What does a formulator do?
Formulator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real formulator resumes:
- Manage daily production schedule, monitor machine operation, addressed any etching machinery problems.
- wear proper PPE for the jobs need to be done.
- Follow all PPE rules and requirements.
- Construct spectrophotometer database for all lacquer and UV base inks.
- Warehouse, packing and stacking pallets, fill jugs with product, and cleaning
- Operate blend tanks, agitators, and various pump as directed by batch record.
- Develop novel compounds for FDA approval, delivery and storage systems, and product degradation tables.
- Review the daily computer log and report any inaccuracies in the process board, per FDA standards.
- Inspect meat, run the soy machine, janitorial duties, wash down machines at the end of shift
- Participate in GMP manufacturing of medical rings.
- Maintain accurate records of control substances used in transdermal materials according to DEA regulations.
- Evaluate current lab practices and independent initialization of startup procedures for new lab practices and lab organization for ISO accreditation.
- Operate material handling equipment including but not limit to forklifts, pallet jacks, and barrel handlers.
- Perform density and gravity testing following corresponding ASTM methods.
Formulator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 16% of Formulators are proficient in FDA, R, and QC. They’re also known for soft skills such as Ability to use technology, Analytical skills, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Formulators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- FDA, 16%
Utilize manufacturing equipment and in-process instrumentation to manufacture products in accordance to current good manufacturing practices and FDA regulations.
- R, 13%
Operated and maintained Polysilicon Synthesis, distillation and Reactor processes for R and D development.
- QC, 10%
Performed required testing for batch product evaluation based on established specifications, and communicate with QC manager.
- GMP, 10%
Participated in GMP manufacturing of medical rings.
- Pallets, 9%
Use electric pallet jack for bulk chemicals.
- ISO, 7%
Perform quality assurance analysis according to the ISO 9002 specifications on high purity chemicals used by computer manufacturing companies.
Most formulators use their skills in "fda," "r," and "qc" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential formulator responsibilities here:
Analytical skills. Many formulator duties rely on analytical skills. "chemical technicians must be methodical in conducting scientific experiments and interpreting data.," so a formulator will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways formulator responsibilities rely on analytical skills: "collected product samples for laboratory analysis. "
Communication skills. This is an important skill for formulators to perform their duties. For an example of how formulator responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "chemical technicians must explain their work to scientists and engineers or to workers who may not have a technical background." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a formulator: "establish and maintain open communication with all departments to ensure the manufacturing process operates efficiently. ".
The three companies that hire the most formulators are:
- BioFire Diagnostics4 formulators jobs
- CACI International2 formulators jobs
- Central Garden & Pet2 formulators jobs
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Compare different formulators
Formulator vs. Analytical technician
Analytical technicians are professionals who are responsible for managing the daily operation of activities in a laboratory as well as maintain lab equipment to ensure a high standard of sanitation. These technicians must assist in laboratory work, such as developing analytical test methods and performing analysis of raw materials and in-process samples. They are required to maintain relevant files and data records but should inform the laboratory manager when they are faced with technical problems. Analytical technicians should also determine the physical and chemical properties of compounds by using quantitative and qualitative analyses.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a formulator are more likely to require skills like "qc," "pallets," "qa," and "formulation equipment." On the other hand, a job as an analytical technician requires skills like "lab equipment," "sql," "lims," and "data analysis." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Analytical technicians tend to make the most money working in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $87,311. In contrast, formulators make the biggest average salary, $88,131, in the finance industry.The education levels that analytical technicians earn slightly differ from formulators. In particular, analytical technicians are 2.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a formulator. Additionally, they're 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Formulator vs. Chemical compounder
Chemical processors are the workers who prepare a variety of chemicals for manufacturing and production. The processors operate and monitor the equipment that controls the chemical reactions when processing consumer or industrial products. They ensure that the work performed in the operations meets the work quality standards and that all materials and equipment follow the specifications when used. Also, they must have the ability to read and understand blueprints to make sure that every part of their equipment is in excellent condition before use.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that formulator responsibilities requires skills like "pallets," "qa," "formulation equipment," and "usda." But a chemical compounder might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "chemical reactions," "mixers," "test results," and "production equipment."
Chemical compounders earn similar levels of education than formulators in general. They're 2.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Formulator vs. Chemical processor
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, formulators are more likely to have skills like "qc," "pallets," "qa," and "formulation equipment." But a chemical processor is more likely to have skills like "safety procedures," "osha," "etching," and "hazardous waste."
When it comes to education, chemical processors tend to earn similar degree levels compared to formulators. In fact, they're 1.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Formulator vs. Chemical dependency technician
Types of formulator
Updated January 8, 2025
