Senior Chemist, Industrial Applications - Paints & Coatings

Clariant Corporation; Mount Holly (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance

Paid Holidays

PTO with carry-over

Job summary

Clariant Corporation in Mount Holly, NC seeks a Senior Chemist to join the Industrial Applications team. Lead application development for paints and coatings, translate customer needs into innovative formulations, and collaborate across Sales, Marketing, and global R&D to drive commercialization.

You will design experiments, evaluate additives, benchmark products, mentor staff, and travel up to 30% to customer sites and international projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in chemistry or related field.
• 5+ years in paints/coatings; 7–10 years preferred.
• Strong knowledge of coatings chemistry and formulation principles.
• Experience communicating technical recommendations to customers.

Responsibilities

• Lead application development projects for paints and coatings, turning customer needs into product opportunities.
• Design and run lab experiments to evaluate performance and optimize formulations.
• Benchmark products against competitors and generate data for differentiation.
• Serve as technical contact for customers and sales teams, addressing challenges.
• Collaborate with Sales/Marketing and global R&D to support commercialization.
• Manage technical projects from requirements through development and commercialization.
• Coordinate testing with lab staff and mentor junior personnel.
• Present findings to customers and internal stakeholders; contribute to literature and events.
• Monitor regulatory trends and advance methods and workflows.

Skills

Coatings chemistry

Formulation principles

Laboratory testing

Project management

Customer-facing communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in chemistry

Tools

Laboratory equipment familiarity

Job description

Job ID: 41991 | Location: Mount Holly, North Carolina, USA | Work Model: Onsite

Clariant is seeking a Senior Chemist to join our Industrial Applications technical team in Mt. Holly, North Carolina, with a primary focus on Paints and Coatings. In this customer-facing role, you will lead application development, identify new product opportunities, and deliver technical solutions that address customer needs and support business growth. Working closely with Sales, Marketing, and global R&D teams, you will translate customer challenges into development projects, evaluate specialty additives in coating formulations, and support the commercialization of new solutions. Our portfolio includes wetting and dispersing agents, emulsifiers, surfactants, defoamers, surface modifiers, and other functional additives that improve coating processing, application, appearance, and performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead application development projects focused on paints and coatings, translating customer requirements and market needs into technical solutions and new product opportunities.
• Design and execute laboratory experiments to evaluate coating performance, optimize formulations, and demonstrate the benefits of Clariant's specialty additives.
• Benchmark Clariant products against competitive alternatives and generate technical data to support product differentiation and recommendations.
• Serve as a key technical contact for customers and commercial teams, independently investigating formulation and application challenges and recommending solutions.
• Partner with Sales and Marketing on customer visits, technical demonstrations, product evaluations, and customer trials to support new business development.
• Collaborate with global R&D teams to develop, evaluate, and adapt products for the Americas market and support commercialization.
• Independently manage technical projects from initial customer requirements through laboratory development, validation, and commercialization support.
• Coordinate laboratory testing with technicians and other team members, and provide technical guidance and mentoring to less experienced laboratory personnel.
• Present technical findings to customers and internal stakeholders, and contribute to product positioning, technical literature, customer presentations, and industry events.
• Monitor coatings technologies, regulatory trends, and emerging customer needs, and improve laboratory methods, application testing capabilities, and technical workflows.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or master's degree in chemistry or a related scientific field.
• Minimum of five years of relevant experience in the paints and coatings industry, preferably in application development, performance testing, or customer-facing technical service; seven to ten years preferred.
• Strong knowledge of coatings chemistry, formulation principles, application methods, performance testing, and characterization techniques. Experience with waterborne, architectural, or industrial coatings and functional additives such as surfactants, wetting agents, dispersants, or emulsifiers preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage technical development projects, troubleshoot customer challenges, and communicate technical recommendations.
• Strong collaboration and presentation skills required; experience supporting commercialization, working with international R&D teams, or mentoring junior technical personnel preferred.
• Ability to work on-site in Mt. Holly, North Carolina, in a hands-on laboratory environment and travel up to 30%, including customer visits and occasional international travel.

Whats in it for you?

• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurances
• Paid Holidays
• PTO time with a carry-over benefit
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Wellness Program
• EAP Program
• Spending and Savings Accounts
• Life/AD&D Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Online discount Mall
• Auto/Home Insurance
• Identity Theft Protection
• Legal Services Plan

Mahogany McClurkin

Talent Acquisition Partner, NORAM

[e-mail]

Clariant is a Swiss-based global specialty chemicals company, which is concentrated and developed in three business units: Care Chemicals, Catalysts and Adsorbents & Additives. Our purpose as a company is reflected in our tagline "Greater chemistry - between people and planet", which considers the principles of customer, innovation and people orientation, as well as a focus on creating solutions to foster sustainability in different industries by offering high-value and high-performance chemical specialties.

At Clariant, we believe that diversity, equity and inclusion are essential to our success. We strive to cultivate a workplace where all employees feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued. Our diverse workforce allows us to tap into a wealth of perspectives, experiences, and capabilities that drive innovation. We are committed to ensuring equal opportunities for professional growth and advancement across all levels of the organization, based on objective criteria and regardless of gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, religion, protected veteran status ,age, disability, sexual orientation or other aspects of diversity in accordance with the relevant governing laws. By bringing together talented individuals with diverse backgrounds and viewpoints, we gain the agility to meet the evolving needs of our global customers and communities. Join our team to help advance our mission of fostering a culture of belonging where everyone can thrive.

Clariant Corporation is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected Veteran status, or any other protected class as established by law.

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