Technical Development Manager

Tetra Tech, Inc.; Heybridge; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading chemicals distributor is seeking a Technical Development Manager for their Personal Care division on a maternity cover contract. The ideal candidate will lead technical development projects, engage with customers, and support R&D teams. Applicants should have a degree in Life Sciences and experience in personal care formulation, along with strong communication skills. A full, clean UK driving license is required. This role offers generous benefits including flexible and hybrid working options.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowance with buy/sell scheme

Flexible working hours

Hybrid working

Professional development and internal career programmes

Mental health support including free counselling

Physical wellbeing initiatives

Qualifications

• Proven experience in personal care formulation and the chemical industry.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Strategic mindset with a strong customer-first approach.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical development projects for personal care customers.
• Work closely with R&D teams, providing support from concept to approval.
• Deliver technical presentations and participate in joint customer visits.

Skills

Life Sciences degree

Experience in personal care formulation

Strong communication skills

Organizational abilities

Customer-first approach

Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Education

Degree in Life Sciences

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

We are recruiting on behalf of a leading chemicals distributor for a Technical Development Manager to join their Personal Care division on a maternity cover contract.

• Are you passionate about innovation in personal care formulations?
• Do you thrive in customer-facing roles where technical expertise meets commercial impact?
• Are you based in or willing to travel throughout the East of England, East Midlands, East Anglia, and London area?

This role would suit someone who enjoys combining formulation expertise with customer engagement, supporting innovation for well‑known personal care brands.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING

• Lead and manage technical development projects with personal care customers.
• Work closely with R&D teams, providing support from concept through to approval.
• Deliver internal and external technical presentations.
• Undertake joint customer visits with account managers and suppliers.
• Support formulation development in the application lab.
• Provide troubleshooting advice for formulation and manufacturing issues.
• Maintain KPIs, visit schedules and sales opportunity pipelines.
• Build strong and collaborative relationships with stakeholders.

Key Appointments UK Ltd will assess your suitability for the role based on the information contained in your CV and application. This includes skills, experience, education, and location.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Degree in Life Sciences
• Experience in personal care formulation and the chemical industry
• Strong communication and presentation skills
• Excellent organisational and time‑management abilities
• Strategic mindset with a customer‑first approach
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Full, clean UK driving licence

NICE‑TO‑HAVE

• Commercial awareness
• Experience managing or mentoring others
• Understanding of manufacturing processes

BENEFITS

• Generous holiday allowance with buy/sell scheme
• Flexible working hours
• Hybrid working
• Professional development and internal career programmes
• Mental health support including free counselling
• Physical wellbeing initiatives

By applying for this role, you give consent for your CV to be processed by Key Appointments for recruitment purposes only. Our full Privacy Policy is available at key-appointments. Unfortunately, due to the number of applications we receive, we are unable to provide specific feedback if your application is unsuccessful. We will endeavour to provide an outcome as soon as possible.