Cranleigh STEM & Sustainability Recruitment
Polymer Formulation Technologist
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An established international manufacturer of specialist polymer compounds is looking for a hands-on Polymer Formulation Technologist to join its technical team in Chinley, Derbyshire.
This is a practical product-development role focused on developing, testing and scaling formulations for commercial applications. You will take projects from initial laboratory preparation through to production and customer trials, helping turn technical requirements into reliable, commercially viable products.
Direct PVC experience would be beneficial but is not essential. Relevant transferable backgrounds could include paints, coatings, polyurethane, rubber, elastomers, adhesives, sealants, masterbatch or other polymer-based materials.
The important thing is that you understand formulation: how raw materials can be combined and adjusted to achieve the required processing, physical and performance properties.
Responsibilities:
- Develop, prepare and optimise polymer formulations.
- Produce laboratory batches using mixers and other material-preparation equipment.
- Scale formulations from approximately 250 g laboratory samples through to 3–4 kg batches.
- Support initial scale-up work at approximately 25 kg and larger trials of up to one tonne.
- Carry out and interpret mechanical and physical material testing.
- Use testing and trial results to refine formulations and improve performance.
- Support projects from initial development through to production and customer delivery.
- Work closely with Production, Quality and Sales.
- Investigate formulation, processing and customer-related technical challenges.
- Support raw-material changes, product improvements and cost-optimisation projects.
- Maintain accurate formulation data and technical documentation.
- Work with international technical teams and external test houses.
- Develop customer relationships and support product trials and applications.
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Note: This is not a wet-chemistry or polymer-synthesis position. The focus is on practical formulation, material preparation, testing, scale-up and commercial delivery.
Requirements:
- Hands-on industrial formulation or product-development experience.
- Experience with polymers, paints, coatings, polyurethane, rubber, adhesives, sealants or another formulated material.
- An understanding of scaling laboratory formulations into larger trials or manufacturing.
- Experience using mixers, blenders or similar preparation equipment.
- Exposure to mechanical, physical, rheological or thermal testing.
- The ability to interpret test results and use them to improve a formulation.
- Strong practical problem-solving skills.
- A proactive attitude, drive and willingness to learn.
- The ability to follow projects through from initial development to final delivery.
- Good communication and teamwork skills.
- The ability to work fully on-site in Chinley.
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PVC, polymer-compounding, extrusion, SAP or customer-facing technical experience would be advantageous, but training can be provided.
A degree is not essential. Relevant practical formulation and manufacturing experience will be valued more highly than a particular academic qualification.
Why apply?
- Own practical formulation and scale-up projects.
- Remain hands-on while developing broader technical responsibility.
- See your work progress from laboratory batches into commercial production.
- Build experience across formulation, testing, manufacturing and customer applications.
- Develop customer-facing skills with the support of an experienced team.
- Join an established international materials manufacturer.
- Early finish every Friday.
Role: Formulation Technologist
Location: Chinley, Derbyshire 'The site is accessible by car and has public-transport links'
Salary: £30,000–£40,000
Working hours: Monday–Thursday: 08:00–16:30 | Friday: 08:30–13:30 | 35 hours per week
If you have hands-on formulation experience and want to take products from the lab through to commercial scale, apply today or contact me directly: lewis@cranleighstem.co.uk.
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