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Thomas Brooke specializes in recruiting top-performing Applications Chemist professionals who bring expertise, innovation, and impact to your team in the paints, coatings, polymers, and specialty materials industries.
An Applications Chemist serves as the critical link between your technical capabilities and customer needs in the specialty materials industry. They work directly with customers to understand their specific requirements and develop tailored solutions using your existing product portfolio or guiding new product development.
This role combines technical expertise with customer-facing responsibilities, requiring the ability to troubleshoot application issues, provide technical support, and demonstrate product performance. They often work in laboratory settings testing formulations under customer-specific conditions, then translate those findings into practical recommendations. Success depends on both deep technical knowledge and strong communication skills to build trust with customers and internal teams.
Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related technical field required.
Industry Experience: 3-6 years in coatings, polymers, or specialty chemicals with customer-facing or applications development experience.
Technical Expertise: Strong understanding of product performance characteristics and ability to correlate laboratory results with real-world applications.
Customer Service Skills: Excellent communication abilities for explaining technical concepts to diverse audiences and building strong customer relationships.
Problem-Solving Approach: Analytical mindset for diagnosing application issues and developing creative solutions within existing product constraints.
Travel Flexibility: Willingness to travel to customer sites for technical support, training, and application development activities.
Applications Chemist compensation reflects the specialized nature of customer-facing technical roles. Starting salaries typically range from $70,000 for entry-level positions, with experienced professionals earning around $90,000, and senior specialists reaching $115,000 or higher. Many companies offer additional incentives tied to customer satisfaction metrics and successful product placements.
Your products’ technical superiority only creates value when customers can successfully implement them. An Applications Chemist ensures your innovations translate into customer success, building the technical relationships that drive long-term business growth and customer loyalty.
This role directly impacts customer retention and expansion by providing the technical expertise that differentiates your company from competitors. They transform technical features into customer benefits, increasing the likelihood of successful product adoption. Strong applications support builds trust and confidence on the the customer’s part, especially when there are specific applications requirements or methods required for success.
At Thomas Brooke, we specialize in executive search & recruiting in the paints, coatings, polymers, and specialty materials industries. Our process ensures that your company hires a strategic, forward-thinking individual who understands your industry’s unique challenges and opportunities.
To learn more about our specialized recruiting expertise, visit Our Expertise.
