Technical Development Manager - maternity cover contract (Leeds)

Key Appointments UK Ltd; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK-based chemicals distributor is seeking a Technical Development Manager for their Personal Care division on a maternity cover contract. This role involves leading technical development projects, supporting innovation, and engaging with customers. The ideal candidate will have a degree in Life Sciences and experience in personal care formulation and the chemical industry. The position offers flexible working hours and a generous holiday allowance, along with professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowance

Flexible working hours

Professional development

Mental health support

Physical wellbeing initiatives

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Life Sciences degree

Experience in personal care formulation

Strong communication skills

Presentation skills

Excellent organizational abilities

Time-management abilities

Strategic mindset

Customer-first approach

Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Full, clean UK driving licence

Education

Degree in Life Sciences

Job description

Location

LS1 4BA, Leeds, West Yorkshire, Yorkshire, UK Technical Development Manager - Personal Care Full-Time - Maternity Cover Contract Home-Based with Regular Travel - East Midlands / East Anglia / Greater London (Graduate Visa applicants can be considered for this contract)

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

You will : 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.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

Must-have

• 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 othersUnderstanding of manufacturing processes

WHAT'S ON OFFER

• 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

A BIT ABOUT THE COMPANY

Our client is a UK‑based chemicals distributor with a strong European presence, supplying raw materials used in everyday consumer products - from skincare and haircare to pharmaceuticals and cleaning solutions.

They are known for their friendly culture, technical expertise and commitment to supporting the development of next‑generation formulations. As part of a wider group, they foster innovation, collaboration and inclusion across the business.

TO APPLY

Please apply with a CV that displays your suitability for the role.

If shortlisted, our client will contact you to discuss the role and your experience further.

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.

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.