NPD Chemist

SRG; Willenhall; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working hours

Annual bonus

Healthcare cash plan

Strong pension

Job summary

SRG is seeking an NPD Chemist to lead product and process development from ideation to commercial launch in Cheshire East. You will own a portfolio of development activities, manage trials, and coordinate input from suppliers and internal teams.

The role requires a chemistry or materials science degree and proven industrial experience in product development, R&D or process development. Strong communication and analytical skills are essential for success.

Qualifications

• Proven industrial experience in product development, R&D or process development.
• Experience managing projects from concept through to commercial launch.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities with commercial awareness.
• Excellent communication with customers, suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Experience in coatings, adhesives, paper, film or related materials manufacturing is desirable.
• Formulation experience is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Manage, plan and execute product and process development projects from ideation through to commercial launch.
• Deliver sales growth through development of new and improved products.
• Assess new product ideas including costs, benefits, resources and timescales.
• Plan and prioritise development activities to ensure on‑time delivery.
• Report progress and provide technical recommendations and go/no‑go proposals.
• Coordinate laboratory work, production trials and scale‑up activities.
• Manage NPD projects through to full production implementation.
• Engage suppliers, test houses and academic partners to support development.
• Share learnings and project outcomes across the business.
• Provide technical support relating to specifications, material changes, customer complaints and troubleshooting.

Skills

Project management

R&D

Formulation

Analytical skills

Communication

Problem-solving

Education

Degree in Chemistry or Materials Science

Job description

New Product Development (NPD) Chemist

Location: Cheshire East

Salary: £40,000 - £46,000 (dependent on experience)

Term: Permanent

SRG are working with a highly successful company that develop and manufacture a range of specialist coated products. They are now seeking a New Product Development Chemist to join their technical team in Cheshire East on a permanent basis. This role is designed for someone with proven experience of managing development projects from concept through to commercial launch and will involve taking ownership of a portfolio of new product and process development activities to support business growth. This role will suit candidates with recent and proven industrial experience in product development, project management and formulation, as well as being comfortable working with customers, suppliers and internal stakeholders. Experience within coatings, adhesives, paper or film manufacturing is desirable but not essential.

Benefits

• Joining a highly successful, employee-owned business that values employees. Flexible working hours, annual bonus, healthcare cash plan and strong pension.

Role/Description

• Manage, plan and execute product and process development projects from ideation through to commercial launch.
• Deliver sales growth through the development of new and improved products.
• Assess new product ideas and opportunities, including costs, benefits, resourcing requirements and timescales.
• Plan and prioritise development activities to ensure projects are delivered on time.
• Report project progress and provide clear technical recommendations and go/no-go proposals.
• Coordinate and support laboratory work, production trials and scale-up activities.
• Manage NPD projects through to full production implementation.
• Identify and engage with suppliers, consultants, test houses and academic partners to support development activities.
• Share technical learning and project outcomes across the wider business.
• Provide technical support relating to specifications, material changes, customer complaints and operational troubleshooting.

Requirements

• Degree in Chemistry, Materials Science or a related scientific discipline.
• Proven industrial experience within product development, R&D or process development.
• Experience managing projects from concept through to commercial launch.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to assess opportunities technically and commercially.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work effectively with customers, suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Experience within coatings, adhesives, paper, film or a related materials manufacturing environment is desirable.
• Formulation experience is highly desirable.

Keywords: new product development, NPD, research and development, R&D, chemist, development chemist, coatings, adhesives, paper, film, product development, process development, formulation, formulating, project management, innovation, scale-up, commercialisation, technical support, specifications, materials science, chemistry, chemicals, laboratory, manufacturing, trials, product launch.