Senior Formulations Chemist

INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT & HR EXPERTS ACROSS THE PLASTICS, PACKAGING, SPECIALITY CHEMICALS, LIFE SCIENCES, BIOPOLYMER, FOOD ADDITIVES & INGREDIENTS, ENERGY AND RECYCLING SECTORS SINCE 1975.

Senior Formulations Chemist
Site-Based, County Durham
Job ref: HS /63933

Salary: £40,000 - £45,000 per annum plus profit sharing

Reporting into: Head of New Product Development

 

Company Overview:

Established since 1926, with offices in the UK, USA and China, currently exporting to 80 countries worldwide with a global network of distributers. Despite their growing presence in the UK and across International chemical markets, they remain flexible just like a true independent family-run business. By 2030 they are looking to transition their portfolio to one that is sustainable.

 

Role Overview:

With a vision to be the partner of choice for customers who are looking to transition to value added, sustainable derived and functioning specialty chemistry. The company are keen to develop their consumer actives markets, such as: household goods, laundry and cosmetics.

Your role through product formulation will be to increase the profitability of the business in line with business strategy, you will serve as the technical expert and have sole responsibility for their new lab, developing new and improving existing products.

 

Key Responsibilities:

• Able to identify the requirements for expanding formulation capabilities and make recommendations based on personal knowledge and experience (including setting up laboratories).
• Acts as a technical expert, supporting product enhancements, quality improvements, customer requests, and cost-saving initiatives.
• Plans and implements product design studies within strategic commercial markets (e.g., Consumer Actives).
• Validates and implements suitable application tests in collaboration with R&D and analytical teams.
• Takes ownership of product formulations, ensuring they are optimized to meet customer requirements.
• Screens both new and existing products for alternative functional effects.
• Evaluates new raw materials for potential use.
• Collaborates with team members to identify, capture, and address new product opportunities.
• Develops stock formulations and utilises these to generate relevant data to support marketing and value development activities.
• Reports and communicates results and recommendations to key stakeholders within the business.

 

 

What We’re Looking For:

• Educated to MSc or PhD level in chemistry or another relevant subject.
• Over 5 years of technical experience in a chemical manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience in product formulation.
• Ideally, some previous experience in an applications testing role.
• Experience within the Consumer Care market.
• Innovative mindset – able to think creatively and outside the box.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of relevant industry regulatory requirements.
• Self-motivated and proactive.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• A driving licence and own car are desirable due to the location.
• Highly driven to succeed with a strong sense of initiative.
• Ability to make prompt decisions, exercising technical judgement even when faced with ambiguity or incomplete information/data.

 

 

For reasons of better legibility, the simultaneous use of the language forms male, female and diverse (f/m/d) is avoided. All personal designations apply equally to all genders.
For UK roles, candidates must be eligible to work and live in the United Kingdom. Proof of eligibility will be required with your application.

To apply please contact Haydn Spires
haydn.spires@listgrove.com
0044 (0) 1789 207070

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