R&D Manager - Formulation and Production

Our client, a well-established organization within the manufacturing and personal care industries, is seeking an experienced R&D Manager to lead innovative formulation development and drive product excellence.

• Lead the development of new product formulations from concept through to commercialisation.

• Translate marketing, customer, and private-label briefs into feasible, commercially viable products.

• Oversee laboratory formulation and prototype development, ensuring robust, scalable formulations.

• Research new ingredients, formulation technologies, and industry developments to foster innovation.

• Benchmark competitors and identify opportunities for product improvement.

• Manage formulation stability, efficacy, manufacturability, and cost considerations.

• Support product claims with technical evidence and maintain oversight of stability programmes.

• Collaborate with production teams to ensure seamless transfer from lab to manufacturing.

• Develop and optimise manufacturing methods, resolving processing issues and ensuring regulatory compliance.

• Manage external laboratories and specialists for testing and validation.

• Evaluate raw materials and suppliers, maintaining key relationships and sourcing alternatives.

• Lead, support, and mentor the R&D team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

• Coordinate with cross-functional teams for product launches and represent R&D in stakeholder meetings.

• Preferably 5+ years of hands-on formulation experience in cosmetics or personal care.

• Proven track record of taking products from concept to commercial production.

• Strong laboratory-to-production scale-up experience.

• Skilled in formulation troubleshooting and stability testing.

• Excellent project management and collaboration capabilities.

• Knowledge of regulatory standards relevant to the industry.

• Experience in managing R&D teams and mentoring junior staff.

• Familiarity with new raw material evaluation and supplier management.