Coatings Performance & Testing Chemist

Recruiter

Elchemie

Job Ref

JHB000057/SvdM

Date posted

Friday, July 10, 2026

Location

Johannesburg, South Africa

SUMMARY

Job Title: Coatings Performance & Testing Chemist

Location: Eastrand, Gauteng

Industry: Paint/Coating manufacturing

Type: Permanent /

Environment:Â Combination of laboratory, factory floor and office environments.

About The Role

The Coatings Performance & Testing Chemist is the performance authority for every product the Company manufactures. The role owns performance evaluation of existing and new products – adhesion, gloss, sprayability, workability, UV resistance, corrosion resistance and related properties – manages third-party and accredited laboratory testing, and closes the loop between measured performance, formulation adjustments and customer expectations. This is a dedicated testing and evaluation role working alongside the development chemists

POSITION INFO

What you’ll be doing Design and run structured performance test programmes for new and existing products across all product categories. Test and report on application and film properties: adhesion, gloss, hardness, flexibility, sprayability (gravity-fed and air-assisted), brushability, workability, hiding power, drawdown, drying and curing behaviour. Run durability and resistance testing: UV / weathering exposure, corrosion resistance (salt spray), chemical and abrasion resistance, water and humidity resistance. Benchmark Company products against competitor products Maintain a performance database Select, brief and manage external and accredited laboratories for testing beyond in-house capability Prepare and dispatch samples, define test protocols against relevant SANS / ISO / ASTM / EN methods Work with the development chemists to translate performance gaps into specific formulation adjustments. Re-test adjusted formulations and confirm performance targets are met before production release Work with the Company’s external sales representatives to confirm that product specifications offered to clients match tested, achievable performance Review client and tender specifications; confirm which Company products comply and identify testing needed to close gaps. Maintain test methods aligned to SANS / ISO / ASTM standards and keep test equipment calibrated in line with ISO good-practice principles. What you’ll need BSc / BTech / National Diploma in Chemistry, Polymer Science, Materials Science or a related field, and/or SAPMA Modules 1–4 or equivalent 2–10 years’ experience in coatings testing, coatings QC or formulation support in a paint or coatings environment Hands-on competence with standard coatings test equipment and methods (adhesion testers, gloss meters, DFT gauges, viscometers, spray equipment, salt spray and weathering cabinets or equivalent exposure programmes). Working knowledge of coating test standards (SANS, ISO, ASTM) and specification-based evaluation. Strong report-writing and data-handling skills. Valid Code 8 driver’s license and own transport Microsoft Excel proficiency – confident use of Excel for test logs, results databases, QC data capture, basic formulas (SUM, AVERAGE, IF, VLOOKUP / XLOOKUP), tables, charts and pivot reporting Rigorous test discipline – methodical execution of test methods; results must be repeatable, traceable and defensible. Integrity and confidentiality – unwavering protection of the Company’s formulations, test data and intellectual property, and absolute respect for the IP of all third parties What is in it for you? Market related Cash component remuneration Incentives/Bonusses, based on Performance A Few Things to Know Combination of laboratory, factory floor and office environments. Regular handling of solvents, resins, pigments and reactive chemistries; full PPE compliance is mandatory. Standard hours Monday to Friday, 07:30–16:30. Overtime and occasional weekend work are expected where test programmes, batch deadlines or technical emergencies require, and are included in the cost-to-company package. Travel to customer sites, third-party laboratories and supplier facilities, primarily within Gauteng  Ready to Apply? Click Apply  and please complete your application in full. If you don’t hear from us within 3 months, your application was not successful. However, we may contact you for other roles in the future (with your permission).  Data Privacy Notice By applying, you consent to Elchemie processing your personal data for the purpose of job matching. Your data will be securely stored and shared only with trusted service providers and clients.