Senior Product Developer - Skincare & Cosmetics

Our client is looking for an innovative and experienced Senior Product Developer specializing in skincare and cosmetics to join their esteemed Research & Development team. This role is crucial in conceptualizing, formulating, and bringing to market groundbreaking beauty and wellness products. You will be at the forefront of ingredient research, formulation design, stability testing, and regulatory compliance, ensuring that all products meet the highest standards of efficacy, safety, and consumer appeal. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of cosmetic chemistry, consumer trends in the beauty industry, and a passion for creating high-performance formulations. You will work closely with marketing, regulatory affairs, and manufacturing teams to guide products from ideation through to commercialization.

Responsibilities: Lead the ideation, research, and development of new skincare and cosmetic products, from concept to launch. Formulate and reformulate products, optimizing for efficacy, stability, texture, scent, and aesthetic appeal. Conduct extensive research on innovative ingredients, raw materials, and emerging cosmetic technologies. Perform benchtop formulations, pilot batches, and scale-up trials, ensuring consistency and quality. Oversee and conduct stability, compatibility, and preservative efficacy testing. Ensure all formulations comply with global regulatory requirements (e.g., FDA, EU, Health Canada). Collaborate with the marketing team to translate consumer insights and market trends into viable product concepts. Work closely with the regulatory affairs team to ensure accurate product claims and documentation. Partner with the manufacturing team to ensure smooth and efficient production scale-up and commercial manufacturing. Evaluate competitive products and industry trends to maintain a leading edge in product innovation. Manage project timelines, budgets, and resources effectively. Maintain detailed laboratory notebooks and documentation for all R&D activities. Present product development findings and updates to cross-functional teams and management.

Qualifications: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Cosmetic Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline. Minimum of 6 years of hands-on experience in product development within the skincare and/or cosmetics industry. Proven expertise in formulating a wide range of cosmetic product types (e.g., creams, lotions, serums, cleansers, makeup). In-depth knowledge of cosmetic ingredients, their functions, safety profiles, and sourcing. Strong understanding of cosmetic regulations in major global markets. Experience with analytical techniques and instrumentation relevant to cosmetic testing. Excellent understanding of sensory evaluation and consumer perception of beauty products. Proficiency in using formulation software and databases. Strong project management, organizational, and problem-solving skills. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex scientific concepts. A keen eye for trends and a passion for the beauty and wellness industry.

This position is based in Los Angeles, California, US and offers a hybrid work arrangement, blending essential in-office lab work with remote strategic planning and collaboration.