Colourist/Lab Technologist in Stockport

My clients are a very well-established manufacturing company based in Tameside. We are now recruiting for a Laboratory Colourist, based at the site in Stockport. As our Laboratory Colourist, you will play a critical role in developing, matching, and testing colours for the company’s fabrics and coatings. The position ensures colour accuracy, consistency, and reproducibility across the full product range, supporting both R&D innovation and production quality. The role requires strong technical knowledge of colour theory and pigment systems, combined with practical laboratory testing and an eye for detail.

40 hours per week – 07:30 – 16:30 Monday to Friday. 60 minute – Unpaid Lunch Break. £13‑£14 per hour DOE.

Benefits:

• Auto enrolled into our Stakeholder Pension Scheme (Louvolite contributes 4%).
• 28 days holiday (including statutory), rising by one day after one completed year of service.
• Life Assurance covering your annual salary.
• Subsidised canteen offering freshly cooked meals and sandwiches every day.
• Free car parking.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme, offering counselling support, legal guidance, and medical advice from qualified nurses, for you and your immediate family.
• Mental Health First Aiders available to provide support and guidance.
• Discounted Gym Membership.
• Discounted Blinds and Shutters, upon successful completion of your Probationary Period.
• Peer to Peer Recognition Programme.
• Free Flu Jab voucher every Autumn.
• Christmas Savings Scheme.
• NHS Health Checks.
• Access to a Health Care Cash Plan.

Main Purpose of the Role:

The Laboratory Colourist plays a critical role in developing, matching, and testing colours for Louvolite’s fabrics and coatings. The position ensures colour accuracy, consistency, and reproducibility across the full product range, supporting both R&D innovation and production quality. The role requires strong technical knowledge of colour theory and pigment systems, combined with practical laboratory testing and an eye for detail.

Main Responsibilities and Duties:

• Liquor Evaluation & Shade Control – Conduct liquor evaluations, shade matching, and shade corrections to ensure consistency with approved standards.
• Works Order Management – Raise, place, and monitor works orders; update and maintain the works order spreadsheet for accurate tracking.
• Fabric Testing – Perform laboratory testing on both uncoated and coated fabrics, assessing colour fastness, lightfastness, UV resistance, wash durability, and blackout performance where applicable.
• Quality Assurance – Approve production batches against master standards, ensuring minimal colour deviation (ΔE values within tolerance) and compliance with specifications.
• Raw Material Control – Carry out quality checks on raw materials, including chemicals, to verify suitability for use.
• Documentation & Reporting – Record and update test results; maintain shade cards, laboratory databases, swatch libraries, filing systems, and technical records.
• Laboratory & Stock Management – Maintain laboratory stock levels (chemicals, consumables, swatches), ensuring availability and good housekeeping.
• Swatch Preparation – Prepare and handle swatches for shade approvals.
• Colour Development – Formulate and match new colours in line with product specifications, across polyester, coated fabrics, foams, and other substrates.
• Process Support – Provide technical support to production teams in pigment mixing, coating.
• Problem Solving – Investigate shade or batch variation issues and recommend corrective actions in collaboration with production and quality teams.
• Cross‑functional Collaboration – Work closely with design, R&D, and manufacturing to deliver colour solutions for new product launches.
• Support Functions – Assist the mixing room when required, ensuring smooth transfer of laboratory formulations into production.

Essential Criteria:

• Education – Degree or equivalent experience in Colour Science or related discipline.
• Colour Expertise – Demonstrated ability in colour formulation, adjustment, and shade matching, using both visual and instrumental assessment (e.g., spectrophotometers, light booths).
• Laboratory Experience – Practical, hands‑on experience in a production laboratory environment, preferably within textiles, coatings, or paints.
• Technical Knowledge – Sound understanding of fundamental laboratory techniques, colour measurement principles, and quality control practices.
• Process Awareness – Familiarity with textile manufacturing processes such as pigment application, coating.
• IT Skills – Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and ability to produce clear technical documentation and reports.
• Organisation & Accuracy – Strong organisational and planning skills, with a high level of attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in testing and record‑keeping.
• Teamwork & Independence – Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within cross‑functional teams (R&D, production, quality).
• Communication Skills – Excellent verbal and written communication abilities for reporting results and liaising with colleagues across departments.
• Time Management – Effective prioritisation skills to manage multiple shade developments and laboratory tasks simultaneously.
• Compliance & Consistency – Ability to follow instructions accurately and consistently, ensuring adherence to lab protocols and safety standards.

Desirable Criteria:

• Recognition of X‑rite spectrophotometer.
• Understanding Colour iControl software.
• Recognition of UV‑Vis spectroscopy.
• Recognised qualification in textile and colour chemistry.
• Interest in science.