Join a friendly, employee-owned, award-winning international outdoor business as a Product Developer
The Company
Located in the picturesque, rural setting of East Sussex, Nikwax is a highly successful outdoor business that is run by a close-knit and friendly team of employees, whom we are proud to call Partners.
Nikwax Ltd. develops care products and material systems that improve performance and extend the life of clothing, footwear and equipment whilst minimising environmental impact with clean chemistry. We develop and manufacture in-house, from our headquarters in Wadhurst, East Sussex. Nikwax are the only outdoor company to have won the Queen’s Award for Sustainable Development and all operations have been carbon balanced since the company was founded in 1977. We have an ongoing dedication to minimising our impact on the environment and a hardworking team of people to help develop the business.
We highly value our Partners, and this is an exciting opportunity to join our company.
The Role
As a Product Developer, you'll be tasked with improving Nikwax products, processes, quality and consistency by delivering jobs on time, applying new chemistry, developing processes and carrying out testing to support all aspects of product development.
Your Responsibilities Will Include
- Supporting the Senior Product Developer by improving existing products in line with defined goals and product development timelines
- Applying new, improved chemistry developed by the team to existing products and processes
- Contributing to the development and improvement of Nikwax’s internal manufacturing, and externally applied processes
- Carrying out testing to support all aspects of Nikwax Product, from development to supply and operations, accurately recording and reporting results
- Being responsible for the scale up of development formulations, from pilot plant to manufacturing
- Supporting the development of new, innovative chemistry through research and lab work
- Being responsible for the sourcing and scheduling of regular competitor testing
- Carrying out Quality Control (QC) testing as required and assisting with troubleshooting problems and processes
- Being competent in the use of plant and lab equipment and organising required maintenance
- Ensuring Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) is maintained and practiced during lab work, ensuring the lab is kept organised and safe.
You Will
- Have a BSc in Chemistry, or a related subject
- Know your way around a laboratory and be able to demonstrate safe working practices
- Be confident using standard computer software packages, such as Microsoft Office
- Demonstrate an enthusiastic, thorough and systematic approach to working.
You will be working in a busy manufacturing environment near Wadhurst, East Sussex; due to the rural location you must have your own transport.
The Rewards
- Competitive benefits and rewards including pension, health cash plan and profit related bonus scheme
- Additional flexible benefits options including boosted pension contributions, extra holiday or assistance with childcare costs
- Annual leave starting at 27 days rising with service, plus public holidays
- Friendly and informal environment with monthly team lunches and quarterly events
- Be part of an employee-owned business where you can clearly see the effect of your efforts
- Contribute to an award-winning international company with values that you can believe in.
We are passionate and committed to being an inclusive and diverse employer, encouraging different perspectives and experiences to make us a more innovative and creative workplace.
To Apply
If you would like to apply for this position, please send us your CV & Covering Letter (clearly stating your salary requirements and whether you have the right to work in the UK) by Sunday 12th April 2026 to recruitment@nikwax.co.uk
Previous applicants need not apply.
Candidates must be able to provide evidence of their right to work in the UK.
Please see our applicant privacy policy here: https://www.nikwax.com/download/JobApplicantPrivacyNotice_20180511.pdf
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