Formulation & Coatings Specialist

We Are Zenith; North East; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

We Are Zenith is seeking a hands-on Formulation & Coating Specialist to join our client’s permanent team. This role blends polymer chemistry, precise processing, and continuous manufacturing to develop advanced adhesive systems for delicate substrates.

You will operate a high-accuracy roll-to-roll coating line, optimize coat weight, and ensure quality through mechanical tests and traceability of formulations and parameters.

Qualifications

• Strong background in epoxy and polyester adhesive development.
• Hands-on experience with slot-die, gravure, comma-bar, or similar continuous coating systems.
• Confident working with thin foils and high-performance films.
• Background in sectors with rigorous quality or regulatory expectations.

Responsibilities

• Develop epoxy- and polyester-based adhesive formulations to meet mechanical, thermal, and regulatory targets.
• Operate a continuous roll-based coating line, ensuring consistent coat weight and defect-free application.
• Manage web tension, line speed, curing conditions to avoid voids, tension lines, or uneven cure.
• Conduct mechanical and analytical tests to validate performance and ensure quality compliance.
• Document formulations, process parameters, and QC data with full traceability.

Skills

Polymer formulation

Epoxy adhesives

Roll-to-roll coating

Substrate handling

Process optimization

Tools

Slot-die coating

Gravure coating

Comma-bar coating

Job description

We are Zenith are currently supporting a client seeking a hands‑on Formulation & Coating Specialist to join their team on a permanent basis.

This role sits at the intersection of polymer chemistry, precision processing, and continuous manufacturing. You’ll be developing advanced adhesive systems, primarily epoxy and polyester and applying them to delicate foil and film substrates using a high‑accuracy roll‑to‑roll coating line. Ultimately, this is a great opportunity to become a trusted Advisor & Expert within the business.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

• Adhesive Formulation — Creating, modifying, and optimising epoxy‑and polyester‑based adhesive systems to meet demanding mechanical, thermal, and regulatory performance targets.
• Coating Line Operation — Setting up and running a continuous web‑based coating line, ensuring consistent coat weight and defect‑free application on thin substrates.
• Process Control & Optimisation — Managing web tension, handling, line speed, and curing conditions to eliminate issues such as voiding, tension lines, or uneven cure profiles.
• Quality & Testing — Carrying out mechanical and analytical tests (peel, immersion, bend, etc.) to validate performance and ensure compliance with strict quality frameworks.
• Technical Documentation — Recording formulations, process parameters, and QC data with full traceability.

Experience Required

• Polymer Formulation Experience — Strong background in epoxy and polyester adhesive development.
• Roll‑to‑Roll Coating Expertise — Hands‑on experience with slot‑die, gravure, comma‑bar, or similar continuous coating systems.
• Substrate Handling Skills — Confident working with thin foils and high‑performance films without damage or distortion.
• High‑Standards Environment — Background in sectors with rigorous quality or regulatory expectations (advanced manufacturing, automotive, electronics, engineered materials, etc.).