Product Development Chemist

At Scitex, we’re proud to be partnering with a New Zealand success story – a specialist coatings manufacturer with a global footprint – to secure a Product Development Chemist to join their team in Auckland.

We’re looking for a chemist with commercial experience in paints, polymers or coatings, ready to take on a dynamic role that blends laboratory formulation, product testing, and hands-on field validation. This role is perfect for someone who enjoys innovating at the bench but wants to see their work come to life on the water – quite literally – through field trials and collaboration with applicators and end users.

About the role
Working within a small but impactful R&D team, you’ll support the Product Development Manager across all phases of product innovation – from concept research and formulation through to testing and commercial scale-up. You’ll contribute to the development of novel marine coatings, qualify new raw materials, benchmark competitor products, and support quality and compliance initiatives across the business.

There’s plenty of variety here – one day might see you working in the lab on a new antifouling technology, the next out in the harbour trialling the product on vessels with applicators.

We’re looking for someone who can offer:

• A tertiary qualification in Chemistry or a related discipline (BSc, MSc or PhD)
• 3–5 years’ commercial experience in paint, coatings, or polymer formulation
• A collaborative, hands-on approach to development and problem solving
• The ability to document and communicate findings with clarity and confidence
• An interest in working close to end users to ensure practical application of your work

This is a rare opportunity to join a team where you’ll see your ideas move quickly from concept to product, where the technical team is highly respected within the business, and where your work will make a tangible difference in the global marine sector.

How to apply

Click APPLY NOW or call Belinda McKenzie at Scitex Recruitment on 09 200 3121 for a confidential discussion.

This role will support international applicants.

Scitex specialises in permanent, contract and temporary recruitment – and has done so since 1987. We are here to engineer better Mondays. We love connecting talented people with great work opportunities in workplaces where you can thrive and make a meaningful difference.