Colourist / Lab Technologist

United In Recruitment Ltd; Stockport; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading manufacturing company based in Stockport is seeking a Laboratory Colourist to develop, match, and test colours for fabrics and coatings. This role involves ensuring colour accuracy and consistency, requiring strong knowledge of colour theory and practical testing skills. The successful candidate will work in a collaborative environment, providing critical support for both R&D innovation and production quality. A degree in Colour Science or equivalent experience is essential, along with excellent attention to detail and teamwork skills.

Benefits

Stakeholder Pension Scheme

28 days holiday

Life Assurance

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent experience in Colour Science or related discipline.
• Demonstrated ability in colour formulation, adjustment, and shade matching.
• Practical experience in a production laboratory environment.

Responsibilities

• Conduct liquor evaluations and shade corrections.
• Raise and monitor works orders.
• Perform laboratory testing on fabrics.

Skills

Colour formulation

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Communication skills

Education

Degree in Colour Science or related discipline

Tools

Spectrophotometer

Colour iControl software

Job description

My clients are a very well-established manufacturing company based in Tameside. We are now recruiting for a Laboratory Colourist, based at the site in Stockport.

As our Laboratory Colourist, you will play a critical role in developing, matching, and testing colours for the company’s fabrics and coatings. The position ensures colour accuracy, consistency, and reproducibility across the full product range, supporting both R&D innovation and production quality. The role requires strong technical knowledge of colour theory and pigment systems, combined with practical laboratory testing and an eye for detail.

40 hours per week – 07:30 – 16:30 Monday to Friday. 60 minute – Unpaid Lunch Break. £13‑£14 per hour DOE.

Benefits

• Auto enrolled into our Stakeholder Pension Scheme (Louvolite contributes 4%).
• 28 days holiday (including statutory), rising by one day after one completed year of service.
• Life Assurance covering your annual salary.
• Subsidised canteen offering freshly cooked meals and sandwiches every day.
• Free car parking.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme, offering counselling support, legal guidance, and medical advice from qualified nurses, for you and your immediate family.
• Mental Health First Aiders available to provide support and guidance.
• Discounted Gym Membership.
• Discounted Blinds and Shutters, upon successful completion of your Probationary Period.
• Peer to Peer Recognition Programme.
• Free Flu Jab voucher every Autumn.
• Christmas Savings Scheme.
• NHS Health Checks.
• Access to a Health Care Cash Plan.

Main Purpose of the Role

The Laboratory Colourist plays a critical role in developing, matching, and testing colours for Louvolite’s fabrics and coatings. The position ensures colour accuracy, consistency, and reproducibility across the full product range, supporting both R&D innovation and production quality. The role requires strong technical knowledge of colour theory and pigment systems, combined with practical laboratory testing and an eye for detail.

Main Responsibilities and Duties

• Liquor Evaluation & Shade Control – Conduct liquor evaluations, shade matching, and shade corrections to ensure consistency with approved standards.
• Works Order Management – Raise, place, and monitor works orders; update and maintain the works order spreadsheet for accurate tracking.
• Fabric Testing – Perform laboratory testing on both uncoated and coated fabrics, assessing colour fastness, lightfastness, UV resistance, wash durability, and blackout performance where applicable.
• Quality Assurance – Approve production batches against master standards, ensuring minimal colour deviation (ΔE values within tolerance) and compliance with specifications.
• Raw Material Control – Carry out quality checks on raw materials, including chemicals, to verify suitability for use.
• Documentation & Reporting – Record and update test results; maintain shade cards, laboratory databases, swatch libraries, filing systems, and technical records.
• Laboratory & Stock Management – Maintain laboratory stock levels (chemicals, consumables, swatches), ensuring availability and good housekeeping.
• Swatch Preparation – Prepare and handle swatches for shade approvals.
• Colour Development – Formulate and match new colours in line with product specifications, across polyester, coated fabrics, foams, and other substrates.
• Process Support – Provide technical support to production teams in pigment mixing, coating.
• Problem Solving – Investigate shade or batch variation issues and recommend corrective actions in collaboration with production and quality teams.
• Cross‑functional Collaboration – Work closely with design, R&D, and manufacturing to deliver colour solutions for new product launches.
• Support Functions – Assist the mixing room when required, ensuring smooth transfer of laboratory formulations into production.

Essential Criteria

• Education – Degree or equivalent experience in Colour Science or related discipline.
• Colour Expertise – Demonstrated ability in colour formulation, adjustment, and shade matching, using both visual and instrumental assessment (e.g., spectrophotometers, light booths).
• Laboratory Experience – Practical, hands‑on experience in a production laboratory environment, preferably within textiles, coatings, or paints.
• Technical Knowledge – Sound understanding of fundamental laboratory techniques, colour measurement principles, and quality control practices.
• Process Awareness – Familiarity with textile manufacturing processes such as pigment application, coating.
• IT Skills – Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and ability to produce clear technical documentation and reports.
• Organisation & Accuracy – Strong organisational and planning skills, with a high level of attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in testing and record‑keeping.
• Teamwork & Independence – Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within cross‑functional teams (R&D, production, quality).
• Communication Skills – Excellent verbal and written communication abilities for reporting results and liaising with colleagues across departments.
• Time Management – Effective prioritisation skills to manage multiple shade developments and laboratory tasks simultaneously.
• Compliance & Consistency – Ability to follow instructions accurately and consistently, ensuring adherence to lab protocols and safety standards.

Desirable Criteria

• Recognition of X‑rite spectrophotometer
• Understanding Colour iControl software
• Recognition of UV‑Vis spectroscopy
• Recognised qualification in textile and colour chemistry.
• Interest in science