NPD Chemist

New Product Development Chemist

• Annual Salary: £40,000 - £46,000
• Location: Cheshire
• Job Type: Full-time

Join a leading creative and environmentally responsible company in the coatings industry, where innovation meets sustainability. We are looking for an experienced NPD Chemist to take products from ideation through to commercial launch. This role offers the opportunity to manage your own portfolio of development projects, contributing directly to strategic growth plans.

Day-to-day of the role:

• Manage, plan, and execute product and process development projects from ideation to commercial launch.
• Assess new product ideas and opportunities, including deliverables, timescales, benefits, resource requirements, and costs.
• Plan and prioritise development work to meet agreed timescales, managing and prioritising technical requests to support the wider NPD team.
• Report on project progress, making and communicating clear go/no-go proposals.
• Plan and support trials and manage NPD through to full production.
• Identify and engage with external sources of expertise, including suppliers, consultants, test houses, and academia.
• Share learning and insights from development projects across the business.
• Provide technical support to the wider business on specifications, material changes, customer complaints, and operational problem solving.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Solid experience in product or process development within coatings, paper, film, chemicals, or a related manufacturing environment.
• Confident managing development projects end-to-end, from concept through to commercial launch.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess opportunities commercially as well as technically.
• Clear communicator, comfortable presenting proposals and working with customers, suppliers, and internal teams.
• Degree or relevant qualification in Chemistry or Material Science.
• Proven experience in laboratory testing, R&D, QC, or technical services.
• Knowledge of the coatings, adhesives, paper, or film industry.
• Formulating experience is also highly desirable.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and discretionary annual employee bonus.
• Company pension scheme.
• Access to our healthcare cash plan.
• Learning and development opportunities to support your growth.
• Free onsite parking.
• Flexitime.
• Sick pay.

To apply for this NPD Chemist position, please submit your CV and cover letter detailing your relevant experience and why you are interested in this position.