Development Chemist, Leeds area

Elevation Recruitment Group are supporting a specialist manufacturer in the search for a Development Chemist to join their growing R&D team in Leeds.

This is an excellent opportunity for a hands-on formulation chemist who enjoys taking products from concept through to manufacture while working on innovative industrial products. Alongside formulation and laboratory development, this role will play an important part in packaging development, ensuring products are compatible with packaging formats and meet evolving sustainability and regulatory requirements.

Working within a collaborative R&D environment, you'll support a variety of development projects across multiple product ranges, working closely with technical, commercial and manufacturing teams both in the UK and internationally.

Key responsibilities as a Development Chemist

• Develop and optimise formulations from concept through laboratory testing to production scale-up.

• Design and carry out laboratory experiments, analysing results and recommending formulation improvements.

• Support product transfer into manufacturing, ensuring formulations are robust and production ready.

• Act as the technical lead for packaging-related queries, assessing product compatibility, pack formats and material selection.

• Work with suppliers, external laboratories and internal stakeholders to deliver development projects and technical investigations.

• Troubleshoot product performance issues and support continuous improvement across products, processes and laboratory practices.

• Ensure all work is completed in line with quality, regulatory and health & safety requirements.

What we are looking for from you:

• Degree qualified in Chemistry or a related scientific discipline.

• At least five years' experience in formulation or development chemistry within lubricants, coatings, speciality chemicals, industrial chemicals or another transferable formulation environment.

• Experience developing formulations and interpreting laboratory data to support product development decisions.

• Knowledge or experience of packaging materials, product compatibility or packaging development would be highly advantageous.

• Understanding of laboratory quality systems, COSHH and safe laboratory practices.

• Comfortable working with cross-functional teams including Operations, Commercial, Procurement and external suppliers.

• A practical, inquisitive approach with strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and a passion for developing new products.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join an innovative manufacturing business where you'll have the opportunity to work on technically challenging projects, broaden your expertise across formulation and packaging development, and contribute to products supplied to customers across international markets.

To find out more, apply today or contact for a confidential discussion.