Development Chemist 2 - Adhesives

IPS Corporation; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

IPS Adhesives is seeking a Development Chemist 2 to advance our adhesive portfolio through new formulations and enhanced existing ones. You will drive innovation, support manufacturing excellence and deliver value for customers across global markets.

Reporting to the Technical Manager (Europe), you will manage development activities, conduct physical testing, and collaborate with Production, Quality and Sales teams while ensuring compliance with IPSA Quality Standards and ISO 9001.

Qualifications

• Degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Polymer Engineering, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum of five years' experience in formulation development within adhesives, coatings, polymers, or related materials industries.
• Experience planning and delivering technical projects to agreed deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present technical information clearly to a range of audiences.
• Strong IT skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Develop new and improved adhesive formulations and manufacturing processes.
• Self-manage product development and improvement activities to agreed deadlines.
• Perform physical and materials testing to evaluate performance, quality and stability.
• Propose and introduce new test equipment and methods.
• Communicate technical results to scientists, engineers and customers; prepare reports.

Skills

Strong experimental planning

Excellent communication

Strong IT skills

Collaborative teamwork

Analytical skills

Education

Degree in Chemistry or related

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

About the Company

IPS Adhesives is a global supplier of structural and surfacing adhesives, serving a diverse range of markets through three established brands:

• Scigrip – Structural Adhesives
• Integra – Surfacing Adhesives
• Unika – Kitchen Products

Our success is built on solving customer challenges through talented people, industry-leading adhesive technologies, and innovative packaging and service solutions.

About the Role

Reporting to the Technical Manager (Europe), the Development Chemist 2 plays a key role in advancing our product portfolio through the development of new adhesive technologies and the enhancement of existing formulations. This position offers the opportunity to make a direct contribution to business growth by driving innovation, supporting manufacturing excellence, and delivering value for customers.

Role Accountabilities, Expectations, And Responsibilities

• Applied development of new and improved formulations, testing and manufacturing processes. Sources and investigates new raw materials and technologies for use in improving performance, quality and evaluation of formulations.
• Self manages product development and improvement activities to agreed deadlines using the in-house project management tools.
• Applied physical and materials testing of adhesive formulations to evaluate their application, performance, quality and stability e.g. through test specimen preparation, tensile testing, rheological evaluation, colorimetry.
• Proposition and introduction of new test equipment and test methods.
• Confers with scientists, engineers and customers/potential customers regarding research, field test results, and prepares technical papers and reports.
• Conveys technical ideas in written or verbal reports at a suitable level for the audience.
• Setting appropriate quality specifications for new products and transferal of technology from the NPD lab to the production plant.
• Operates comfortably in a chemical manufacturing environment while supporting and collaborating with Production, Quality, and Sales teams.
• Recommends improvements to facilities or processes. Implementation of new systems and procedures when required.
• Works to site health, safety, and quality standards. Proactive in reporting issues and making improvements. Controls chemical and process hazards in the laboratory and manufacturing plant following internal procedures. Maintains an efficient practical working environment.
• Carrying out all tasks in compliance with IPSA Quality Standards and ISO 9001.

Responsibilities may evolve in line with business requirements and organisational needs.

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements

• Degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Polymer Engineering, or a related scientific discipline, or equivalent industry experience.
• Minimum of five years\' experience in formulation development within adhesives, coatings, polymers, plastics, or related materials industries.
• Experience planning and delivering technical projects to agreed deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present technical information clearly to a range of audiences.
• Strong IT skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

Key Competencies

• Strong experimental/project planning and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to gather, interpret, and analyse technical data to support decision-making.
• Effective prioritisation, and workload management skills.
• Proactive and self-motivated, with the ability to work independently and use initiative.
• Collaborative approach with the ability to work effectively across Production, Quality, Sales, and other cross-functional teams.
• Clear and professional written and verbal communication skills.
• Attention to detail and a methodical approach to work.
• Adaptability and flexibility in responding to changing business and customer requirements.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and active participation in Kaizen and operational excellence initiatives.