Company: Progressive Industrial Fluids Ltd.
Location: London, Ontario (On-site)
Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Reports To: Laboratory Manager
Compensation & Benefits
Hourly Wage: $24.00-$30.00 per hour (based on experience)
Vacation: 2 weeks
Health benefits: eligible after 3 months
RRSP program: eligible after 6 months
Overtime: paid in accordance with Ontario standards (as required)
About Progressive Industrial Fluids
Progressive Industrial Fluids is a locally owned, family-operated Canadian manufacturing company based in Southwestern Ontario. We design, manufacture, and distribute industrial fluids and specialty chemical products that support critical industries across Canada — including hydraulic oils, way oils, metalworking coolants, stamping compounds, and other lubricant solutions.
Built from the ground up, Progressive has grown through a strong focus on process, quality, and doing things the right way. We take pride in producing true Canadian-made products, supporting local jobs, and maintaining hands-on ownership involvement in the business.
We operate a dedicated ~1,000 sq ft lab and maintain ISO 9001-certified processes that support consistent product quality, documentation, and continuous improvement. We’ve also invested in building a process-driven organization with documented procedures, quality controls, and ERP integration (Odoo) to support scale and consistency.
We believe great companies are built by great people. As we grow, we are focused on surrounding ourselves with high-calibre team members who care about their work, take ownership, and want to help build something lasting. We value accountability, safety, respect, and collaboration — and we believe strong processes allow people to do their best work.
Joining Progressive Industrial Fluids means becoming part of a team that is building for the long term — where contributions matter, improvements are encouraged, and success is shared.
The Role
This is a hands-on, high-output role that will lead the development of new MRO lubricants, industrial cleaners, and metalworking fluids from concept through full‑scale manufacturing. This role blends hands‑on bench chemistry, pilot‑scale optimization, and plant‑level scale‑up, while also collaborating closely with suppliers, production teams, and field service personnel. The ideal candidate is comfortable moving between the lab, the production floor, and customer‑focused problem solving. The role will also support our Field Service Team, who work directly with customers to maintain and improve product performance in real-world applications.
Key Responsibilities
Formulation Development
- Develop new and improved formulations for lubricants, cleaners and degreasers, metalworking fluids, corrosion inhibitors, and specialty MRO chemicals.
- Conduct laboratory experiments, stability studies, compatibility testing, and performance evaluations using standardized and custom test methods.
- Evaluate performance metrics relevant to industrial applications (viscosity, lubricity, corrosion resistance, solvency, foaming, stability, etc.).
- Translate lab formulations into pilot‑scale batches; optimize mixing procedures, raw material sequencing, heating/cooling profiles, and process parameters.
- Identify opportunities to improve cost, performance, sustainability, and manufacturability of existing product lines.
- Engage with suppliers to request raw‑material samples, evaluate new chemistries, obtain technical data, and maintain strong vendor relationships that support innovation and cost‑effective sourcing.
- Prepare technical documents including formulation records, batch instructions, standard operating procedures, and technical data sheets (TDS).
Perform Industry Testing Methods
Perform and/or interpret a wide range of analytical and performance tests relevant to lubricants, cleaners, and metalworking fluids, including:
- Viscosity testing (ASTM D445)
- Corrosion testing such as ASTM D130 and ASTM D665
- Foam testing (ASTM D892)
- pH, alkalinity, and acid number (ASTM D974, D664)
- Rust prevention (ASTM D1748)
- Tribology testing including Four‑Ball Wear/EP (ASTM D4172, D2783)
- Emulsion stability (ASTM D3709, D3327)
- Refractometer calibration curves for metalworking fluids
- Thermal stability and oxidation testing (ASTM D943, D2893)
Apply results to guide formulation adjustments, troubleshoot performance issues, and validate product specifications.
Field Service Support
- Partner with the field service team to gather real‑world performance data, evaluate customer feedback, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
- Support on‑site troubleshooting, recommend formulation adjustments, and ensure products perform reliably under actual operating conditions.
Lab Organization, Cleanliness, and Safety
- Maintain a clean, organized, and well-stocked lab environment (daily cleanup, glassware care, proper storage, and 5S-style organization).
- Ensure workspaces are left ready for the next task and the next team member.
- Follow all safety requirements when working with chemicals, including PPE use, safe handling, and proper disposal practices.
- Report hazards, spills, or unsafe conditions immediately and participate in corrective actions.
Documentation Control
- Maintain accurate and compliant documentation for formulations, batch instructions, raw‑material specifications, and revision histories.
- Ensure all R&D outputs—including formulations, bills of materials, process instructions, and quality control specifications—are properly entered, updated, and approved within Odoo.
- Uphold document‑control standards for versioning, traceability, audit readiness, and cross‑department visibility.
- Maintain organized raw-material technical files, including supplier SDSs, technical data sheets, specifications, certificates of analysis where applicable, substance identifiers, supplier declarations, and regulatory documentation.
- Support internal audits, customer technical inquiries, ISO 9001 requirements, and cross-department access to accurate product information.
Regulatory Knowledge
- Support the classification, preparation, review, and maintenance of safety data sheets, product labels, and supporting documentation in accordance with applicable WHMIS, Hazardous Products Act, and Hazardous Products Regulations requirements.
- Coordinate updates to SDSs, labels, and supporting records when formulations, raw materials, supplier documentation, hazard information, or regulatory requirements change.
- Support the maintenance of bilingual SDS and label documentation for products sold into Canadian workplaces.
- Review supplier SDSs, technical data sheets, and regulatory declarations to identify information gaps, potential restrictions, and documentation requirements before new raw materials are approved for use.
- Research and maintain regulatory-status information for raw materials and finished formulations, including DSL/NDSL, TSCA, and REACH-related requirements, where applicable.
- Support the assessment and documentation of Transportation of Dangerous Goods classifications, shipping descriptions, and related product information where applicable.
Who You Are
You are someone who:
- Has strong attention to detail and can follow procedures consistently
- Manages time well, prioritizes tasks, and stays productive on a busy day
- Communicates clearly and respectfully with lab, production, and field service teams
- Enjoys learning, improving, and building new skills over time
- Is organized, dependable, and takes ownership of completing tasks fully (including cleanup)
- Can work as part of a team but is also comfortable working independently
- Is safety-minded and understands the importance of working carefully with chemicals
- Is comfortable using Excel and Microsoft Word for tracking, documentation, and reporting
- Is physically capable of lab work, including occasional lifting (up to 50 kg may occur)
Qualifications & Experience
- Post-secondary education in a science/technical field is preferred (chemistry, chemical engineering, or materials science), but equivalent experience and a strong fit will be considered
- 2-5 years of experience in a lab, manufacturing, or technical environment is an asset (training can be provided for the right candidate)
- Strong computer fundamentals required
- Knowledge of safe chemical handling and workplace safety practices (WHMIS familiarity is an asset)
Core Skills & Competencies
Accountability, Attention to Detail, Written & Verbal Communication, Data & Documentation Accuracy, Productivity, Efficiency, Initiative, Proactive, Organizational Skills, Safety Awareness, Problem-Solving, Teamwork & Collaboration, Time Management, Project Management, Process Optimization
Pay: $24.00-$28.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company events
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
Work Location: In person
