Careers in our industry

Product developers need to make sure that:

• the ingredients are compatible and result in an effective and safe product—both for human health and the environment
• the product remains stable, well mixed and free from bacteria throughout its lifespan (from manufacture to final use)
• the product has a suitable consistency for application, e.g. a paste, liquid, spray or gel, throughout its lifespan
• the ingredients are cost effective
• that suitable protective packaging allows safe and effective delivery of the product for the duration of its shelf-life, whilst factoring in sustainability considerations
• that effective quality control procedures are in place, ensuring consistency and safety during production
• that complete labelling and other information is provided, including instructions for use, emergency and first aid information, and manufacturer contact information
• that all aspects of the product’s lifecycle comply with the relevant regulations

Formulations are technically complex mixtures. It is a formulation chemist’s job to determine the best combination of ingredients to give a mixture with the right properties.

It would be an enormous task to screen every possible combination of ingredients for any given formulation task. This means that the careful selection of a starting point for a formulation is important.

You need to balance a multi-ingredient system that could include water, surfactants, solvents, oils, polymers, salts, fragrances, preservatives, enzymes, biocides or other actives, UV filters, abrasives…and more.

You need it to do its job effectively and safely, whether cleaning, disinfecting, moisturising, delivering sun protection—or myriad other functions.

You need to achieve a desirable pH, and understand how this pH will affect, for example, the monomer and micelle composition of polymers. And this has a knock-on effect, as you need to understand how the solubility of fragrance ingredients varies with, for example, the micelle composition.

You need to achieve temperature stability so that the mixture will not change in appearance or performance during storage, including through interactions with the packaging.

You need to achieve a suitable viscosity for application e.g. a toilet bowl cleaner needs to cling to the porcelain; a spray & wipe or window cleaner needs to be suitable for spraying.

You need to achieve the right amount of foam in application, or no foam.

You need it to be scalable—so that the product can actually be made and sold in the marketplace.

You may need to deliver a specific active ingredient, meet an Australian Standard or pass a specified test.

And you need to do all this with raw materials that are available in Australia (or commence the regulatory process to import a new chemical), that fit with the ethos of your company (e.g. based on its sustainability  priorities) and that meet budget parameters at the production scale.

It’s like a complex puzzle, with a real-world application!

Ensure products and processes meet specific requirements, including regulatory requirements (legal requirements) or in-house requirements (e.g. quality control standards).

Example job titles:

Regulatory Affairs Manager
Regulatory Specialist
Product Compliance Steward
Compliance Manager
Technical, Quality and Regulatory Manager
Product Environment, Health & Safety Specialist
Technical and Regulatory Consultant
Quality Assurance Manager
Operations Supervisor
Manufacturing/Plant Manager

Relate to how the business is run e.g. responsible for company performance, policy development and implementation, strategic planning, goal setting, prioritisation, financial decision-making, people management, collaboration.

Example job titles:

Managing Director
Executive Chairman
Business Manager
Business Development Manager
Industry Manager

Create new or improved products that satisfy performance standards, meet regulatory requirements and sustainability parameters.

Example job titles:

Research & Development Manager / Leader / Chemist
Product Development Manager
Senior Scientist
Chief Chemist
Development Chemist
Formulator
Technical Manager
Laboratory Technician
Consultant Formulator
Technical Account Manager

Promote and sell goods or services, e.g. through building customer relationships, analysing market research and creating advertising campaigns.

Example job titles:

Sales Manager/Director
Marketing Manager
Account Manager

I evaluate and source raw materials for use in our products, and in the lab I undertake product development and product improvement.

I develop test methods to determine the quality of our products and also assist in production (i.e. making large-scale batches for sale) e.g. in batch corrections, maintenance of quality systems and quality control. And I also handle customer complaints/queries.

I test and approve finished products, intermediates, raw materials and packaging, as well as investigating the causes of non-conformances and customer product complaints.

I help maintain our quality systems in accordance with the requirements of international standards, draft amendments to quality documents and maintain instrument calibration and quality records in the laboratory.

I am responsible for new product development, innovation, technical & sales support, quality management and regulatory compliance.

This means I receive updates on key R&D projects within the business and provide direction on these. I liaise with internal staff and customers regarding product use, performance, and troubleshoot problems. I make sure all of our products and operations comply with regulations in a global marketplace, including labelling, product registrations and import/export issues.

I work closely with all aspects of the business, both in Australia and overseas. I am involved with development of new products and improving margin for existing products. My duties include project management, keeping abreast of new technologies through regular contact with suppliers and through research on the internet, and keeping up to date with new regulations.

I am responsible for managing all regulatory matters for the company. This means ensuring that all of our raw materials, finished goods, production, labels and marketing comply with all of the relevant regulatory requirements—of which there are a lot! I write dossiers for submissions to regulatory agencies, which means assessing and collating relevant data and providing justifications for our company position. I also provide regulatory training for internal regulatory staff.

There are two main focuses of my consultancy business. One is the development of new detergent products, especially for dishwashing and laundry applications. The other is chemical analysis of products for quality control and formulation benchmarking, as well as a range of performance evaluation techniques that clients may request.

As well as doing some lab work and instrument maintenance, as Director a key part of my day-to-day is strategic business development and client-related activities e.g. preparing quotes, troubleshooting client issues, overseeing finances and preparing for seminars and conferences.

As National Manager I am responsible for profit and loss for Australia. And all aspects of operations including sales, human resources, finance, supply chain, customer service, and safety, health & environment.

I am responsible for commercial and business development for the Oceania region. What does that mean? I maintain existing sales contracts and develop new products and markets. I meet with and speak to clients and prospective clients. I need to have a thorough knowledge of the business, its products, and global markets.

‘Experience in any workplace is positive—even if it isn’t STEM related.’

‘Aim for your field but don’t be troubled with taking multiple steps to get to desired field—experience can be transferred.’

‘Prepare for the workplace—what is completed in theory in lectures, tutorials and lab work is not necessarily what you will be doing at work, particularly if you are in manufacturing and operations.’

Work experience provides valuable work skills that transfer between industries.

You could seek a role in a non-STEM organisation to build your general skills and experience.  Consider short-term options, including internships.

Showing willingness and proactivity in gaining work experience—not just in a STEM role—could give you the edge when applying for the STEM role you really want.

Written resources also exist. One member recommends ‘The Unwritten Laws of Business’ by W.J. King as ‘mandatory reading for all STEM graduates’.

‘Have someone experienced help with your CV and cover letter.’

Your CV is like a key, unlocking that door of job opportunity. Or at least, giving you the chance to reach the next stage in the application process.

Your CV may be one of many in a large pile of applications. How can you help yours to stand out? Having someone experienced—perhaps someone in HR, a senior professional, someone in the industry, or at the very least another pair of eyes to check for errors and readability—may help improve your chances of making a great first impression. University career centres often provide their students with this kind of assistance.

‘Tailor each job application (CV and Cover Letter) to the specific role/organisation you are applying to.’

‘Make connections between skills you have gained e.g. via part-time employment/volunteering, such as time management, working in a team, professionalism etc.’

Yes, this takes effort. But it is essential that you tailor your CV and cover letter for the specific position. This enables you to highlight the right aspects of your experience and also shows that you are serious about the role.

‘List other activities, not just work related. Employers are looking for cultural fits as much as they are qualifications.’

What does a recruiter want to know before employing someone new? They want to know if that person has suitable knowledge, skills and capacity to succeed in the role. But they also want to know about how that person will fit in with the organisation and others working there.

Your hobbies and interests can help give a more rounded picture of what your interests are—try to match the ones that best strengthen your offering to the role. It’s ok to show some personality in your CV, but also remember that it is a professional document that should communicate clearly and succinctly why you are the best fit for a role.

‘TELL THE TRUTH about abilities and experience.’

This should go without saying!

‘Research the organisation you are applying to, find ways you can add value to that organisation and ensure you come armed with intelligent questions about the role or the company.’

It is well worth taking the time to learn about the organisation you are applying to work for. This shows that you are serious about working there and will also give you insight into what they do and how they operate.

Your research will help you tailor your responses to show how you will be a valuable asset to the organisation. You can also identify what it is about the organisation that appeals to you, and to reflect this in your answers.

Remember that you are also, in a sense, interviewing them. Will the role and the organisational culture be a good fit for you? Are there challenging aspects of the role? The interview is a great opportunity to learn more, to uncover/minimise any reservations the interviewer may have about your suitability and to show that you are keen to excel in the role.

‘Bring your academic record to the interviews’

It never hurts to be prepared and proactive. Have a copy of that glowing academic record and any other relevant documentation on hand to whip out at the appropriate moment, or to leave with the interviewer.

‘Get interview experience’

Attending job interviews is not high on most peoples’ list of fun things to do. They can be daunting and sometimes uncomfortable. Two common symptoms of interview nerves are verbal diarrhoea: ‘Blah blah blah…’; or, becoming tongue-tied: ‘Um…er…’

In addition to researching the organisation, there are other ways in which you can prepare for the interview. Look up common interview questions. Note down your key skills, experience, successes (and failures!), past projects etc. and work out how they demonstrate your suitability for the role. Make sure that you cover ‘soft skills’ as well as any industry-specific knowledge or skills—and it is OK to use non-work experiences to help demonstrate these as well!

Enlist the help of a someone to play the role of interviewer—and authorise them to have no mercy.

If you are thrown by any questions, smile, be yourself, and don’t be afraid to ask for a moment to consider your response.

Just can’t crack your target industry or dream role? How about showing initiative through volunteering?

If there is a particular organisation you would love to work for, offer your services. State when you are available and be prepared to accept any work that comes your way, however mundane. This will get your name and face known, provides an opportunity to prove yourself a valuable asset, and could put you in the right place at the right time—especially as many roles are not formally advertised. You will also get a better feel for the culture of the organisation and whether it will be a good fit for you.

We asked our industry ‘In which non-technical knowledge/skills do you consider STEM graduates should be better equipped prior to working in our industry?’

This list may help you identify where you need to up-skill, or what to demonstrate via your CV and at interview.

• Critical thinking/problem solving
• Project management and planning
• Awareness of how a business is structured/operates
• Relating work to money/profit
• Ability to learn new skills
• Working as part of a team
• Managing a diverse range of clients/stakeholders
• Writing for business communication

Make the most of what your university offers.

‘Seek out mentoring opportunities at university; often there are university/industry alumni mentorship programs.’

‘Seek employment via university placement schemes.’

There are also some specific university courses that include an industry-based component. One example is Monash University’s Graduate Research Industry Program (GRIP), an industry-led PhD program that includes projects—most relevant to our industry—in the chemicals and polymers space.

Have realistic salary expectations!

‘Accept to be at the beginning of the pay scale: there is a lot to learn during the three first years at least.’

Network, network, network.

‘Utilise contacts (perhaps past graduates, lecturers, friends).’

‘Attend as many industry events as you can.’ (And talk to people!)

‘Network with STEM extra-curricular activities and societies.’