Coatings Development Manager

About the role

We are looking for a Coatings Development Manager to lead a dedicated team in creating innovative coating products. The role combines technical expertise with leadership, representing the department both internally and with external stakeholders.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and inspire the coatings development team, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
• Oversee the design and optimisation of coating formulations for targeted markets, ensuring alignment with customer needs and regulatory requirements.
• Represent the department at internal meetings, customer visits, technical forums and industry events.
• Manage multiple development projects, controlling resources, budgets, CAPEX and ensuring safety, quality and sustainability standards are met.
• Maintain a safe, efficient laboratory environment and supervise the team’s HSE compliance.
• Collaborate with Commercial, Procurement, Operations, Quality and Health & Safety functions to drive successful product commercialisation.
• Monitor industry trends, emerging technologies and competitor activity to inform strategic direction.

Required profile

• Degree in Chemistry, Polymer Science or a related scientific discipline.
• Proven stakeholder management experience across local, global, internal and external parties.
• Strong project‑management capability, guiding new products through a stage‑gated process.
• Excellent communication skills, able to convey complex technical concepts clearly.
• Experience in industrial coatings development and familiarity with global regulatory frameworks such as REACH.

Required skills

• Coatings chemistry
• REACH regulatory compliance

What we offer

• Competitive salary range of £50,000‑£65,000 per year.
• Opportunity to lead a high‑performing technical team.
• Professional development and mentorship for chemists.
• Engagement with cutting‑edge technologies in the coatings sector.