R&D Associate Chemist (Paint Team)

Bring Innovation to Life Through Science

Are you passionate about chemistry and keen to see your work make a real impact? Join Sherwin-Williams as an R&D Associate Chemist and play a key role in developing, testing, and improving paint products used by customers across the market.

This is a hands-on laboratory role where you'll work alongside experienced scientists to develop new products, improve existing formulations, support production trials, investigate quality issues, and evaluate new raw materials. You'll gain exposure to a wide range of functions including Quality, Manufacturing, Marketing, Consumer Services, and the Global Supply Chain team, making this an excellent opportunity to build both technical expertise and business knowledge.

Whether you're a recent graduate or have some industrial laboratory paint experience, this role offers fantastic development opportunities within a global organization committed to helping employees grow their careers.

As an R&D Associate Chemist, you will:

Product Development & Formulation

• Support the development of new paint products and formulations.
• Test and validate reformulations of existing products.
• Conduct laboratory testing to evaluate product performance and quality.
• Contribute to projects managed through the stage-gate development process from feasibility through to production scale-up.
• Support production trials and product launches.

Product & Material Support

• Assist with quality investigations, complaint resolution, and production batch corrections.
• Support Quality Assurance and Consumer Services teams with technical laboratory testing.
• Learn and utilize formulation and recipe management systems.
• Help ensure products comply with relevant industry regulations and standards.

Raw Material & Product Evaluation

• Evaluate raw materials for use in current and future formulations.
• Conduct benchmarking studies against competitor products.
• Support stability testing and product performance assessments.
• Perform colour matching activities and contribute to product improvement initiatives.

Laboratory Operations

• Maintain laboratory equipment and complete calibration activities.

• Uphold ISO, quality, and safety standards.

• Order laboratory consumables and maintain stock levels.

• Prepare technical reports and document experimental findings.

• Create product samples to support marketing and customer activities.

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, chemistry, polymer/materials science or related technical discipline

• Basic laboratory skills

• Effective written & verbal communication skills / Confidence in presenting

• Ability to work flexibly, adapt and respond positively to changing priorities

• Ability to work in a team environment and on own initiative

• Strong accountability, integrity and enterprise awareness

• Strong focus on customer, value creation, and development of differentiated solutions

Preferred:

• Paints/coatings formulation experience
• Previous industrial/chemistry experience
• Six Sigma knowledge
• Ability to work successfully in a matrixed organization
• Driving license is preferred due to occasional travel

What We Can Offer You:

• The established salary range for this position is £35,148-£45,411
• Company bonus plan
• Work-Life Balance: We value your personal time and well-being.
• Career Opportunities: Grow within a truly international business.
• Ongoing Training and Support: Continuous learning and development opportunities.

Pay Transparency

The salary range shown refers to base salary only. In addition to this, we offer a broader total reward package which may include bonus or incentive pay, relevant allowances, and a range of competitive benefits. We encourage candidates to consider the full package when evaluating an offer. 

Salary is determined using a structured and objective framework, taking into account the role’s responsibilities, required skills and experience, market benchmarks, and internal equity. This ensures pay decisions are fair, consistent, and aligned with our commitment to equal pay and legal compliance.

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