Analytical Chemist

Manpower Group (UK); Wantage; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Manpower Group UK is seeking an Analytical Chemist within a specialist Packaging Sciences team. You will provide analytical chemistry expertise across products, manufacturing operations, suppliers and customers, and lead investigations to support problem solving and business decisions.

You will develop and improve analytical methods, interpret complex data, and contribute to continuous improvement while ensuring safety and quality standards across the lab.

Qualifications

• BSc in Chemistry or equivalent qualification.
• Experience in analytical chemistry or food chemistry laboratory.
• IC and ICP-OES are essential.
• General wet chemistry and volumetric analysis skills.
• Strong analytical and investigative abilities with data interpretation.
• Good written and verbal communication, including presenting data.
• Good IT skills and MS Office knowledge.
• Methodical laboratory records, sample management and traceability.
• Commitment to safe working practices and laboratory standards.

Responsibilities

• Provide analytical chemistry expertise across the business.
• Lead investigations related to manufacturing, customer complaints and technical issues.
• Develop and improve analytical methods and laboratory processes.
• Carry out investigations involving food and water analysis, contaminants, and food contact compliance.
• Produce accurate, reliable, and traceable analytical data.
• Interpret results and prepare technical reports and recommendations.
• Maintain laboratory equipment and ensure calibration/servicing.
• Manage sample workflows and records with full traceability.
• Support QA/QC, lab housekeeping and continuous improvement.
• Provide technical guidance and training to colleagues.

Skills

Analytical skills

Investigative skills

Communication skills

IT skills

MS Office

Record keeping

Safety compliance

Education

BSc in Chemistry or equivalent

Tools

Ion Chromatography (IC)

ICP-OES

GCMS

FTIR

DSC

Job description

Are you an experienced Analytical Chemist looking for an opportunity to apply your technical expertise within a growing R&D and manufacturing environment?

We are recruiting for an Analytical Chemist to join a specialist Packaging Sciences team, providing analytical chemistry expertise across products, manufacturing operations, suppliers and customers.

This is a varied and technically focused role where you will play a key part in investigating technical challenges, generating high-quality analytical data and providing clear recommendations to support problem solving and business decisions.

The Role

As an Analytical Chemist, you will:

• Provide analytical chemistry expertise and technical support across the business.
• Lead and coordinate investigations relating to manufacturing, customer complaints and technical issues.
• Develop and improve analytical methods and laboratory processes.
• Carry out investigations involving food and water analysis, quality and process support, contaminants and foreign body identification, food contact compliance, taint and odour assessments and other analytical chemistry projects.
• Use a range of laboratory techniques to produce accurate, reliable and traceable analytical data.
• Interpret results and prepare clear technical reports, conclusions and recommendations.
• Maintain laboratory equipment, ensuring it is calibrated, serviced and fit for purpose.
• Manage sample workflows and laboratory records, maintaining full traceability.
• Contribute to laboratory quality, housekeeping and continuous improvement.
• Provide technical guidance, training and support to colleagues and apprentices.

You will ideally have:

• A BSc in Chemistry or equivalent qualification.
• Previous experience working within an analytical chemistry or food chemistry laboratory.
• Practical experience using Ion Chromatography (IC) and ICP-OES - essential.
• Good general laboratory skills, including wet chemistry and volumetric analysis.
• Strong analytical and investigative skills, with the ability to interpret complex technical information.
• Good written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present scientific data.
• Good IT skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• A methodical approach to laboratory records, sample management and traceability.
• A strong commitment to safe working practices and laboratory standards.

Desirable Experience

Experience with any of the following would be advantageous:

• GCMS
• FTIR
• DSC
• Contract laboratory environments
• Food packaging or food production
• Protective metal coatings
• Mentoring or training junior laboratory colleagues
• A higher degree specialising in analytical chemistry or a related discipline
• Additional European language skills

If you have strong analytical chemistry experience, particularly IC and ICP-OES, and are looking for your next challenge, we'd be keen to hear from you!