Project Chemist

Project Chemist

Location: Hartlepool and Billingham, Teesside Reporting to: R&D Team Leader Employment type: Permanent, full-time Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience

Select Talent Group (STG) is delighted to be partnering with Natara Global as its embedded talent partner to recruit a Project Chemist.

Natara Global is an international flavours and ingredients business with three locations across the North East, including its Seaham office and manufacturing facilities in Hartlepool and Billingham.

This is an excellent opportunity for a Chemistry graduate or an experienced laboratory-based chemist to join Natara’s Innovation team.

You will help develop new products and manufacturing processes, taking projects from initial laboratory research through to production-scale implementation.

The Role

Working closely with R&D, Operations and Quality, you will

• Research new processes, materials and techniques through literature reviews and laboratory-based development work.
• Support the introduction of new products and the improvement of existing products and processes.
• Scale up chemical reactions to maximum laboratory scale.
• Develop detailed technology transfer packs to support the successful introduction of new products and processes into manufacturing.
• Work with the QC team to develop analytical methods for in-process and final-product testing.
• Provide hands-on technical support during development and production trials.
• Prepare clear reports covering laboratory and wider R&D activities.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records, data and samples.
• Follow all Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental policies and procedures.
• Maintain high standards of laboratory housekeeping and safe working.
• Support other technical projects and operational activities when required.

The position will involve working across Natara’s Hartlepool and Billingham sites.

About You

We are looking for someone with

• A BSc or MSc in Chemistry or a related subject.
• At least one year of laboratory-based R&D experience gained within an industrial or academic environment.
• Good laboratory practice and a broad understanding of modern organic chemistry.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• The ability to maintain accurate technical documentation and laboratory records.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• The confidence to work independently while contributing effectively as part of a wider team.
• Good organisation and the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.

Experience within the flavours, fragrances, chemicals or process-manufacturing sectors would be advantageous, although it is not essential.

You will ideally be comfortable translating laboratory research into practical manufacturing processes and providing technical support within a production environment.

Why Join Natara?

This is an opportunity to join a global flavours and ingredients business in a role where your work will directly influence new-product development, process improvement and manufacturing performance.

You will work across laboratory and production environments, collaborate with multiple departments and gain exposure to the complete journey from initial research through to full-scale manufacture.

To apply, please submit your CV or contact Select Talent Group for a confidential discussion