Formulation Chemist

Talent Edge Recruiting; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

PTO + holidays

Career advancement

Job summary

Talent Edge Recruiting represents a fast-growing specialty chemical manufacturer seeking a Plant Manager to lead day-to-day operations onsite in Wisconsin. You will build and guide a hands-on production team, implement the first formal quality control function, and manage supplier relations while optimizing batch formulation tracking.

Ideal candidates have 8+ years in chemical manufacturing, strong Excel skills, and a proven ability to scale operations.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in chemical, resin, coatings, or composites manufacturing.
• Proven plant/operations leadership with hands-on approach.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree preferred; onsite work only.

Responsibilities

• Run day-to-day manufacturing across a multi-building facility with multiple lines.
• Build the plant's first formal quality control function from the ground up.
• Lead, develop, and grow a hands-on production team with planned hires as the plant scales.
• Manage supplier relationships and coordinate shipping/receiving and freight.
• Maintain Excel-based spreadsheets and formulas tracking batch components and formulations.
• Hands-on production support and problem solving in a growing plant.
• Learn chemistry and formulations with SME training during 6–8 month ramp-up.
• Resolve unpredictable, on-the-fly problems encountered in a growing operation.

Skills

People management

Operations leadership

Hands-on production

Excel formulas

Education

Bachelor's or Master's preferred

Tools

Excel

Job description

Our client is a fast-growing specialty chemical manufacturer that has pioneered a genuinely next-generation, environmentally advanced alternative to the legacy resin systems that have dominated coatings and composites manufacturing for decades — their resins are safer to work with, better for the planet, and built for where the industry is headed. Demand is outpacing what their current team can produce.

About the Role

This is a newly created role currently being managed by the company owner. Ownership is a small, hands‑on leadership team that wants a true operating partner to build and perfect scalable systems.

Responsibilities

• Running day‑to‑day manufacturing across a multi‑building production facility with multiple batch tanks and production lines
• Building the plant's first formal quality control function from the ground up
• Leading, developing, and growing a hands‑on production team, with more hires planned as the plant scales
• Managing supplier relationships and coordinating shipping/receiving and freight in and out of the facility
• Building and maintaining the Excel‑based spreadsheets and formulas that track batch components and formulations — and keeping them current as new formulations are developed
• Getting hands‑on with production alongside the team
• Learning the chemistry and batch‑formulation side over the first 6–8 months, with the current subject‑matter expert directly training them; no prior chemical‑formulation background required, though it's a major plus if they have one
• Being the person who solves the unpredictable, on‑the‑fly problems that come with running a growing plant.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of relevant experience in chemical, resin, coatings, or composites manufacturing (10–15 years ideal)
• Plant/operations management leadership experience is the priority — hands‑on formulation or chemistry background is a strong plus but not required; the right operator will be trained on the technical side
• Bachelors or Masters Degrees Preferred
• Able to work fully onsite (this is not a remote or hybrid position)
• Must be able to pass a background check and drug screening
• Proficient in Excel, including building and maintaining spreadsheet formulas
• Strong people‑management and interpersonal skills for leading a small, tight‑knit, highly individual team
• Comfortable in a hands‑on, floor‑based role, including regular standing, walking a multi‑building production facility, and light‑to‑moderate lifting

Pay range and compensation package

• $150,000–$200,000/year base, based on experience
• Eligible for a performance‑based annual bonus (individual contribution‑based)
• Schedule: 6:00 AM–3:00 PM, Monday–Friday — no weekends (only one Saturday worked company‑wide in the last 12 years)
• Structured 6–8 month ramp-up period to get the Plant Manager fully up to speed on the chemistry and formulation side
• Medical coverage with employer paying 100% of employee premiums and 50% of dependent premiums, including short‑and long‑term disability!
• PTO + 9 paid holidays annually (New Year's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving + the day after, and Christmas Day) — plus, when production schedules allow, additional paid days off around the December holidays
• A true family‑run culture where people are trusted to run their piece of the business
• Real advancement runway

Equal Opportunity Statement

Our client is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Background check required. This is not a remote position — this role requires the successful candidate to work onsite in the Sheboygan, WI area. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.