Senior Application Specialist

Now hiring! Senior Applications Specialist - Automotive Coatings

 

Southfield, MI (Hybrid/ 4 days in office)

Come create chemistry with us!

 

BASF’s Coatings division is a global expert in the development, production and marketing of innovative and sustainable automotive OEM and refinish coatings as well as applied surface treatments for metal, plastic and glass substrates in a wide range of industries. 

 

Reporting to the North America (NA) Technical Manager – Customization this role provides an opportunity to make a significant difference to the success of the Coatings business. In this role, you will be responsible for coordinating directly with account teams, field service representatives, customers and technical teams to develop, evaluate, launch and troubleshoot new material technologies, plant processes and application equipment.  You will be responsible for maintaining a broad understanding of current customer processes, equipment and technologies, advising customers and equipment suppliers on process recommendations and requirements to achieve optimum performance for future process and equipment modifications, and to actively support implementation of those changes in the field. 

 

The incumbent will utilize knowledge of existing or future plant processes working together with internal application teams to establish processes within our laboratory or manufacturing facilities, that duplicate customer processes to support the development, optimization or troubleshooting activities for the materials we supply.  As an independent contributor you will collaborate with account teams and other affected parties to identify and pursue new business opportunities and to benchmark our material performance compared to competitors.  The successful candidate will support training and development activities of both internal and customer teams, ensure compliance to established safety requirements, and be responsible for proper documentation of work instructions, standard operating procedures and best practices.  You will be travelling to various customer sites in the US, and occassionally Mexico.

 

What You'll do:

 

• Conducting customer plant process reviews, collecting and documenting equipment and process details, and identifying and communicating areas for improvement or best practice implementation.
• Supporting new technology, new paint shops or new plant launch activities from design through to series production phases. 
• Supporting training and development of technical teams, offering mentorship and direction as well as formal and informal knowledge exchange.
• Collaborating with Technical Laboratory Leaders and Field Service Teams to address technical requests / trouble shooting projects related to new or existing products, by managing, initiating, and coordinating projects together with their functional areas of responsibility.
• Driving effective use of the Management of Change (MOC) System, Non-Conformance Management (NCM) System, and Accident and Incident Management System (AIMS).
• Setting and maintaining a high standard of housekeeping within areas of responsibility.
• Driving and supporting  the achievement of profitable growth through continuous improvement and executing of cost saving measures of equipment and material resources.
• Collaborating with BASF Coatings’ Application Technology Group to exchange best practices, as well as with suppliers of coating application equipment to maintain knowledge of trends in paint application technology and equipment.
• Supporting and Collaborating with our Internal Application Group for capital investment projects and strategic planning.

If you have...

 

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, chemistry, or material science.
• At least 5 years of experience with increasing responsibility in automotive OEM coatings application
• Substantive knowledge of automotive coating application technology.
• Experience and breadth in coating chemistries and with multiple paint systems and layers
• Experience interacting with external customers, and suppliers of equipment, materials, and services.
• Experience working in a dynamic environment with ability to manage changing priorities.
• People and Project Management experience.

Create your own chemistry with you@BASF

 

At BASF, you will have the chance to do meaningful work towards building a m