A Chemical compounder

Love science and have a knack for numbers? Always dreamed of wearing the infamous white lab coat and safety goggles? Then maybe you've just stumbled across a career that will be of interest to you! Meet Damien Langford who works as a Chemical Compounder testing and working with products that you use on a daily basis. 

DAMIEN LANGFORD: CHEMICAL COMPOUNDER

Can you describe a typical day on the job?

The start of the day involves preparing large tanks/equipment for the product I will be making that day. The rest of the day involves reading and following the method provided. This will involve pouring different raw materials into the tank at certain times as well as heating/cooling the product at different times. At the end of the day most the products made that day are pumped into storage vessels until they are packaged for the client.

Why did you choose to become a chemist?

I stumbled upon this career looking for a job in a laboratory. My work has a laboratory team that tests all products and raw materials ensuring that everything we make and use pass the standard requirements.

I have always been fascinated by sciences since early schooling and this is what brought me to this job now.

What are three key personality aspects or skills that make for a good chemical compounder?

• Definitely a good memory because in my job you need to remember where you are up to in the batch and remember when you are heating/cooling otherwise you might ruin the product.

• Good attention to detail will contribute to your success over time working as a compounder you learn to notice small things in products that point to if there is an issue with the batch or not. Such things could include small lumps in creams or streaking.

• Time Management is huge when making batches if you poorly manage your time you will find yourself at the end of the day with too much left to do.

What have you learned about yourself through the work that you do?

I have learned that I definitely need to improve my time management skills to improve my success rate as a compounder I need to be setting up my tanks and equipment the day before and reading ahead of time of what the product I’m making entails.

What’s been your best moment while doing your work?

The best moments at my work usually come from watching the products I make turn from a watery substance to a cream I don’t know why but it is really satisfying to watch it happen.

And a difficult moment?

Hard moments happen most days but I'd say the hardest moments are when something goes wrong with your batch or when you’re making a complicated product and it just creates new challenges.

How do you keep going when things get really tough?

My team around me help me keep going and not to give up they are very helpful and have a good mindset when it comes to work. Everyone is willing to give a helping a hand.

Are there any surprising or odd things that people wouldn’t expect if they picked this career?

I guess it's strange to see the products we make in such large quantities I never thought I would see 2 tonnes of toothpaste in a giant tank or 5 tonnes of handwash.

Can you share a funny or weird story about something you experienced while working on a project?

A co-worker had horse ulcer cream splashed into his mouth by accident which was funny well not for him but other than that haven’t really had any weird or odd things happen.

What advice would you give to young people thinking of pursuing a career in this industry?

Research formulas and raw materials of the products you want to be making so that when you start work you will already have some prior knowledge of the materials you are working with. Other than that just be ready to do a lot of lifting and pulling of heavy tanks and pallets.