Product Development Chemist, Resin Formulation

About the Role

We are seeking an inventive formulation chemist with strong synthetic chemistry and organic synthesis experience to develop and formulate new resin-based products. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in product development rather than analytical testing or routine laboratory work.

The ideal candidate has hands-on experience developing and formulating formaldehyde-based resins and alternative resin technologies, including formaldehyde-free and no-added-formaldehyde (NAF) systems. The company also values strong technical leadership, including project leadership or the potential to lead projects and team members in the future.

Responsibilities

• Design, synthesize, formulate, and optimize new resin-based products
• Develop new chemical formulations from initial concept through laboratory validation and commercial production
• Plan and conduct organic synthesis, wet chemistry, formulation, and product-performance experiments
• Work with formaldehyde-based resins and alternative resin technologies, including formaldehyde-free and no-added-formaldehyde systems
• Evaluate raw materials and formulation approaches to develop and improve resin systems
• Interpret experimental data and use the results to improve formulations and guide product-development decisions
• Troubleshoot formulation, scale-up, manufacturing, and product-performance challenges
• Support the transition of laboratory formulations into scalable manufacturing processes
• Take ownership of technical projects, research priorities, timelines, and results
• Collaborate with R&D, Manufacturing, Applications, Sales, and Marketing teams
• Maintain detailed technical documentation, experimental records, and project reports
• Follow all laboratory safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements
• Contribute original ideas for future products and technologies

Requirements

• Master's degree in Chemistry
• Hands-on experience in synthetic chemistry and organic synthesis
• Product formulation or new-product development experience
• Experience creating or modifying chemical formulations, rather than focusing only on analytical testing
• Strong laboratory, experimental design, analytical, and troubleshooting skills
• Strong technical writing and communication skills
• Experience working with cross-functional teams
• Ability to manage projects and work independently
• Ability to work safely with hazardous chemical materials
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and relevant scientific or statistical analysis tools

Preferred Qualifications

• Two or more years of industrial experience in polymers, resins, adhesives, or related chemical manufacturing environments
• Direct experience formulating formaldehyde-based resin systems
• Experience developing formaldehyde-free or no-added-formaldehyde resin technologies
• Experience with polymer synthesis or resin-production processes
• Experience moving formulations from laboratory development to pilot-scale or commercial manufacturing
• Knowledge of design of experiments, project planning, and statistical analysis
• Experience leading technical projects or mentoring laboratory team members
• Inventive and research-focused approach to product development
• Strong leadership presence and interest in future team leadership

Benefits

• Competitive compensation with a bonus structure
• Comprehensive health insurance benefits
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Long-term professional growth and advancement opportunities

Why This Opportunity

• Opportunity to grow into a leadership role and lead a technical team
• Join a successful, established company with long-term stability
• Work on innovative resin and polymer technologies with commercial applications
• Take ownership of product-development projects and influence future product strategy