ROLE OVERVIEW
An exciting opportunity for a Surface Modification Scientist to join a leading innovator in chemistry materials based in the Oxfordshire area. In this pivotal role, you will contribute to research and development activities, supporting the expansion of the company's coating chemistries and driving product innovation across various markets.
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Your duties as the Surface Modification Scientist will be varied however the key duties and responsibilities are as follows:
- Support the research and development team by designing and executing experiments to develop and improve coating chemistries.
- Conduct practical lab-based work, testing new formulations on different substrates within membrane separation and related fields.
- Analyze technical results to guide surface treatment development and broaden application knowledge.
- Prepare detailed technical documents, including process reports, SOPs, and technical transfer documentation.
- As the Surface Modification Scientis you will collaborate closely with team members to shape project direction and deliver innovative solutions.
ROLE REQUIREMENTS
To be successful in your application to this exciting role as the Surface Modification Scientist we are looking to identify the following on your profile and past history:
- Advanced degree (MSc / PhD) in Chemistry with industry experience in organic chemistry, surface modification or coating formulation.
- Demonstrable problem-solving capability and a strong appreciation of chemical characterisation.
- As the Applications Scientist you will display a proactive, solutions-oriented approach, with the ability to work effectively both independently and within a team.
WHATS IN IT FOR YOU?
- A competitive salary package aligned with your skills and experience.
- 25 days of annual leave plus statutory Bank Holidays.
- Fully comprehensive private healthcare and enhanced pension scheme.
- Opportunities for professional development and career growth.
- Access to various employee benefits including income protection, mental health support, gym discounts, and more.
Key Words: Applications Scientist / Chemistry / Membrane Separation / Coatings / Surface Chemistry / R&D / Innovation / Laboratory Work / Problem-solving / Industry Experience / Oxfordshire / Surface Modification Scientist
"Hyper Recruitment Solutions Ltd (HRS) is an Equal Opportunities employer. We welcome applications from anyone who meets the role requirements. HRS exclusively supports the STEM sectors, combining recruitment expertise with scientific knowledge to help you advance your career"....Read more...
JOB DESCRIPTION
ABOUT THE ROLE
Mantrose Group is a specialty ingredients company with deep application expertise across confectionery, food, and pharmaceutical coatings. Our portfolio spans resinous and wax-based confectionery coatings, pharmaceutical excipients, and our NatureSeal line of post-harvest wash and coating solutions for fresh-cut produce. NatureSeal is a market-leading technology used by produce processors and retailers across North America to extend the shelf-life, appearance, and safety of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables.
We are looking for a technically credible Sales Manager to develop and grow a commercial territory spanning confectionery, food coatings, pharma/nutraceutical, and fresh produce markets. This is a full-cycle individual contributor role: you will identify opportunities, build technical relationships, run application trials, and close business. The NatureSeal segment in particular offers significant growth potential, with active demand from produce processors and foodservice distributors. The right candidate brings enough chemistry or food science background to hold a substantive conversation in a customer lab, and enough commercial instinct to convert that credibility into sales.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Business Development & Pipeline Management
Prospect, qualify, and develop new accounts across confectionery, food, pharma/nutraceutical, and fresh-cut produce segments.
Build and maintain a structured opportunity pipeline in CRM, tracking account status, project progression, and next steps with discipline.
Develop and execute account business plans on monthly and annual cadences, setting growth targets and tracking performance against them.
Represent Mantrose Group at industry tradeshows (NCA, SupplySide, United Fresh, and others), leveraging these events for prospecting and relationship deepening.
Technical Selling & Customer Engagement
Serve as the primary commercial interface for your accounts, conducting product demonstrations, application discussions, and customized technical presentations.
Partner with R&D and product management to match Mantrose capabilities to customer formulation challenges, from confectionery and pharmaceutical coatings to NatureSeal post-harvest treatment programs for fresh-cut produce processors.
Develop NatureSeal opportunities across produce processors and foodservice distributors, educating buyers and technical staff on shelf-life extension, browning inhibition, and food safety benefits.
Translate customer requirements into internal project briefs, ensuring cross-functional teams have the context needed to develop targeted solutions.
Market Intelligence & Strategy
Continuously gather competitive intelligence on pricing, product performance, applications, and market trends across your covered segments.
Analyze customer and market data to surface patterns, inform pricing decisions, and identify white space for product development.
Contribute to commercial strategy discussions by sharing field perspective on competitor activity, regulatory developments, and customer priorities.
Professional Development
Maintain current technical knowledge across covered application areas through industry publications, educational workshops, and participation in relevant professional societies.
Build and sustain a professional network that supports long-term business development across all covered market segments.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
Bachelor's degree in Food Science or a closely related technical discipline.
5+ years of technical sales or business development experience in food ingredients, specialty chemicals, or a directly adjacent field.
Demonstrated ability to sell on technical value: capable of diagnosing a customer application problem, proposing a solution, and supporting trials through to commercialization.
Working knowledge of the functional food ingredient space, with familiarity across at least one of the following: confections, pharma coatings, fresh produce, or nutraceuticals.
Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills; comfortable presenting to both technical and procurement audiences.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and CRM platforms.
Preferred
Familiarity with NatureSeal or equivalent fresh-cut produce preservation technologies; existing relationships within produce processing or foodservice distribution are a strong plus.
R&D background with a desire to move into a fully customer-facing commercial role.
Established relationships within confectionery manufacturing, supplement/nutraceutical production, or fresh produce processing.
Spanish and/or Portuguese Fluency
From big benefits to small, we take care of our associates! After 30 days of employment, you will be eligible for a benefits package that includes medical, dental, life, disability, and business travel insurance, flexible spending accounts, EAP, stock purchases, and vacation/sick days/parental leave. We also offer a 401(k) plan after three months of employment. Associates are vested in the RPM Pension plan after completing five years of service. Mantrose Group offers paid holidays and two floating holidays per year. You are also eligible to earn three weeks of vacation on an annualized basis.
Salary Range: 100-120K+ DOE
Mantrose Group is an equal opportunity employer.
ABOUT US
Mantrose Group is a world leader in specialty coatings and functional blends for the food, pharmaceutical and personal care industries. Founded more than 100 years ago, Mantrose is proud to be part of RPM International Inc., a $5.6 billion multinational company with 14,600 employees worldwide and subsidiaries that are world leaders in specialty coatings, sealants, building materials and related services. The company has a diverse portfolio with hundreds of name-brand products, many of which are leaders in the markets they serve. Mantrose-Haeuser Co., Inc. has been at the forefront of developing superior edible coatings and specialty products for the pharmaceutical, confectionery, agricultural, food, personal care and industrial industries for decades. Since our company was founded over 100 years ago, we have been delivering unparalleled results to our clients for all of their coating and custom product development needs.
NatureSeal® both an industry veteran and fresh-cut produce pioneer, has been a leading expert in shelf-life extension technology worldwide. Our patented line of products has grown exponentially, offering produce solutions to the processor, foodservice and home use markets.
Profile Food Ingredients offers a wide range of specialty product formulations for use in dairy products, baked goods, beverages, confections, nutraceuticals, dips, dressings and sauces. Its product line promotes uniformity, enhances texture, thickens, prevents separation and extends shelf life and includes clean label, non-GMO, organic and natural solutions.
Since 1946, Holton Food Products has been helping its customers succeed by providing quality ingredients, customized product development and technical support-all fueled by strong food science and applications experience. This dedication and know-how has enabled our customers to build appealing product lines, increase sales and improve margins.Apply for this ad Online!....Read more...