COMPANY OVERVIEW:

Balchem is committed to making the world a healthier place by delivering trusted, innovative, and science-based solutions for the health and nutritional needs of the world. Balchem employs approximately 1,400 employees worldwide who provide the service, quality, and technology that enables our customers to win with their customers. We have built a reputation for delivering results to all of our stakeholders. Founded in 1967, Balchem, a Maryland corporation, became a publicly-traded company in 1970 and is listed on Nasdaq under the symbol “BCPC.” Our corporate headquarters is located in Montvale, New Jersey, and we have a broad network of sales offices, manufacturing sites, and R&D centers, primarily located in the U.S. and Europe. The Company consists of three business segments: Human Nutrition and Health, Animal Nutrition and Health, and Specialty Products.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Senior/Principal Scientist will lead strategic, long-term research initiatives within Balchem’s Animal Nutrition & Health business. This role is ideal for a highly experienced scientist with deep expertise in chemistry and proven success in driving innovation from concept through commercialization. The successful candidate will spearhead complex R&D projects, develop next-generation technologies, and serve as a thought leader in advancing Balchem’s scientific capabilities. This position requires a visionary approach to problem-solving, strong communication in multidisciplinary teams, and the ability to translate scientific breakthroughs into commercial success.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provide hands-on support to lab and pilot plant to fulfill R&D functions, including extrusion, granulation, and fluidized bed operation.
• Use expertise in formulation chemistry to create innovative products and improve existing formulations.
• Provide creative ideas for expanding our value and profits to our customers and differentiating our company from the competition.
• Utilize design of experiments (DOE) to systematically explore multivariate design spaces.
• Carefully document projects in an organized and transparent manner.
• Become the internal expert, with deep fundamental knowledge of Balchem’s technology such as microencapsulation, spray-drying, agglomeration, and end-use technology rumen-protected nutrients.
• Act as a project manager, anticipating challenges to keep projects moving forward.
• Review the patent and technical literature and alert the organization to technology developments outside of Balchem.
• Work in a multi-disciplinary team to tackle difficult problems harmoniously.
• Communicate effectively and interface with other departments to ensure smooth business flow, including Balchem’s Supply Chain and Commercial teams.
• Represent Balchem in industry groups and trade associations.
• Be an external face for Balchem in the technical community; publish articles, file patents, and make presentations at industry association meetings.
• Support product scale-up efforts including infrequent travel to production sites.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Combined Education and Experience Requirements

• 2-10+ years of progressive experience in R&D within specialty chemicals, food, nutraceutical, or pharmaceutical industries.
• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Material Science, Physics, Food Science, or Polymer Science.

Required Skills

• Proven ability to be a safety champion in a process-related industry. Holds self and others accountable for safe behaviors and works toward goal of zero injuries. Ensure that R&D work is conducted in a safe manner via hazard reviews, SOPs, and appropriate PPE.
• Preferred professional experience in the specialty chemicals, food, nutraceutical, or pharmaceutical industries or suppliers to these industries.
• Mastery of chemistry bench skills and knowledge of or experience with material characterization techniques (DSC, rheology, microscopy, texture analysis, etc.).
• Detail-focused working style.
• The ability to quickly learn existing protocols and build new protocols to advance projects as needed.
• Track record of successful technical execution and publication in peer reviewed journal(s) or patents.
• Advanced analytical skills including experiment design (DOE).
• Proficiency in data management and analysis, with experience using relevant tools and software.

Preferred Skills

• Experience formulating products and the associated material process steps.
• Experience developing polymeric formulations including emulsions.
• Knowledge of regulations pertaining to animal feed and experience working in a regulated environment.
• Proven track record of scale up in an industrial setting.
• Project management experience from ideation to scaleup.

#IN

Balchem is committed to a workplace culture that values and promotes diversity, inclusion, equal employment opportunities, and a work environment free of harassment and hostility.

The salary range for this role is between $120,000 and $150,000 per year.