Senior Formulation Chemist

NCSL International; South Holland (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Gurtler Industries is seeking an experienced Senior Formulation Chemist to drive development of new chemical products and improve existing formulations. The role covers scale-up, production troubleshooting, and maintaining essential product documentation, including SDS and GHS-compliant labels.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in formulation/development, strong analytical and documentation skills, and experience with ISO quality systems in a chemical manufacturing setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or related field; 5+ years in formulation/development.
• Experience in chemical manufacturing and scale-up to production.
• Experience with SDS, GHS labeling, and ISO quality systems.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and documentation skills.
• U.S. work authorization required; no visa sponsorship provided.

Responsibilities

• Lead formulation and development of new chemical products.
• Improve existing formulations for performance, cost, stability, and manufacturability.
• Evaluate raw materials for performance, compatibility, and quality.
• Conduct lab testing, product evaluations, and benchmarking.
• Support scale-up from lab to production and troubleshoot issues.
• Maintain QC procedures, specs, and testing methods.
• Coordinate SDS and label updates with changes in formulations or suppliers.
• Provide technical support to Production, Sales, and customers.
• Maintain lab equipment and calibration schedules.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Communication

Documentation

SDS/GHS knowledge

Quality systems awareness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or related field

Master’s degree in Chemistry or related field

Tools

Laboratory equipment

Job description

Gurtler Industries is seeking an experienced Senior Formulation Chemist to support product development, quality, manufacturing, technical services, and product documentation within our specialty chemical manufacturing operations.

This is a hands-on role focused on developing and improving chemical products, supporting scale-up and production, troubleshooting formulation and quality issues, and managing key product documentation including Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and chemical product labels.

What You Will Do:

• Lead formulation and development of new chemical products
• Improve existing formulations for performance, stability, cost, and manufacturability
• Evaluate and test raw materials for performance, compatibility, and quality
• Conduct laboratory testing, product evaluations, and performance benchmarking
• Support scale-up from laboratory development through production
• Troubleshoot batch, formulation, production, and product-performance issues
• Maintain and improve quality control procedures, specifications, and testing methods
• Support compliance with ISO 9001 quality standards
• Manage the process for maintaining and updating Safety Data Sheets (SDS), GHS-compliant product labels, and related product documentation
• Coordinate SDS and label updates when formulations, raw materials, or suppliers change
• Provide technical support to Production, Sales, Technical Service, and customers
• Maintain laboratory equipment, calibration schedules, testing standards, and documentation

About Gurtler Industries

Gurtler Industries is a family-owned manufacturer of specialty chemicals and equipment serving the commercial laundry industry across North America. For more than 40 years, we have built our reputation around product quality, innovation, technical expertise, and long-term customer relationships.

What You Will Receive:

• $80,000 – $100,000 per year
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Paid holidays and vacation
• First-shift schedule
• Stable, family-owned company environment

Final compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and internal equity.

Qualified candidates who enjoy solving real-world chemical and manufacturing challenges and want to contribute to product innovation, quality, and technical excellence are encouraged to apply.

What We're Looking For:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific field
• 5+ years of relevant experience in chemical formulation, product development, or industrial chemistry
• Experience in a chemical manufacturing or industrial manufacturing environment
• Hands-on experience with R&D formulation and product development
• Experience with laboratory-to-production scale-up and production troubleshooting
• Strong knowledge of laboratory testing and analytical techniques
• Experience with quality control and ISO or comparable quality systems
• Experience working with or managing processes involving SDS, GHS chemical labeling, and product documentation
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and documentation skills
• Must be currently authorized to work in the United States. Gurtler Industries does not provide visa sponsorship or transfer sponsorship

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field
• Experience with specialty chemicals, detergents, surfactants, cleaning chemicals, or related formulated products
• Experience providing technical support within a manufacturing or customer-facing environment