Senior Paint Chemist / Product Development Leader

Job Description

Job Description

Join a Growing Manufacturing Team
We are currently seeking an experienced Senior Paint Chemist / Product Development Leader to join an innovative and growing manufacturing operation in Yonkers, NY. This is a permanent opportunity for a seasoned industry professional with deep expertise in paint formulation, coatings development, polymers, and product innovation.

The ideal candidate will possess 5–10+ years of direct experience within the paint manufacturing industry and have a proven track record of leading product development initiatives, managing laboratory operations, and overseeing quality assurance and quality control processes for large-scale production and distribution.

Key Responsibilities
• Develop, test, and optimize paint, coating, and polymer formulations
• Lead product development efforts for new and existing paint solutions
• Conduct laboratory analysis on raw materials, prototypes, and finished products
• Oversee quality assurance and quality control processes for products prepared for mass distribution
• Collaborate with production teams to scale formulations into manufacturing operations
• Troubleshoot product performance issues and identify technical solutions
• Maintain documentation of formulations, experiments, and testing results
• Lead weekly 5S Kaizen lab clean-up initiatives
• Utilize formulation software to create prototypes and production batches
• Develop and evaluate solvent-based, water-based, industrial, and specialty coating formulations
• Analyze and test pigments, resins, solvents, additives, and polymers for product performance and consistency
• Evaluate coating performance including adhesion, viscosity, gloss, dry time, durability, and chemical resistance
• Assist with color matching, formulation adjustments, and product improvement initiatives
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, environmental, and chemical handling regulations
• Support manufacturing scale-up, batch troubleshooting, and production optimization efforts
• Maintain accurate laboratory records, batch documentation, SDS/TDS information, and formulation data

Qualifications
• Minimum 5–10 years of direct experience in paint manufacturing required
• Previous leadership experience strongly preferred
• Strong knowledge of raw materials, pigments, additives, polymers, and coating applications
• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Polymer Science, Materials Science, or related field required
• Advanced degree preferred
• Strong knowledge of paint formulation chemistry, coatings technology, and laboratory testing methods
• Experience working with solvent-based and water-based coating systems strongly preferred
• Experience with industrial, commercial, automotive, architectural, or specialty coatings preferred
• Understanding of quality control testing, product scale-up, and manufacturing support processes preferred

Compensation & Benefits
• Competitive salary: $90,000 – $100,000 annually
• Full-time permanent position
• Hybrid flexibility on Fridays
• Company-paid E-Z Pass coverage
• Relocation assistance may be available
• 401(k) plan with discretionary employer contributions

Equal Employment Opportunity
We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and are committed to building a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected characteristic.