Adv Prod Dev

AstenJohnson is the leader in technical fabrics. Our drive to provide the best products and service in our industry is fueled by our associates and their drive to innovate. We want our associates to build careers here and become part of the fabric of our 230 year old company. We offer competitive pay, excellent benefits and a workplace built on respect and purpose.

**Job Title**: APD Specialist

**Department**: Advanced Product Development (APD)
Job Type Full Time
Job Status Regular, Salaried Exempt

**About AstenJohnson**:
AstenJohnson is a global manufacturer of pulp & paper machine clothing, monofilaments, technical fabrics, and nonwoven fabrics. Our history dates to 1790 and, our company has 2100 people working across 11 plants located in Europe, Asia, and North America. AstenJohnson is committed to a sustainable future and cares about Health & Safety, Economic, Social, and Environment impacts.

**Career Opportunity and General Scope of Responsibilities**:
We have an exciting opportunity for an Advanced Product Development Specialist within our Kanata Business Support Centre. The APD Specialist will carry out research and lead innovative product and process development projects that support the company’s business goals. Provide technical support and perform testing for company’s products. Maintain focus on our customers' market challenges and needs.

**Specific Responsibilities**:

- Lead assigned projects by utilizing project management best practices within our Lean StageGate innovation process.
- Design and perform experiments to solve material, product and process problems.
- Design and develop new custom equipment and procedures for testing product.
- Build mock-ups, models and prototypes to evaluate the feasibility of new product and process ideas.
- Explore new manufacturing technologies and materials with potential to disrupt our industry.
- Perform raw materials, product and competitive testing according to ISO procedures.
- Write technical laboratory and white paper reports for experimental work and research.
- Publish technical articles, present at conferences, and maintain relevant association/committee membership.
- Work collaboratively within cross-functional project teams to execute all aspects of projects from development to manufacturing to customer trials.
- Seek out ways to provide new and improved value to our customers and take responsibility for technology transfer to internal and external customers.
- Generate and maintain Safety and Quality documentation, i.e. Work Instructions, Calibration, TPM, and LOTO.
- Support operations, and sales & marketing as required.
- Assist IP Specialist to obtain and protect intellectual property, including patents, trademarks, and trade secrets.
- Review competitive patent publications and evaluate their relevance.
- Foster a safe and healthy workplace through absolute compliance with health & safety, and respect policies.

**Reporting Relationships**:
**Line**: APD Specialist Team Leader
**Coordination**: Advanced Product Development Team, Product Managers, New Product Development Teams, Continuous Improvement Teams, Sales & Marketing, Customers and Suppliers.

**Supervision Received**:
Project work is assigned with instructions as to the overall requirements and progress is reviewed regularly. Standard work is assigned without technical advice; however, such advice is usually available. Guidance and supervision is available for non-routine work.

**Supervisory Responsibilities**:
**Line**: Occasionally temporary associates, such as students

**Position Requirements**:Education/ Experience**:

- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Applied Science is required.
- Experience in product and process development is preferred.
- Lean and Six Sigma certification or experience is an asset.
- Background in pulp and paper, technical têxtiles or polymer materials is an asset.

**Skills**:

- Ability to execute projects from ideation through to commercialization using a StageGate® development process.
- Uses analytical thinking and problem solving tools such as Design of Experiments, statistical data analysis and Design for Six Sigma to recommend data-driven solutions to technical problems.
- Able to deliver bold innovation by demonstrating passion and enthusiasm for understanding problems and generating creative solutions.
- Works collaboratively, creatively, and flexibly within interdisciplinary teams, customers and suppliers to deliver exceptional results.
- Has strong knowledge of polymer materials and manufacturing processes experience, i.e. polymer extrusion.
- Has knowledge and experience in polymer laser processing.
- Knowledge and experience in additive manufacturing and 3D printing.
- Knowledge and experience with Industry 4.0 and digital transformation in manufacturing.
- Sustainable and environmentally conscientious product development and manufacturing processes.
- Practical hands-on aptitude in a technical environment.
- Able to deal wi