R&D Skin Care Manager

R&D Skin Care Manager

Location:

Cranbury, New Jersey

Type:
Direct Hire

Compensation: $92,000 - $120,000

Contractor Work Model:
Onsite – onsite

Hours:

8:30 AM - 4:30 PM / 9 AM - 5 PM (some flex) M-F

Overview: A fantastic opportunity to join a fast-growing, innovation-driven beauty and skincare brand with a highly engaged consumer following. This position offers the chance to build and launch standout products in a collaborative, entrepreneurial R&D environment.

• Lead the development of innovative skin care formulations, focusing on clean ingredients, including serums, masks, treatment products, and sensitive skin products
• Manage bench-level formulation development, mentoring scientists and technicians in new chassis formulations
• Oversee creation of new product lines and collaborate with Product Development to translate consumer trends into innovative products
• Coordinate with Contract Manufacturers (CM) for tech transfers, pilot batches, and line trials to ensure formula standards and consistency
• Work with packaging teams to ensure compatibility and performance aligns with marketing objectives
• Partner with QA and CM to develop standards and resolve product-related issues
• Support NPD in adhering to project timelines and new development initiatives
• Manage and mentor a team of formulation scientists and technicians, fostering a culture of innovation
• Develop and refine scalable production processes to ensure product quality and efficiency
• Establish and maintain supplier relationships, evaluating new raw materials and technologies
• Ensure all development activities comply with FDA and other relevant regulations, and stay updated on regulatory changes affecting personal care products

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Cosmetic Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related discipline
• 7-10 years of experience in consumer products and technology innovation, especially in skin care
• Proven track record of scientific achievement and team leadership
• Strong business acumen and strategic thinking skills
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities
• Experience managing scientist resources and cross-functional teams
• Deep understanding of formulation in skin care, including serums, masks, and sensitive skin products
• Knowledge of regulatory compliance, raw material evaluation, and process optimization
• Ability to balance innovation with commercial viability in a competitive market

Skin care formulation leadership (bench-to-scale), clean ingredient strategy, chassis development (serums /masks/ treatments & sensitive-skin), emulsion / rheology/ sensorial optimization, raw material evaluation & supplier/ CMO partnership, tech transfer/ pilot batches /line trials and scale-up troubleshooting, stability & compatibility testing, claims substantiation and consumer evaluation methods, global cosmetics regulatory & compliance mindset, cross-functional collaboration (Packaging/ QA/ Supply Chain/ Marketing/ NPD), project management/ resource planning, and team mentoring/people leadership