Formulation Chemist

Atrium Staffing; Nutley (NJ); On-site; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

401(K) plan with company match

PTO and holidays

On-site fitness center

Job summary

Atrium Staffing is assisting a well-established manufacturer of custom adhesives in Nutley, NJ, seeking a Formulation Chemist. This hands-on role supports the development, testing, and commercialization of polymers, laminates, films, adhesives, coatings, and related materials.

You will work independently and with cross-functional teams to advance product formulations. Qualified candidates have 1–2 years in a lab or manufacturing setting and FTIR experience.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years relevant lab, manufacturing, materials testing, and/or formulation experience.
• Proficiency in FTIR spectroscopy.
• Ability to follow complex written procedures, manage multiple assignments, and communicate technical findings clearly.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and prepare small-scale laboratory formulations for polymers, laminates, films, adhesives, coatings, and related materials in accordance with established product requirements and specifications.
• Evaluate raw materials, intermediate materials, and finished products through a range of physical, chemical, analytical, and functional testing methods.
• Utilize FTIR and other applicable laboratory techniques to assess material composition and product characteristics.
• Provide technical support during laboratory, pilot, and manufacturing-scale trials, including coating, laminating, converting, and associated processing activities.
• Assist with material qualification, evaluation of substitute raw materials, technical troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and ongoing product enhancement initiatives.
• Work cross-functionally with Product and Process Development, Sales, Customer-facing teams, Mixing, Operations, and other internal groups to support development activities and resolve technical issues.
• Maintain thorough laboratory records, including experimental procedures, test data, observations, findings, and recommendations.
• Evaluate SDS information and adhere to established requirements for chemical storage, handling, PPE, waste disposal, and general laboratory safety.
• Produce and condition samples for internal testing, customer assessments, manufacturing trials, and third-party laboratory analysis.
• Conduct applicable mechanical and performance evaluations, including tensile, adhesion, flexibility, and related testing, to assess product functionality and processing characteristics.
• Research and characterize competitive products and materials to support new product development and technical strategy while appropriately protecting proprietary and confidential information.
• Consistently follow applicable quality systems, laboratory practices, safety procedures, and other established operational requirements.

Skills

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Organization

Problem solving

Communication

Procedural compliance

Multi-tasking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or related

Tools

FTIR spectroscopy

Job description

Client Overview:

Our client is a well-established manufacturer of custom adhesives. They value candidates who are upbeat, willing to contribute ideas, and eager to grow and succeed long-term. They are currently seeking a Formulation Chemist.

Salary/Hourly Rate:

$75k - $85k

Position Overview:

Reporting to the Manager of R&D, the Formulation Chemist supports the development, testing, and commercialization of various products including polymers, laminates, films, adhesives, coatings, and related materials. This role is highly hands-on and ideal for someone who can work independently with minimal supervision while also collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities of the Formulation Chemist:

• Develop and prepare small-scale laboratory formulations for polymers, laminates, films, adhesives, coatings, and related materials in accordance with established product requirements and specifications.
• Evaluate raw materials, intermediate materials, and finished products through a range of physical, chemical, analytical, and functional testing methods.
• Utilize FTIR and other applicable laboratory techniques to assess material composition and product characteristics.
• Provide technical support during laboratory, pilot, and manufacturing-scale trials, including coating, laminating, converting, and associated processing activities.
• Assist with material qualification, evaluation of substitute raw materials, technical troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and ongoing product enhancement initiatives.
• Work cross-functionally with Product and Process Development, Sales, Customer-facing teams, Mixing, Operations, and other internal groups to support development activities and resolve technical issues.
• Maintain thorough laboratory records, including experimental procedures, test data, observations, findings, and recommendations.
• Evaluate SDS information and adhere to established requirements for chemical storage, handling, PPE, waste disposal, and general laboratory safety.
• Produce and condition samples for internal testing, customer assessments, manufacturing trials, and third-party laboratory analysis.
• Conduct applicable mechanical and performance evaluations, including tensile, adhesion, flexibility, and related testing, to assess product functionality and processing characteristics.
• Research and characterize competitive products and materials to support new product development and technical strategy while appropriately protecting proprietary and confidential information.
• Consistently follow applicable quality systems, laboratory practices, safety procedures, and other established operational requirements.

Required Experience/Skills for the Formulation Chemist:

• 1 - 2 years of relevant laboratory, manufacturing, materials testing, and/or formulation experience.
• Proficiency in FTIR spectroscopy.
• Strong analytical judgment, attention to detail, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to follow complex written procedures, manage multiple assignments, and communicate technical findings clearly and effectively.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word.

Preferred Experience/Skills for the Formulation Chemist:

• Experience with adhesive and performance testing, including tensile, shear, thickness, viscosity, and related evaluations.
• Familiarity with formulating polymers, laminates, films, adhesives, coatings, and related materials.
• Skilled in competitive product analysis, material characterization, formulation troubleshooting, or reverse engineering while maintaining product complexity.
• Experience with statistical analysis.
• Experience with documented quality systems such as ISO or GMP.

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related discipline is required.

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(K) plan with company match.
• PTO, including paid vacation days, sick days, and holidays.
• Access to an on-site fitness center.

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