Matt Critchley hit 43, but Essex claimed victory on the final day of the Specsavers County Championship match at The 3aaa County Ground, Derby.
Critchley and Charlie Macdonell (35 not out), on first-class debut, provided the only resistance on the final morning as Graham Napier returned figures of 4-50 to dismiss Derbyshire for 303 and seal victory for Essex by an innings and 62 runs.
Ravi Bopara (2-15) claimed two wickets in the first over of the day, with night-watchman Callum Parkinson (0) and Alex Mellor (0) falling within six balls.
Critchley, following his 36 in the first innings, played nicely for his 43 taking the attack to the Essex bowlers. The 20-year-old hit eight fours in his 52-balls innings, but fell seven short of his half-century with Derbyshire 285-8 after following-on.
Napier struck the final blows for Essex as he dismissed Milnes (8) and Palladino (0), leaving Macdonell unbeaten on 35, as the hosts were all out for 303.
Derbyshire are back in Specsavers County Championship action from Wednesday 31 August when they welcome Gloucestershire to The 3aaa County Ground.
