Sr Product Development Chemist

Overview

CCL Design is a global leader in manufacturing UL labels, printed electronics, precision die-cuts, brand security applications, branding solutions, and functional materials. As part of CCL Industries, the company has headquarters in the UK and operates globally in Asia, Europe, and the Americas. With a dedicated Materials Science group, CCL Design creates in-house materials and customized solutions for major players in the electronics, automotive, and industrial sectors.

Equipped with cutting-edge technology and strict security standards, the company's design centers and manufacturing facilities ensure innovative and reliable products and services.

We are seeking a seasoned Product Development Chemist with expertise in polymer chemistry, particularly in designing advanced coatings systems for challenging substrates such as metals and low surface energy surfaces. In this senior-level role, you will lead the development and optimization of high-performance formulations for industrial, consumer, and specialty applications.

This position demands a blend of creative formulation skills, strategic thinking, and a in depth understanding of polymer science, adhesion mechanisms, and surface chemistry. You will play a key role in driving innovation, mentoring junior staff, and guiding products from concept to commercialization.

• Lead the design, formulation, and evaluation of coatings, adhesives, and specialty films using polymers such as PU, PET, VAc, Acrylic, PVF, and PVDF
• Develop and optimize adhesion systems for hard-to-bond substrates including polyethylene, polypropylene, and metallic surfaces
• Direct technical experiments, trials, and performance testing to validate new materials and processes
• Collaborate cross-functionally with quality, production, and commercial teams to ensure successful product launches
• Conduct root cause analysis and apply structured problem-solving methodologies (FMEA, DMAIC, control plans)
• Apply advanced Design of Experiments (DOE) to optimize formulations and scale-up processes
• Manage scale-up activities from bench to pilot and full production, including documentation and training
• Ensure compliance with regulatory standards (REACH, RoHS, FDA) and maintain comprehensive technical documentation
• Serve as a technical liaison with customers and partners, providing formulation expertise and troubleshooting support
• Utilize instrumentation (FTIR, Instron, microscopy) and external testing resources to characterize material performance
• Communicate proactively with stakeholders and demonstrate leadership in problem-solving and decision-making

• Educational Background: B.S. or M.S. in Chemistry, Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience:
  
  8+ years of experience in product development with strong focus on formulation and adhesion science.
• Technical Expertise:
  Proven expertise in working with various resin systems and relevant additives
• Analytical
  
  Skills:
  
  Familiarity with coating and adhesive test methods and surface characterization techniques
• Communication
  
  Skills:
  
  Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to convey complex technical results.
• Travel:
  Willingness to travel up to 25%. Travel varies based on project cycles.

• Formulation:
  Demonstrated success in formulating and compounding functional coatings and adhesives
• Adhesion:
  Experience with pressure-sensitive and thermally activated adhesives.
• Metallization:
  Familiarity with metallization techniques and metallized thin film
• Surface Pretreatment:
  Background in surface pretreatment technologies (e.g., plasma, corona, flame) and adhesion promoting chemistries.
• Adaptability:
  Comfortable working in a fast-paced R&D or production environment.
• Full benefits package including health, dental, and vision
• Flexible work hours
• Opportunity to lead innovation in materials science
• Supportive team culture that values creativity, knowledge-sharing, and experimentation