Powder Coatings Formulation & Applications Manager

Role details

Department: Technology Reports to: Technical Director Schedule: Days / As Required

Formulate. Test. Solve. Lead. ---------------------------------

Turn powder coatings expertise into better formulations, meaningful performance data, and practical customer solutions.

Estron Chemical is seeking a Powder Coatings Formulation & Applications Manager to lead hands-on formulation development, performance evaluation, and technical problem-solving for coating resins and additives.

You will design powder coating formulations and develop testing protocols that demonstrate how materials perform—and what differentiates them. Working closely with Technology, Sales, and Operations, you will connect laboratory findings with real-world application needs, support customers, and help guide new and improved products.

This role combines deep powder coatings expertise with personnel supervision and technical project leadership.

What you’ll do

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• Design powder coating formulations. Develop and evaluate formulations to understand how resins and additives influence coating properties and performance.
• Develop performance-testing protocols. Design and document tests that evaluate formulated coatings against relevant performance requirements and industry standards.
• Differentiate resin and additive performance. Develop testing approaches that produce meaningful comparisons and identify material strengths, limitations, and application suitability.
• Solve real-world application challenges. Investigate customer complaints and coating performance issues using formulation knowledge, laboratory testing, and customer information.
• Translate findings into practical guidance. Prepare technical reports, explain results, and recommend solutions to customers and internal teams.
• Support customers and Sales. Participate in technical discussions, calls, meetings, and visits concerning product selection, formulation, and application performance.
• Lead applications personnel. Assign work, set priorities, provide technical direction, support employee development, and complete performance planning and reviews.
• Advance product development. Collaborate with Technology, Sales, and Operations to define technical projects and evaluate new and improved products.
• Coordinate laboratory work. Organize testing activities and maintain accurate formulations, protocols, results, technical data sheets, and project records.
• Strengthen testing capabilities. Evaluate relevant industry methods, technical developments, competitive materials, and laboratory tools.
• Maintain safe laboratory operations. Follow equipment maintenance, chemical handling, laboratory cleanliness, hazardous waste, and applicable quality procedures.

Qualifications and experience

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• 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 that evaluate formulated coatings and differentiate the performance of coating resins and additives.
• Practical understanding of powder coating application issues and the 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 the ability to manage multiple technical projects.
• Knowledge of current powder coatings industry trends, testing methods, and application practices.

Experience that will strengthen your application

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

Work environment

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This is a full-time, onsite position in Calvert City, Kentucky, involving hands-on laboratory work and collaboration with manufacturing teams. Customer visits, technical conferences, and trade shows may be required.

Apply

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Submit your résumé through this posting. Highlight your powder coatings formulation and testing experience, testing-protocol development, technical problem-solving, and personnel leadership.

Estron Chemical is an equal-opportunity employer.

Learn more at www.estron.com.