Ostara is passionate about changing the way the Ag and T&O industry thinks about phosphate management. Our continuing mission is, and will remain, “Feeding the World While Protecting It.”
We believe that passionate people can make a real difference and we are building a culture around innovation, sustainability, efficiency, nimbleness, honesty, compliance, and a sense of urgency to make a positive difference and create real value. Ostara’s Crystal Green® fertilizers are the first granular phosphate fertilizers to release nutrients in response to plant demand. Using Crop Driven Release™, Crystal Green is proven to increase yields, enhance soil health and significantly reduce phosphate tie-up and runoff, thereby improving food security while protecting local waterways from nutrient pollution.
Position summary
The Formulation Scientist will lead and organize focus to the R&D and commercial aspects of formulation development and improvement. Our formulations are a critical component to the value proposition Ostara presents to its customers. The formulation scientist plans, oversees, manages, and helps plan strategy for Ostara’s R&D and commercial formulation efforts.
Essential Functions
Creates and implements formulation strategies, as well as hands-on formulating of products
Aligns the company’s technology resources with the organization’s short- and long-term goals
Serves on the R&D leadership team to align formulation and technology goals to overall departmental and organizational objectives
Reports on company’s quality assurance and quality control programs, objectives, and progress
Identifies what formulation and related technologies can be used to improve the company’s products and services, as well as define new products and services
Oversight functions of formulation scientist
Evaluate, improve, and suggest changes to existing formulations for improvements (quality, COGs, downstream value, etc.)
Assess and help define appropriate formulation/product quality control evaluations and targets
Lead quality assurance development and refinement for organization (all products)
Technical writing and presentations (formulations and related fields)
Clearinghouse for formulation-related products, projects, and business expansion
Learn historical physical, chemical, and product formulation/manufacturing knowledge from Research Fellow
Supervisory responsibilities
Oversees formulation development of the organization
Conducts formulation performance evaluations that are timely and constructive
Reviews and recommends changes to organization’s quality control and quality assurance programs
Required Skills/abilities
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Able to apply knowledge and experience to provide robust R&D and commercial solutions
Self-confident and self-motivated person able to prioritize and focus on the completion of key targets, and comfortable in a fast-paced, growth-oriented, results-driven organization
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite or similar software
Ability to travel to US and Canadian offices, and manufacturing sites
Education/experience
Bachelor’s degree in formulation science or related field (chemical engineering, materials science, etc.)
Master’s degree preferred
2-3 Years Experience With Hands-on Formulation Experience Preferred
Physical requirements and work environment
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk on the phone, speak with the public, hear on the phone, hear in person, and use hands and fingers. This job requires the employee to sit for prolonged periods with minimal exposure to hot and cold temperature extremes that could be encountered at Ostara’s job sites and the ability to walk around in labs and between sites. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. This job requires close vision and the ability to adjust focus. This role occasionally experiences high noise and dust levels, commensurate with manufacturing facilities and developing granular formulations.
Location and travel
This position is located in St. Louis area, either at the manufacturing facility or nearby lab. This position will require between 25% and 40% in the US and travel to Canada depending on relevant projects.
EEO statement
Ostara is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion or belief, age, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, parental status, gender identity or national origin.
Other duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Ostara reserves the right to change duties, responsibilities, and activities at any time with or without notice.