Formulation Chemist

Our client is a fast-growing specialty chemical manufacturer that has pioneered a genuinely next-generation, environmentally advanced alternative to the legacy resin systems that have dominated coatings and composites manufacturing for decades — their resins are safer to work with, better for the planet, and built for where the industry is headed. Demand is outpacing what their current team can produce.

This is a newly created role currently being managed by the company owner. Ownership is a small, hands‑on leadership team that wants a true operating partner to build and perfect scalable systems.

• Running day‑to‑day manufacturing across a multi‑building production facility with multiple batch tanks and production lines
• Building the plant's first formal quality control function from the ground up
• Leading, developing, and growing a hands‑on production team, with more hires planned as the plant scales
• Managing supplier relationships and coordinating shipping/receiving and freight in and out of the facility
• Building and maintaining the Excel‑based spreadsheets and formulas that track batch components and formulations — and keeping them current as new formulations are developed
• Getting hands‑on with production alongside the team
• Learning the chemistry and batch‑formulation side over the first 6–8 months, with the current subject‑matter expert directly training them; no prior chemical‑formulation background required, though it's a major plus if they have one
• Being the person who solves the unpredictable, on‑the‑fly problems that come with running a growing plant.

• 8+ years of relevant experience in chemical, resin, coatings, or composites manufacturing (10–15 years ideal)
• Plant/operations management leadership experience is the priority — hands‑on formulation or chemistry background is a strong plus but not required; the right operator will be trained on the technical side
• Bachelors or Masters Degrees Preferred
• Able to work fully onsite (this is not a remote or hybrid position)
• Must be able to pass a background check and drug screening
• Proficient in Excel, including building and maintaining spreadsheet formulas
• Strong people‑management and interpersonal skills for leading a small, tight‑knit, highly individual team
• Comfortable in a hands‑on, floor‑based role, including regular standing, walking a multi‑building production facility, and light‑to‑moderate lifting

• $150,000–$200,000/year base, based on experience
• Eligible for a performance‑based annual bonus (individual contribution‑based)
• Schedule:
  
  6:00 AM–3:00 PM, Monday–Friday — no weekends (only one Saturday worked company‑wide in the last 12 years)
• Structured 6–8 month ramp-up period to get the Plant Manager fully up to speed on the chemistry and formulation side
• Medical coverage with employer paying 100% of employee premiums and 50% of dependent premiums, including short‑and long‑term disability!
• PTO + 9 paid holidays annually (New Year's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving + the day after, and Christmas Day) — plus, when production schedules allow, additional paid days off around the December holidays
• A true family‑run culture where people are trusted to run their piece of the business
• Real advancement runway

Our client is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Background check required. This is not a remote position — this role requires the successful candidate to work onsite in the Sheboygan, WI area. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.