INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT & HR EXPERTS ACROSS THE PLASTICS, PACKAGING, SPECIALITY CHEMICALS, LIFE SCIENCES, BIOPOLYMER, FOOD ADDITIVES & INGREDIENTS, ENERGY AND RECYCLING SECTORS SINCE 1975.
Head Of R&D
Based in Stoke-on-Trent,
Job ref: JH /64683
The Company:
A UK-based specialist chemical manufacturer, headquartered in Stoke-on-Trent, that has grown into a world-leading supplier of tin oxide and related high-performance metal oxides used as functional pigments and nanomaterials across a wide range of industrial applications including ceramics, glass, electrical/electronic components, coatings, laser marking and infrared absorption technologies.
The Role:
To lead and manage the Research & Development (R&D) department and the Pilot Plant, driving innovation and process development. Provide strategic and operational support to Production, Sales, and EHSQ departments to ensure alignment with business objectives, enhance product quality, and maintain compliance with health, safety, and environmental standards.
Key Responsibilities:
· Develop innovative new products aligned with strategic goals
· Explore new chemistries to support product innovation
· Define analytical and quality parameters for product validation
· Design and upscale manufacturing processes to pilot scale
· Establish analytical and quality procedures to ensure product functionality
· Provide technical service support to the Sales team and customers
· Develop new applications for existing and new products
· Assist Production in resolving manufacturing issues
· Manage the R&D laboratory and its personnel
· Specify and develop equipment and technical standards as required
· Oversee health & safety compliance and ensure laboratory meets all relevant regulations
Required Qualifications & Experience:
· Preferred PhD in Inorganic Chemistry, Materials Science, Mineralogy, or Polymer Science
· Working knowledge of a foreign language preferred
· Strong verbal and written communication skills
· Experience in process design and scale-up desirable
· Highly motivated, hands-on, with a proactive and creative mindset
· Willingness to perform practical laboratory work
· Experience with analytical techniques, especially spectroscopy
· Comfortable working in a small team under pressure and tight deadlines
· Willingness to travel occasionally
For reasons of better legibility, the simultaneous use of the language forms male, female and diverse (f/m/d) is avoided. All personal designations apply equally to all genders.
For UK roles, candidates must be eligible to work and live in the United Kingdom. Proof of eligibility will be required with your application.
Why select Listgrove?
· Five Decades of Market Intelligence
· Unrivalled Industry Networks
· Recognised International brand
· HR Qualified Professionals
To hear from our clients on how we have supported their search for talent and HR needs, please visit Listgrove’s Case Studies page.
Throughout 2026 & 2027 you can meet with Listgrove at the following exhibitions:
Interpack, France Innovation Plasturgie, Interplas UK, Plast Milan, Fakuma, ArabPlast, NPE 2027
Performance through People.
Listgrove Limited Registered in England No: (phone number removed)