Powder Coatings Formulation & Applications Manager

Estron Chemical•Calvert City, KY

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Estron Chemical is seeking a manager to lead hands-on powder-coating formulation development, performance evaluation, and technical problem-solving for coating resins and additives. The role designs formulations and testing protocols to assess material performance and distinguish products, while connecting laboratory findings with practical customer and application needs. It combines powder-coatings expertise with personnel supervision and technical project leadership, collaborating with Technology, Sales, and Operations to support customers and advance new and improved products. The position is full-time and onsite in Calvert City, Kentucky. It involves hands-on laboratory work and collaboration with manufacturing teams. Customer visits, technical conferences, and trade shows may be required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry.
At least eight years of powder-coatings formulation and testing experience.
Demonstrated expertise in powder-coating formulation design and performance evaluation.
Ability to develop testing protocols for formulated coatings and differentiate coating-resin and additive performance.
Practical understanding of powder-coating application issues and ability to connect laboratory findings with customer experience.
Strong experimental-design, analytical, and technical problem-solving skills.
Ability to document methods, interpret results, and communicate clear technical recommendations.
Ability to supervise personnel, establish priorities, and guide technical work.
Effective communication with customers, commercial colleagues, and laboratory and manufacturing teams.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple technical projects.
Knowledge of current powder-coatings industry trends, testing methods, and application practices.

Nice To Haves

Customer-facing technical service and application troubleshooting experience.
Development or improvement of laboratory testing methods.
Technical project leadership supporting product development or commercialization.
Experience supervising and developing laboratory or technical personnel.

Responsibilities

Design and evaluate powder-coating formulations to understand how resins and additives influence coating properties and performance.
Develop and document performance-testing protocols that assess formulated coatings against relevant requirements and industry standards.
Develop testing approaches that meaningfully compare resin and additive performance and identify material strengths, limitations, and application suitability.
Investigate customer complaints and coating-performance issues using formulation knowledge, laboratory testing, and customer information.
Prepare technical reports, explain findings, and recommend practical solutions to customers and internal teams.
Support Sales and customers through technical discussions, calls, meetings, and visits related to product selection, formulation, and application performance.
Lead applications personnel by assigning work, setting priorities, providing technical direction, supporting employee development, and completing performance planning and reviews.
Collaborate with Technology, Sales, and Operations to define technical projects and evaluate new and improved products.
Coordinate laboratory work and maintain accurate formulations, protocols, results, technical data sheets, and project records.
Evaluate relevant industry methods, technical developments, competitive materials, and laboratory tools to strengthen testing capabilities.
Maintain safe laboratory operations, including equipment maintenance, chemical handling, laboratory cleanliness, hazardous waste, and applicable quality procedures.