R&D Manager - Adhesives

Warrington
3 months ago
Applications closed

Related Jobs

View all jobs

R&D Manager

R&D Manager

Research & Development Manager

Research & Development Manager

New Product Innovation Manager

Materials Engineer

Are you ready to lead innovation in adhesives and sealants?
Do you have the technical expertise to turn complex challenges into breakthrough solutions?
Can you combine hands-on lab work with strategic project leadership?
The Opportunity
Join a leading engineering consultancy at the forefront of polymer technology. This is your chance to drive technical innovation and customer-focused solutions in the adhesives and sealants market, working on projects that shape the future of advanced materials.
We would also welcome applications from candidates in polymer manufacturing, chemical engineering, coatings, composites, or specialty chemicals.
This role would suit candidates working as Technical Service Manager, Application Development Manager, Polymer Chemist, Adhesives Specialist, R&D Manager, Innovation Manager, Technical Project Lead, Formulation Chemist, Product Development Manager, or Laboratory Manager.
Your duties and responsibilities will be

  • Lead innovation projects to develop new adhesive and sealant technologies using advanced polymer materials.
  • Oversee laboratory operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality experimental work.
  • Translate customer and market needs into technical solutions and manage associated projects.
  • Provide technical expertise at customer meetings and create technical marketing content.
  • Supervise and mentor laboratory staff, fostering a culture of safety and continuous improvement.
    You will have the following qualifications and experience
  • Degree (BSc, MSc, or PhD) in Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, or Chemical Engineering.
  • Significant industrial experience in polyurethane adhesive formulation and testing.
  • Strong knowledge of analytical techniques and polymer physical testing methods.
  • Proven ability to manage projects and lead technical teams effectively.
  • Practical understanding of laboratory safety standards and regulatory compliance (REACH, COSHH).
    Get in touch now
    If you're seeking a new opportunity and think you have the skills and experience we are looking for, then apply now or contact Chris Hill.
    Millbank Holdings Ltd is an equal opportunities employer committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workforce. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, regardless of background, and encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.
    We are proud to be a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, and we are committed to ensuring an accessible and supportive recruitment process for everyone. If you require any adjustments at any stage, please let us know and we’ll do our best to accommodate.
    Millbank operates as both an Employment Agency and an Employment Business

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

How Many Materials Science Tools Do You Need to Know to Get a Materials Science Job?

If you’re navigating the materials science job market, it can feel like the list of tools, techniques and platforms you should learn grows every week. One job advert mentions electron microscopy, another mentions X-ray diffraction, yet another wants experience with thermal analysis, spectroscopy, simulation software, statistical packages, manufacturing QA systems and more. With so many specialised methods and instruments, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed — and to start thinking you need to know everything just to be considered. Here’s the honest truth most materials science hiring managers won’t tell you directly: 👉 They don’t hire you because you know every piece of equipment or software. They hire you because you can use the tools you do know to answer real questions, make reliable measurements and communicate results clearly. Tools are essential — no question — but they are secondary to problem-solving ability, scientific reasoning and experimental rigour. So the real question is: how many materials science tools do you actually need to know to get a job? The precise number depends on the role you want, but for most job seekers the answer is far fewer than you think. This article breaks down what employers really value, which tools are core, which are role-specific, and how to focus your learning so your CV and interviews stand out for the right reasons.

What Hiring Managers Look for First in Materials Science Job Applications (UK Guide)

Materials science is a broad, interdisciplinary field that spans academia, industry, research, engineering and manufacturing. Whether you’re applying for roles in R&D, process development, quality assurance, failure analysis, nanomaterials or product scale-up, hiring managers make key decisions within the first few seconds of scanning your application. In competitive job markets, simply listing skills or qualifications isn’t enough. Hiring managers are looking for signals of relevance, technical depth, problem-solving capability and real-world impact — and they expect those signals to be clear right from the top of your CV or portfolio. This guide breaks down exactly what hiring managers typically look for first in materials science applications, why they look for it, and how you can optimise your CV, cover letter and portfolio so your application stands out and gets past the first filter.

The Skills Gap in Materials Science Jobs: What Universities Aren’t Teaching

Materials science sits at the heart of innovation — from sustainable energy and advanced manufacturing to aerospace, electronics, healthcare and beyond. It is an interdisciplinary field combining physics, chemistry, engineering and applied science to design and improve materials that power modern technology. Despite the clear strategic importance of materials science, employers across the UK report persistent challenges hiring graduates who are truly job-ready. Organisations need professionals who can contribute immediately to research, development, manufacturing, quality control and product scale-up — yet many recent graduates struggle to bridge the gap between academic preparation and workplace demands. This gap is not caused by a lack of intelligence or enthusiasm. It is a growing skills gap between what universities teach and what real materials science jobs require. This article explores the materials science skills gap in depth: what universities teach well, what they often miss, why the gap exists, what employers want, and how aspiring professionals can bridge the divide to build successful careers in this vital UK industry.