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Investing in You, join a 100-year-old, family-owned leader in Ag – and grow with us! Wilbur-Ellis invests heavily in our employees by offering skill development and training, competitive compensation and benefits, and a tradition of promoting from within for a broad range of career opportunities. And we foster a supportive, people-first work environment. “We know the confidence gap can get in the way of meeting spectacular candidates, so please don’t hesitate to apply — we’d love to hear from you.” Role Overview: The Principal Formulation Chemist will lead research and discovery activities across Wilbur-Ellis’ full portfolio of branded plant nutrition products, active ingredients, and adjuvants. This role is responsible for developing new technologies, exploring novel formulation strategies, and advancing early-stage concepts into robust prototypes. Working in a dedicated R&D environment, the chemist will drive innovation through experimental design, mechanistic studies, stability and compatibility analysis, and hands-on formulation science. This position partners closely with product management, sales enablement, marketing, regulatory, EHSS, and operations to translate scientific insights into differentiated, commercially viable solutions. This is a unique scientific role for someone who thrives on discovery, creativity, and pushing technical boundaries in plant science and agricultural chemistry. A Sample of What   You’ll   Do in this Role: Research & Discovery • Lead exploratory research for plant nutritionals, actives, and adjuvants, identifying novel formulation approaches and emerging technologies. • Conduct mechanistic and physicochemical studies to understand ingredient functionality and interactions. • Perform compatibility, stability, and functionality testing to support early-stage concept development. Formulation & Product Development • Design and optimize advanced formulations for branded plant nutrition products, EPA registered active ingredients, and adjuvants. • Develop lab-scale prototypes and conduct iterative testing to refine performance, shelf life, and field utility. • Evaluate new raw materials, delivery systems, surfactants, carriers, and stabilizing technologies. • Generate high-quality analytical data and interpret results into actionable recommendations. • Support competitive benchmarking by evaluating third-party technologies and industry trends. Cross-Functional Collaboration • Work with marketing, field sales, portfolio management, regulatory, and EHSS to advance concepts toward commercialization. • Provide scientific insight during early feasibility, labeling considerations, and regulatory strategy discussions. • Develop technical training materials for internal teams and support field education when needed. Laboratory Management • Assist daily lab operations, ensuring accurate data collection, equipment readiness, and safe working practices. • Assist and lead sample management, including sample preparation and shipping and receiving of research samples. • Foster a culture of scientific rigor, curiosity, and hands-on experimentation within the innovation lab. What You Bring to the Role: • A bachelors degree in chemistry, chemical engineering or a closely related field. • 2+ years expertise in agricultural chemistry, ideally spanning fertilizer and plant nutrition, biologicals, active ingredients, and adjuvant technologies. • Experience with biotechnology, plant metabolites, biochemical modes of action, and signaling compounds. • Strong understanding of physical chemistry, colloidal systems, surfactants, solvents, emulsions, chelation, and controlled-delivery systems. • Proven ability to design experiments and troubleshoot issues related to stability, compatibility, and performance. • Familiarity with active ingredient behavior, adjuvant interactions, and nutrient uptake mechanisms. • Experience in R&D or applied research environments; pilot-scale formulation experience a plus. What Makes You a Great Fit: • You are scientifically curious, inventive, and passionate about discovery. • You're an analytical thinker with strong attention to detail and experimental discipline. • You communicate effectively and collaborate well across technical and non-technical teams. • You're a self-starter who can lead projects independently and manage multiple priorities. • You are committed to maintaining the highest standards of laboratory safety and scientific integrity. Compensation and Benefits: • In compliance with all states and cities requiring transparency of pay, the base compensation for this position ranges from $115,400   - $161,620 . Note that salary may vary based on location, skills, and experience . • This position is eligible for an annual discretionary bonus and vacation, holidays, health, dental, vision, mental health, and retirement plan participation, including an employer contribution of up to 7% into your 401(k). Follow this link for more information   regarding   Wilbur-Ellis employee benefits:   https://mywebenefits.com/ Please note that salary ranges provided for this role on external job boards are salary estimates made by outside parties and may not be accurate. Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: Diversity of people, cultures, opinions, and ideas makes us all stronger. From leadership commitment to employee buy-in, we know that creating an inclusive environment and providing opportunities for all employees to reach their full potential is a shared responsibility. Wilbur-Ellis is a company you can be proud to call your employer Wilbur-Ellis markets and distributes agricultural products, animal feed specialty chemicals, and food ingredients. A privately held and consistently profitable company, we employ more than 4,000 people throughout North America and Asia-Pacific. Wilbur-Ellis is for and about people Wilbur-Ellis has enjoyed over 100 years of success and growth, all thanks to our people. Our employees are both leaders and team players who thrive on creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, and a dedication to quality work, our customers, and each other. Wilbur-Ellis invests in the industry’s best workforce Wilbur-Ellis invests heavily in our employees by offering skill development and training, competitive compensation and benefits, and a tradition of promoting from within for a broad range of career opportunities. And we foster a supportive, people-first work environment. Follow our career social media accounts! Instagram: IG •  TikTok: TikTok •  Facebook: FB • LinkedIn: LinkedIn