• Industry Trend Monitoring: Continuously monitor industry trends and emerging technologies to identify potential opportunities for innovation and competitive advantage.
• Product Communication: Develop and deliver technical training for customers and internal staff on product usage and best practices. Create informational materials and presentations to communicate technical information effectively.
• Documentation and Reporting:  Prepare detailed customer & technical documentation, including reports on product performance and application notes. Maintain accurate records of customer interactions and technical solutions provided.

Specialized/Technical Knowledge or Required Skills

• Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline (e.g., Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science).
• Experience: A minimum of 5 years of experience in product development and technical service activities in the coating & adhesives application space.
• Product Launch Expertise: Demonstrated success developing & launching new products, showcasing a strong market impact.
• Project Management Proficiency: Skilled in project management methodologies and tools, with a track record of delivering projects on time.
• Strategic and Analytical Skills: Strong strategic thinking, analytical reasoning, and problem-solving abilities that drive decision-making and innovation.
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the capacity