Polymer Formulation Technologist

Cranleigh STEM & Sustainability Recruitment; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Early finish on Fridays

Job summary

Cranleigh STEM & Sustainability Recruitment is recruiting for a hands-on Polymer Formulation Technologist in Chinley, Derbyshire. You will develop and test formulations, scale from laboratory to larger batches, and support commercial delivery with Production, Quality and Sales teams.

The role focuses on practical formulation and material preparation, testing, scale-up and customer applications in an on-site environment.

Qualifications

• Hands-on formulation and product‑development experience in polymers or formulated materials.
• Experience with polymers, paints, coatings, adhesives or related materials.
• Ability to scale laboratory formulations into larger trials/manufacturing.
• Experience using mixers, blenders or similar preparation equipment.
• Exposure to mechanical, physical, rheological or thermal testing.
• Ability to interpret test results to improve formulations.

Responsibilities

• Develop, prepare and optimise polymer formulations.
• Produce laboratory batches using mixers and other preparation equipment.
• Scale formulations from 250 g to 3–4 kg batches.
• Support scale-up work at 25 kg and larger trials up to one tonne.
• Carry out and interpret mechanical and physical material testing.
• Use results to refine formulations and improve performance.
• Support projects from development to production and customer delivery.
• Collaborate with Production, Quality and Sales to meet targets.
• Investigate formulation, processing and customer‑related technical challenges.
• Support raw-material changes, product improvements and cost‑optimisation.

Skills

Hands-on formulation

Industrial experience

Polymers & coatings

Testing experience

Scale-up experience

Problem-solving

Education

Degree not essential

Tools

Mixers

Blenders

Job description

An established international manufacturer of specialist polymer compounds is looking for a hands‑on Polymer Formulation Technologist to join its technical team in Chinley, Derbyshire.

This is a practical product‑development role focused on developing, testing and scaling formulations for commercial applications. You will take projects from initial laboratory preparation through to production and customer trials, helping turn technical requirements into reliable, commercially viable products.

Direct PVC experience would be beneficial but is not essential. Relevant transferable backgrounds could include paints, coatings, polyurethane, rubber, elastomers, adhesives, sealants, masterbatch or other polymer-based materials.

The important thing is that you understand formulation: how raw materials can be combined and adjusted to achieve the required processing, physical and performance properties.

Responsibilities:

• Develop, prepare and optimise polymer formulations.
• Produce laboratory batches using mixers and other material‑preparation equipment.
• Scale formulations from approximately 250 g laboratory samples through to 3–4 kg batches.
• Support initial scale‑up work at approximately 25 kg and larger trials of up to one tonne.
• Carry out and interpret mechanical and physical material testing.
• Use testing and trial results to refine formulations and improve performance.
• Support projects from initial development through to production and customer delivery.
• Work closely with Production, Quality and Sales.
• Investigate formulation, processing and customer‑related technical challenges.
• Support raw‑material changes, product improvements and cost‑optimisation projects.
• Maintain accurate formulation data and technical documentation.
• Work with international technical teams and external test houses.
• Develop customer relationships and support product trials and applications.

Note:

This is not a wet‑chemistry or polymer‑synthesis position. The focus is on practical formulation, material preparation, testing, scale‑up and commercial delivery.

Requirements:

• Hands‑on industrial formulation or product‑development experience.
• Experience with polymers, paints, coatings, polyurethane, rubber, adhesives, sealants or another formulated material.
• An understanding of scaling laboratory formulations into larger trials or manufacturing.
• Experience using mixers, blenders or similar preparation equipment.
• Exposure to mechanical, physical, rheological or thermal testing.
• The ability to interpret test results and use them to improve a formulation.
• Strong practical problem‑solving skills.
• A proactive attitude, drive and willingness to learn.
• The ability to follow projects through from initial development to final delivery.
• Good communication and teamwork skills.
• The ability to work fully on‑site in Chinley.

PVC, polymer‑compounding, extrusion, SAP or customer‑facing technical experience would be advantageous, but training can be provided.

A degree is not essential. Relevant practical formulation and manufacturing experience will be valued more highly than a particular academic qualification.

Why apply?

• Own practical formulation and scale‑up projects.
• Remain hands‑on while developing broader technical responsibility.
• See your work progress from laboratory batches into commercial production.
• Build experience across formulation, testing, manufacturing and customer applications.
• Develop customer‑facing skills with the support of an experienced team.
• Join an established international materials manufacturer.
• Early finish every Friday.

Role:

Formulation Technologist

Location:

Chinley, Derbyshire ‘The site is accessible by car and has public‑transport links’

Salary:

£30,000–£40,000,

Working hours:

Monday–Thursday: 08:00–16:30 | Friday: 08:30–13:30 | 35 hours per week