Formulations Chemist

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This range is provided by LHH. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Formulations Chemist

Are you ready to take your formulation expertise to the next level in a collaborative, innovative environment? An industry-leading manufacturer of high-quality paints and industrial coatings, serving automotive, machinery, furniture, and diverse industrial sectors, is seeking a hands-on Chemist for its Flat Rock, MI facility. This position offers the chance to create both custom and ready-to-use coating solutions, contribute to new product development, and troubleshoot existing formulas.

If you thrive on experimentation, teamwork, and driving product excellence, we want to hear from you.

• Schedule:
  
  Standard business hours, Monday through Friday, 8am–5pm
• Salary: $55,000–$65,000 per year
• Monthly Production Bonus:
  Up to $3,600 annually
• Benefits begin on your first day of employment
• Paid Vacation: 2–3 weeks per year
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
• Life & Disability Insurance
• Direct Deposit & biweekly payroll

As Chemist, you will be at the forefront of formulation and quality improvement efforts. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys both independent problem-solving and working within a small, agile team. You will lead new product and formula development projects, extend product lines, and ensure the highest standards in coating performance. Your impact will be felt from raw material selection through application testing and production quality control.

• Lead formulation projects from concept to completion, including raw material selection, sample preparation, application testing, and data analysis, in alignment with key stakeholders’ objectives (Sales, Product Management, Operations).
• Document results accurately and communicate findings effectively to internal and external partners, with a focus on problem-solving and recommending next steps based on data.
• Collaborate with vendors to request raw material samples and obtain recommendations for innovative solutions.
• Serve as a technical resource, maintaining strong communication with team members and customers throughout each project phase.
• Proactively manage raw material alternatives and support consolidation initiatives to optimize product performance and cost.
• Oversee daily production quality control, including testing for physical properties and ensuring application performance meets exacting standards.
• Maintain rigorous documentation and uphold compliance with company and industry standards for safety and quality.
• Participate in occasional travel for vendor meetings, conferences, or customer interactions—expect up to 10% travel.

• Minimum of 3 years’ hands-on experience in formulation, ideally within the paint and coatings industry.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, Material Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related STEM field.
• Expertise in 2K Urethane and/or UV coating systems is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in developing, testing, and commercializing coating products.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a keen eye for detail and accuracy in documentation.
• Effective communicator – able to translate complex data and results into actionable recommendations for stakeholders across roles.
• Familiarity with quality control protocols and application testing for industrial coatings.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a small team and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Experience working directly with suppliers and vendors to source and evaluate raw materials.

• Immediate Impact:
  Your input will be valued from day one in a collaborative environment that encourages innovation and creative problem-solving.
• Career Growth:
  We offer more than just a job – this is a place to build your career, expand your expertise, and contribute to exciting product developments.
• Comprehensive Benefits:
  Enjoy medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid vacation, retirement savings,…