Graduate Chemist

Potter & Moore; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary & benefits

Dynamic work environment

Career growth

Inclusive culture

Impactful work

Job summary

Potter and Moore Plc is seeking a proactive Graduate Chemist to join our R&D team, guiding technical projects that bring high-performance skincare and personal care products to life.

You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, attend NPD meetings, and help develop safe, compliant formulations while balancing innovation with regulatory and customer requirements.

Qualifications

• Degree in Cosmetic Science, Chemistry or related field.
• Hands-on skincare/personal care formulation experience.
• Strong communication and project management skills.
• Detail-oriented with ability to balance innovation and compliance.
• Collaborative problem-solving mindset and passion for product development.

Responsibilities

• Attend NPD meetings and track actions.
• Maintain open communication with the technical team.
• Develop safe, compliant skincare and personal care formulations.
• Liaise with Customers and the Business Development Teams.
• Generate prototypes for Business Development Teams.
• Review test data and update reports.
• Approve stability testing and coordinate with chemists.
• Coordinate visits with raw material and perfume suppliers.
• Train staff in daily lab operations.
• Ensure ongoing maintenance of laboratory equipment.
• Validate approved formulations before production.
• Attend seminars related to product development.
• Maintain excellent housekeeping.

Skills

Skincare formulation

Project management

Communication

Education

Cosmetic Science or Chemistry degree

Tools

Lab Equipment

Job description

Potter and Moore Plc is a UK-based beauty and wellbeing brand owner and manufacturer listed on the AIM market, combining brand ownership with large-scale manufacturing expertise. The company operates two manufacturing sites in Peterborough and Tiverton, employs roughly 380 people, and produces more than 44 million units each year across personal care, haircare, skincare, and baby care categories.

The group generates revenue through two primary channels: its portfolio of owned brands, including Emma Hardie, Feather & Down, The Curl Company, and Balance Active Formula, alongside private label manufacturing for leading retail partners. Complementing these core activities, Potter and Moore also provide selected contract manufacturing services. Through this diversified model, the business supplies major retailers and premium beauty brands across both UK and International markets.

Role Description:

Are you passionate about innovation and skincare? Do you thrive on transforming ideas into cutting-edge, cost-effective products? If so, we’d love to hear from you. We’re looking for a proactive and creative Graduate Chemist to join our dynamic R&D team. In this exciting role, you'll manage technical projects that bring high-performance skincare and personal care products to life.

Key Responsibilities:

• Attending NPD meetings and ensuring all actions are complete or issues flagged to the team.
• Ensuring good and open communication with the technical team.
• Developing safe, legal skin care and personal care products, which meet our customer requirements.
• Liaising with Customers and the Business Development Teams.
• Generating new product development prototypes for the Business Development Teams.
• Reviewing technical data arising from test discrepancies carried out within the department and update reports.
• Approving the stability testing on all skin care products and liaising with chemists regarding results and issues (Senior Chemists).
• Dealing with representatives from raw material and perfume companies and approving / monitoring visits.
• Carrying out the training and development of staff involved in the daily running of the department (Senior chemists)
• Ensuring routine maintenance of laboratory equipment is carried out.
• Ensuring that approved formulations are validated, prior to production.
• Attending seminars associated with product development.
• Ensuring excellent housekeeping at all times.

Candidate Description:

Scientific degree in a related field e.g. Cosmetic Science, Chemistry or similar.

Hands-on experience in skincare or personal care formulation.

Strong communication and project management skills.

A detail-oriented mindset with the ability to balance innovation and compliance.

A collaborative, problem-solving attitude and a passion for product development.

What We Can Offer You:

• Competitive Salary & Benefits: We believe in rewarding the hard work and dedication of our employees with a comprehensive compensation package. Our standard benefits include Life Assurance, Employee Assistance Programme, Employee Benefits Platform to name a few.
• Dynamic Work Environment: Be part of a vibrant, collaborative team where innovation and creativity are encouraged.
• Career Growth: Take advantage of clear career pathways, mentorship opportunities, and the chance to take on new challenges and responsibilities.
• Inclusive Culture:Join a diverse and inclusive workplace where different perspectives are valued, and everyone is treated with respect and dignity.
• Impactful Work: Contribute to meaningful projects that have a real impact on our customers, community, and industry.