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Color Chemist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

INX International Ink Co.

R&D Chemist

Edwardsville, KS · On-site

Company Description In a world of vibrant color, INX stands out by blending art, science, and ... We are seeking a motivated R&D Chemist to join our Edwardsville, KS laboratory team. This role is ...

Finish Tech Corp

Chemist

Warminster, PA · On-site

We are looking for an energetic, motivated Chemist to help develop the next generation of coatings ... All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color ...

Finish Tech Corp

Chemist

Warminster, PA · On-site

We are looking for an energetic, motivated Chemist to help develop the next generation of coatings ... All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color ...

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Color Chemist information

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$17

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$52

How much do color chemist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for color chemist in the United States is $30.99, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.04 and $35.58 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a color chemist?

To thrive as a Color Chemist, you need a solid background in chemistry, color science, and analytical techniques, usually supported by a bachelor's or master's degree in chemistry or a related field. Familiarity with spectrophotometers, color matching software, and laboratory information management systems (LIMS) is commonly required. Attention to detail, problem-solving, and effective communication are critical soft skills for collaborating with cross-functional teams and delivering precise results. These skills and qualifications are essential to consistently develop accurate, high-quality color formulations that meet industry and client standards.

What is the difference between Color Chemist vs Color Technologist?

AspectColor ChemistColor Technologist
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related fieldBachelor's degree in Chemistry, Material Science, or related field
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, R&D facilities, manufacturing plantsLaboratories, production facilities, quality control labs
Industry UsageDevelops and formulates colorants, dyes, and pigmentsApplies color formulations in manufacturing, quality control, and product development
Common Search/ComparisonColor Chemist vs Color Technologist

While both roles involve working with colors and require similar educational backgrounds, a Color Chemist primarily focuses on developing and synthesizing new color compounds, whereas a Color Technologist applies existing color formulations in production and quality control. Understanding these differences helps employers and job seekers identify the right career path or job opportunity in the color industry.

What is a color chemist?

Color Chemists are specialized scientists who study, develop, and apply colorants such as dyes and pigments in various products. They work in industries like textiles, paints, plastics, cosmetics, and food to ensure colors are vibrant, stable, and safe. Their work involves chemical analysis, formulation, and testing to achieve desired visual effects and meet regulatory standards. Color Chemists often collaborate with product designers and engineers to create new colors or improve existing ones.

How does a color chemist collaborate with product development and quality assurance teams?

Color Chemists play a critical role in cross-functional teams by working closely with product development to formulate colors that meet design specifications and performance requirements. They also coordinate with quality assurance to ensure that color consistency and stability are maintained throughout production batches. Frequent communication, sample testing, and troubleshooting are essential parts of this collaboration, ensuring that products achieve both aesthetic appeal and compliance with industry standards.

How do you become a color chemist?

To become a color chemist, typically a bachelor's degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, or a related field is required. Gaining experience through internships or entry-level positions in chemical laboratories and developing skills in color formulation, spectroscopy, and laboratory techniques are important steps. Advanced roles may require a master's or doctoral degree and knowledge of industry-specific tools and standards.
More about Color Chemist jobs
What cities are hiring for Color Chemist jobs? Cities with the most Color Chemist job openings:
What states have the most Color Chemist jobs? States with the most job openings for Color Chemist jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Color Chemist jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Color Chemist jobs are:
Color Chemist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Color Chemist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $64,466 per year, or $31 per hour.

SME - CD&D Confections Color - Erlanger, KY

Archer Daniels Midland

Erlanger, KY

Full-time

Re-posted 2 days ago

ADM rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 185 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

77th of 360 rated logistics

Job description

Subject Matter Expert (SME), CD&D Confections Colors - Erlanger, KY
Position Overview:
The CD&D Colors Application Scientist (Confections) serves as a technical subject matter expert in color application across confectionery systems, delivering innovative, commercially viable color solutions that meet evolving customer, regulatory, and consumer demands.
This role focuses on natural color performance in confection matrices (e.g., gummies, hard candy, panned products, chocolate systems), translating fundamental color science into practical applications that enable successful commercialization.
The ideal candidate combines deep expertise in confection processing with strong knowledge of color chemistry, enabling them to solve complex stability and performance challenges while partnering closely with customers.
 

Key Responsibilities:
  • Application Development & Testing
    • Design and execute experiments evaluating color performance in confectionery systems (e.g., high/low moisture, gelatin vs. pectin systems, sugar vs. sugar-free).
    • Assess color behavior under processing and storage conditions including:
      • Heat (cooking, extrusion)
      • pH variation
      • Water activity
      • Light exposure and shelf life
    • Analyze interactions between colors and confection ingredients (acids, sugars, polyols, fats, coatings).
    • Generate actionable data to guide formulation and recommend optimized solutions.
  • Subject Matter Leadership - Confections
    • Act as the go-to expert for confection applications across CD&D and commercial teams.
    • Lead troubleshooting for complex challenges such as:
      • Color fade or instability
      • Shade variability in panning/coating systems
      • Migration or bleeding issues
    • Support development of best practices and application guidelines for internal and external stakeholders.
  • Customer Collaboration & Commercialization
    • Partner directly with customers' R&D teams to deliver Concept-through-Commercialization support, especially in transitions to Natural Colors
    • Translate technical findings into clear, customer-ready recommendations.
    • Participate in customer visits, presentations and pilot trials.
    • Support business growth by enabling fit-for-purpose color solutions that meet cost, performance and regulatory needs.
  • Innovation & Portfolio Development
    • Identify gaps and opportunities in the confection color portfolio.
    • Collaborate with Color and Product Development teams to:
      • Develop new formulations
      • Improve performance in challenging systems (i.e. high-acid gummies, fat-based coatings, etc)
      • Contribute to innovation pipelines aligned to market trends and customer needs (i.e. clean label, reduced sugar, etc)
      • Migration or bleeding issues
  • Cross-Functional Partnership
    • Work closely with internal CD&D, Regulatory, Marketing and Commercial teams to ensure alignment between technical abilities and commercial strategy.
    • Contribute to the development of technical training materials and best-practice guides for color use.
Qualifications
  • Bachelor's or higher in Food Science, Chemistry or related field.
  • 5-10+ years in food applications, with strong focus on confectionery systems
  • Demonstrated experience in color application and troubleshooting
  • Experience with natural colors and FD&C replacement strategies strongly preferred
  • Deep knowledge of:
  • Confection processing technologies
  • Color chemistry and stability principles
  • Ingredient interactions in complex matrices
  • Hands-on experience with:
  • Pilot plant / lab-scale confection production
  • Analytical and sensory evaluation of color performance
Key Competencies
  • Strong problem-solving and experimental design capability
  • Customer-facing communication skills (executive and technical audiences)
  • Ability to translate technical insights into commercial impact
  • Collaborative mindset across global teams
Success Profile
  • Recognized internally and externally as a confection color expert
  • Drives high win rates through technically differentiated solutions
  • Accelerates customer transitions to natural colors
  • Demonstrates strong linkage between technical delivery and revenue generation
Excited about this role but don't think you meet every requirement listed? We encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this role or another one of our openings.
ADM requires the successful completion of a background check. 
REF:110024BR

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