Research and Development

Formulation Chemist
A formulation chemist in the coatings industry is responsible for developing and optimising surface coating formulations to meet specific performance, aesthetic, environmental and regulatory requirements. They develop new coatings formulations based on desired properties such as durability, gloss, drying time, adhesion, and resistance to weather or chemicals before conducting laboratory testing and scale-up trials. This role combines chemistry expertise with creativity and problem-solving to design innovative and effective coating products for a wide range of applications, from decorative paints to industrial and automotive finishes.
Average salary - £29,100 / year

Laboratory Technician
The Laboratory Technician plays a key role in research, development, and quality control by conducting experiments, preparing samples, and recording accurate results. Working under the guidance of chemists or lab managers, technicians help ensure that products meet strict specifications and regulatory standards. This role is ideal for someone curious, detailoriented, and methodical, with a passion for science and problem-solving.
Average salary - £23,730 / year

Polymer Technologist
The Polymer Technologist specialises in the development, testing and optimisation of polymer-based materials that form the backbone of paint and coating formulations. By conducting laboratory testing to evaluate polymer performance, including film formation, adhesion, flexibility and resistance properties, they ensure that coatings have the desired properties such as durability, adhesion, gloss, and chemical resistance. They play a vital role in innovation, sustainability, and performance enhancement.
Average salary - £25,000 - £38,000 / year

Colour Technician
A Colour Technician is responsible for developing, matching, adjusting and testing colours in paints and coatings to meet precise customer specifications and quality standards. This role requires a keen eye for colour, attention to detail, and a solid understanding of pigments, formulation, and colour measurement technologies.
Average salary - £28,000 / year

Application Specialist
An Application Specialist in the coatings industry is a technical expert acting as the link between sales, R&D, and the customer. Active across sectors such as automotive, construction, packaging and industrial coatings, they support clients in the proper application, optimisation, and troubleshooting of coating products. Their role involves conducting pilot trials, demonstrations, and on-site interventions, as well as training customers and internal teams through guides, documentation and best practices. They also work closely with R&D to improve formulations based on customer feedback.
Average salary - £25,000 - £34,000 / year

Sustainability and Regulatory

Regulatory Affairs Specialist
The Regulatory Affairs Specialist monitors, interprets and implements chemical regulations such as REACH, CLP and other applicable legislation. They also ensure that all products are correctly classified, labelled and packaged according to legal and customer requirements. They act as the interface between the company and regulatory authorities, facilitating product approvals, maintaining compliance throughout the product lifecycle and supporting crossfunctional teams with regulatory guidance.
Average salary - £38,144 / year

Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Manager
The HSE Manager is responsible for developing, implementing and maintaining health, safety and environmental policies to ensure compliance with legal requirements and promote a safe workplace. They develop and enforce company HSE policies, procedures and best practices, for example by reporting on HSE performance metrics and recommending improvements. They play a key role in risk prevention, employee training, and fostering a culture of safety and sustainability.
Average salary - £46,435 / year

Circular Economy Expert
The Circular Economy Expert leads the design and implementation of strategies that enable sustainable resource use, waste reduction and closed-loop systems across the company’s operations and value chain. This role combines expertise in sustainability, industrial ecology, and innovation to drive business transformation towards circular models. They collaborate with cross-functional teams, partners, and stakeholders to identify opportunities for circularity, improve product lifecycles, and support the transition to low impact, regenerative business practices.
Average salary - £23,000 - 32,000 / year

R&D Chemist – Sustainable Formulations
An R&D Chemist in Sustainable Formulations develops innovative, sustainable paints and coatings that meet performance standards while minimising environmental impact. The role involves researching, designing, and optimising formulations using renewable materials, low-VOC technologies, and greener production methods, ensuring compliance with regulations and consumer expectations. Combining technical chemistry expertise with creativity and problem-solving skills, the chemist drives sustainable innovation by integrating green chemistry principles into high performance products.
Average salary - £29,729 / year

Life Cycle Assessment Specialist
A Life Cycle Assessment Specialist analyses the environmental impact of a product or service throughout its entire life cycle, from raw material extraction to disposal. Using a systematic approach guided by standards, they evaluate resource use and emissions at each stage, gathering data on inputs like energy and materials, as well as outputs such as greenhouse gases. By providing these data-driven insights, they help organisations understand their environmental footprint and make informed decisions about product design, material selection, and end-of-life management to promote more sustainable choices.
Average salary - £39,879 / year

Supply Chain Sustainability Specialist
A Supply Chain Sustainability Specialist ensures that the sourcing, production, and distribution activities within the coatings industry align with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals. This role involves analysing data, assessing supplier practices, and driving initiatives that reduce environmental impact, improve transparency, and support responsible sourcing across global operations. They monitor and evaluate the sustainability performance of suppliers, raw materials, and logistics partners. They also champion the integration of ESG criteria into procurement and supply chain decision-making.
Average salary - £33,300 / year

Logistics and Supply Chain

Process Development Engineer
A Process Development Engineer in the coatings industry is responsible for designing, optimising, and scaling up the production processes used to manufacture paints, coatings, and surface treatments. They develop, test and optimise manufacturing processes for coatings products, including paints, varnishes and specialty finishes. This role ensures that formulations developed by the R&D department can be efficiently and safely produced at scale, while meeting quality, environmental, and cost targets.
Average salary - £34,347 / year

Process Scale-Up Engineer
A Scale-Up Engineer is a common role in chemical, pharmaceutical and advanced materials industries. They are responsible for translating laboratory or pilot-scale processes into full-scale commercial manufacturing operations. They bridge the gap between R&D and production, ensuring that processes are efficient, safe, cost-effective and compliant with regulatory and quality standards. This requires a strong understanding or chemical engineering principles and a problem-solving capacity.
Average salary - £49,000 / year

Supply Chain Planner/Demand Planner
The Supply Chain Planner manages the end-to-end planning of materials and products to ensure optimal inventory levels, timely delivery, and efficient production schedules. They develop procurement plans based on sales forecasts and inventory levels and then, monitor supply chain performance and adjust plans to address delays or disruptions. They coordinate with suppliers, production, and logistics teams to balance demand and supply, minimising costs and meeting customer expectations.
Average salary - £39,590 / year

Procurement Manager
The Procurement Manager/Specialist is responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and purchasing the goods and services the company requires. They work closely with internal teams to understand needs, secure favourable prices, contracts, and delivery terms, and ensure optimal value in terms of quality, cost, and timeliness. In addition, they maintain strong supplier relationships and contribute to overall supply chain efficiency.
Average salary - £36,050 / year

Materials Planner
A Materials Planner ensures the right raw materials (such as pigments, resins, solvents, and additives) are available at the right time and quantity to meet production needs. This role is essential for avoiding delays, minimising inventory costs, and supporting efficient manufacturing processes in the coatings industry. They coordinate with suppliers, procurement teams and warehouse staff to ensure timely material availability. Then, they monitor inventory levels and production schedules to plan material requirements.
Average salary - £31,000 - £37,000 / year

Warehouse Manager
The Warehouse Manager oversees the efficient receipt, storage, and dispatch of goods, managing all warehouse operations while ensuring health and safety compliance. They lead warehouse staff, optimise inventory management for accuracy and availability, and streamline layouts and processes to maximise efficiency and cost-effectiveness, ensuring performance and delivery targets are consistently met.
Average salary - £29,354 / year

Engineering and Manufacturing

Production Technician
A production Technician operates and monitors manufacturing equipment to ensure the safe, efficient and highquality production of goods. By setting up and monitoring production machinery and equipment, they play a key role in maintaining continuous production flow, troubleshooting issues, and adhering to safety and quality standards.
Average salary - £25,343 / year

Maintenance Engineer
The Maintenance Engineer in the coatings industry ensures machinery and equipment run smoothly and safely. They perform preventive maintenance, troubleshoot mechanical and electrical issues, and support production reliability and quality. Working closely with production and R&D teams, they help maintain optimal conditions for mixing, coating, and curing processes, gaining hands-on experience with advanced industrial equipment.
Average salary - £37,513 / year

Quality Assurance Manager
The Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for developing and implementing quality management systems to ensure that products meet regulatory, customer and internal standards. They lead quality teams, conduct audits, and drive continuous improvement to maintain high levels of product reliability and customer satisfaction.
Average salary - £45,000 / year

Sales and Marketing

Sales Representative (Technical)
The Technical Sales Representative promotes and sells products or services to existing and prospective customers, combining technical knowledge with strong communication skills. They build and maintain lasting customer relationships, understand client needs in depth, and provide tailored solutions that add real value. This role offers the opportunity to work closely with both clients and internal teams, stay updated on industry innovations, and contribute directly to business growth while developing expertise in technical products and solutions.
Average salary - £30,552 / year

Marketing and Communications Executive
The Marketing and Communication Executive supports the development and execution of marketing strategies and campaigns to boost brand awareness, generate leads, and support sales. They manage both digital and offline content, coordinate events, and ensure messaging is consistent with company objectives. This includes creating and managing content for websites, social media, newsletters, brochures, and other communication materials, helping the company connect effectively with its audience.
Average salary - £32,500 / year

Business Development Manager
The Business Development Manager drives company growth by identifying new opportunities, building strong client relationships, and expanding market presence. They prepare and deliver persuasive sales presentations and proposals, working closely with sales, marketing, and product teams to develop strategies that meet customer needs and achieve revenue targets. Their role focuses on cultivating and maintaining long-term relationships with key customers and partners while contributing directly to the company’s success.
Average salary - £42,000 / year

Business Operations

Human Resources Manager
The Human Resources Manager oversees all aspects of the employee lifecycle, from recruitment and onboarding to performance management and employee relations. Acting as a strategic partner to management, they ensure HR policies align with business goals while fostering a positive, compliant, and productive workplace. The role requires strong interpersonal and communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and expertise in HR practices, labour law, and organisational development, enabling them to support employee growth, engagement, and overall company performance.
Average salary - £63,397 / year

IT Systems Engineer
The IT Systems Engineer designs, implements, and maintains the company’s IT infrastructure, ensuring reliability, security, and optimal performance. They support daily business operations and play a key role in driving digital transformation initiatives, working with teams to implement efficient, innovative, and secure technology solutions.
Average salary - £38,819 / year

Data – Market Intelligence Analyst
The Data & Market Intelligence Analyst collects, analyses, and interprets market and business data to support strategic decision-making. By transforming complex data into actionable insights, they help the company understand market trends, industry dynamics, customer needs, competitor behaviour, and opportunities for growth.
Average salary - £37,000 / year