Location: Home Counties
Our client is a well-established and highly regarded manufacturer within the coatings sector, known for delivering high-quality, innovative solutions across a diverse range of applications. The business is recognised for its technical expertise and ability to develop high-performance, problem-solving formulations across decorative, industrial, marine, and protective applications.
With continued investment in research, development, and production capabilities, the organisation is focused on driving innovation and expanding its product portfolio. This role offers the opportunity to take ownership of formulation strategy and play a central role in shaping future product development.
This is a unique opportunity for an experienced and hands-on Paint Scientist to lead technical activities across R&D and production, supporting both innovation and operational excellence within a collaborative and forward-thinking environment.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the development of new coating formulations for both internal brands and private label customers, taking products from concept through to production-ready specification
Set and drive the overall formulation strategy of the business, ensuring continuous innovation across multiple coatings categories
Manage and maintain the formulation library, ensuring all products are accurately documented, controlled, and reproducible
Evaluate, select, and optimise raw materials, including identifying suitable alternatives and ensuring performance and cost efficiency
Oversee product testing and quality standards, ensuring all formulations perform within defined tolerances
Ensure compliance with all relevant regulatory, health and safety, and labelling requirements, maintaining up-to-date safety documentation
Act as a key technical contact with external regulatory bodies and industry organisations to ensure ongoing compliance
Work closely with the manufacturing team, providing hands-on support to ensure formulations translate effectively into production
Mentor and develop technical and production staff, raising capability and supporting problem-solving on the factory floor
Maintain and control Bills of Materials and formulation data, ensuring accuracy across systems and processes
Provide technical input into costing, supporting commercial decision-making across sales and product strategy
Collaborate with purchasing on raw material selection, supplier evaluation, and specification management
Support internal teams, including sales, with technical expertise and customer-facing queries
Contribute to decisions around equipment, manufacturing processes, and future technical investment within the business
Candidate Profile
HNC in Paint Technology, Chemistry, or a related discipline preferred
QBE candidates with a minimum of 8 years' relevant formulation experience will be considered
Demonstrable experience formulating water-based and/or solvent-based coating systems
Strong grounding in polymer chemistry, rheology, and raw material behaviour
Working knowledge of CLP regulations, VOC compliance, and safety data sheet requirements
Hands-on approach - comfortable working in a production environment as well as a lab setting
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a commercial awareness of how formulation decisions affect product performance and margin
An eye for accurate colour matching along with ensuring consistency
Benefits
Competitive salary and benefits package
Supportive, collaborative, and team-oriented culture
Opportunity to play a key role in shaping product innovation and technical strategy
Ongoing investment in professional development and training
Long-term career progression within a stable and growing organisation