Senior Formulation Chemist

Cranleigh STEM, Sustainability & SHEQ Recruitment; Manchester; On-site; GBP 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in the chemicals sector is on the lookout for a Senior Formulation Chemist to enhance their innovative technical team. This role is pivotal in developing and scaling advanced formulated products, particularly focusing on reactive polymer systems like silicones and polyurethanes. The ideal candidate will thrive in a hands-on lab environment, collaborating closely with manufacturing and commercial teams to deliver robust formulations. If you are passionate about chemistry and eager to contribute to cutting-edge product development, this is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact in a dynamic industry.

Benefits

Excellent company benefits

Qualifications

• Degree qualified in Chemistry or Polymer Science with proven formulation development experience.
• Strong knowledge of reactive polymer systems and excellent communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead formulation development projects and conduct laboratory experiments.
• Collaborate with teams to support scale-up and maintain safety standards.

Skills

Formulation Development

Reactive Polymer Systems

Laboratory Experimentation

Technical Data Analysis

Communication Skills

Project Management

Attention to Detail

Education

Degree in Chemistry

Degree in Polymer Science

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Cranleigh STEM is working with a leading Manchester-based chemicals manufacturer renowned for its innovation and technical expertise across a diverse range of industrial applications. As the business continues to grow, they are seeking a talented Senior Formulation Chemist to join their expanding technical team.

This role will play a key part in the development, testing and scale-up of advanced formulated products, with a strong emphasis on reactive polymer systems including silicones, polyurethanes (PU), and coatings. The successful candidate will be hands-on in the lab, while also working closely with manufacturing and commercial teams to ensure the successful delivery of technically robust, scalable formulations.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and deliver formulation development projects aligned with business priorities and customer requirements.
• Design and conduct laboratory experiments to optimise the performance, stability, and processing characteristics of new products.
• Analyse and interpret technical data to inform formulation decisions and next steps.
• Develop and refine test methods to evaluate key performance attributes.
• Collaborate with manufacturing and quality teams to support scale-up and process transfer activities.
• Liaise with raw material suppliers to explore new technologies and enhance product development capabilities.
• Oversee laboratory operations to ensure compliance with Health & Safety procedures and relevant regulations.
• Maintain clear, accurate records of development work and report progress to the Technical Manager and wider innovation team.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and provide technical support for quality-related investigations.
• Keep up to date with industry developments and emerging formulation trends.

Qualifications:

• Degree qualified in Chemistry, Polymer Science, or a closely related field.
• Proven experience in formulation development, ideally within an industrial R&D or technical service setting.
• Strong knowledge of reactive polymer systems such as silicones, polyurethanes, and hybrid chemistries.
• Proficient in designing and executing formulation trials and interpreting results.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work cross-functionally.
• Highly organised, with a proactive mindset and strong attention to detail.
• Experienced in maintaining laboratory safety standards and adhering to COSHH regulations.
• Competent user of MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Able to manage multiple priorities and work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Supervisory or project management experience.
• Expertise in scaling formulations from lab to production scale.
• Knowledge of functional performance testing relevant to reactive formulations.

£50k + excellent company benefits