Chemist/Manager

CPS Inc.; Crestwood (MO); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Paid time off (PTO)

401k retirement plan

Job summary

CPS Inc. in Crestwood, MO is seeking the first dedicated Chemist to support an expanding automotive care product line. You will help bring formulation and production in-house, develop and optimize auto appearance products, and build the laboratory and manufacturing infrastructure for future growth.

Lead formulation development, evaluate raw materials, and document procedures to ensure scalable production. This role offers growth into leading a technical team as the operation expands.

Qualifications

• Degree in Chemistry or related field preferred; strong industry experience may substitute.
• 5+ years of industry experience preferred; automotive care/appearance experience strongly preferred.
• Experience in automotive care/auto appearance formulations is strongly preferred.
• Ability to troubleshoot formulation and manufacturing issues; independent work style.

Responsibilities

• Lead the formulation and development of automotive care products.
• Bring formulation and product development in-house from contract manufacturers.
• Develop, modify, optimize, and troubleshoot formulations.
• Support blending, filling, packaging, and production processes.
• Establish processes for an in-house laboratory and production operation.
• Determine equipment needs and capital purchase recommendations.
• Work with vendors during transition to in-house production.
• Troubleshoot production and product-quality issues.
• Support scale-up from lab formulations to commercial production.
• Build infrastructure to support future growth.
• Provide technical guidance as capabilities expand.
• Potentially lead a technical/laboratory team.

Skills

Analytical skills

Independent worker

Strong communication

Problem-solving

Education

Degree in Chemistry or related field

5+ years of industry experience

Tools

Blending equipment knowledge

Filling & packaging processes

Laboratory equipment setup

Job description

Base salary $100,000-$130,000

Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, PTO, 401k.

Join a growing organization as the first dedicated Chemist supporting an expanding automotive care product line.

This is a unique opportunity to bring formulation and production capabilities in-house, develop and optimize auto appearance products, help build the laboratory and manufacturing infrastructure, and potentially grow into leading a technical team.

Requirements

• Degree in Chemistry or a related scientific field preferred; strong industry experience may substitute for a degree 5+ years of industry experience preferred, with flexibility based on overall experience Direct experience formulating automotive care/auto appearance products strongly preferred Strong hands-on formulation development experience Knowledge of blending, filling, and packaging Understanding of raw materials, formulation adjustments, and product performance Ability to troubleshoot formulation and manufacturing issues Comfortable working independently and taking ownership of a laboratory/formulation function Strong organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills Ability to help determine equipment, processes, and resources required for in-house production Experience working with contract manufacturers is a plus

Job Duties

• Lead the formulation and development of automotive care products.
• Bring formulation and product development capabilities in-house from existing contract manufacturing relationships.
• Develop, modify, optimize, and troubleshoot formulations.
• Support products across car wash, detailing, cleaning, polishing, protection, and treatment categories.
• Evaluate raw materials and formulation components to achieve targeted product performance.
• Develop and document formulation procedures and specifications.
• Support blending, filling, packaging, and production processes.
• Establish processes and procedures for an in-house laboratory and production operation.
• Determine laboratory, production, and testing equipment needs and provide recommendations for capital purchases.
• Work with vendors and manufacturing partners during the transition to in-house production.
• Troubleshoot production and product-quality issues.
• Support scale-up from laboratory formulations to commercial production.
• Establish appropriate testing and quality-control procedures.
• Work closely with operations and management to build the infrastructure needed for future growth.
• Provide technical guidance as formulation and production capabilities expand.
• Potentially build and lead a technical/laboratory team as the operation grows.
• Help guide the company on the technical resources and capabilities needed to support continued growth.