Hair Care Formulation Chemist

Client Overview:

Our client, a leading consumer products organization focused on developing innovative, science-driven personal care solutions, is seeking a Hair Care Formulation Chemist to drive the creation and optimization of high-performance hair care products. The company combines advanced research, consumer insights, and cutting-edge ingredient technologies to deliver products that meet evolving market needs and consumer expectations.

$70k - $80k

The Hair Care Formulation Chemist is responsible for developing, optimizing, and commercializing innovative hair care products, with a focus on treatments, styling products, fixatives, shampoos, and conditioners. The Hair Care Formulation Chemist leverages deep expertise in formulation science, hair biology, and ingredient technologies to create high-performing products while collaborating cross-functionally to ensure successful scale-up, regulatory compliance, and continuous innovation. The Hair Care Formulation Chemist is fully on-site 5 days a week.

Occasional domestic travel is required for the Hair Care Formulation Chemist.

• Formulate, improve, and evaluate innovative hair care products, including treatments, styling aids, and fixative systems.
• Design and create new formulation platforms (chassis) to support product innovation and pipeline development.
• Lead product development across a variety of packaging formats and delivery systems.
• Conduct in-depth research on ingredient functionality, hair fiber science, and emerging technologies to improve product performance, consumer benefits, and sensory attributes.
• Design, execute, and analyze experiments to assess product stability, compatibility, and overall performance.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Product Development, Regulatory, Quality, and Manufacturing, to translate consumer insights into effective, science-based product solutions.
• Prepare and maintain technical documentation, including formulation procedures, raw material specifications, stability protocols, and manufacturing batch records.
• Ensure all formulations comply with applicable regulatory, safety, and quality standards.
• Provide technical expertise in resolving formulation challenges and support the scale-up of products from laboratory development through pilot and commercial production.
• Contribute to the advancement of organizational expertise in hair science, formulation technologies, and best practices.
• Stay informed of industry trends, emerging technologies, competitive products, and new raw materials to identify opportunities for continuous innovation.

• Minimum of 4 years of hands‑on formulation experience within hair care research and development.
• Working knowledge of shampoo and conditioner formulations.
• Strong understanding of colloid and surface chemistry, emulsion technology, rheology, polymer science, and their applications in hair care formulations.
• Demonstrated success in developing, commercializing, and launching hair care products in the marketplace.
• Experience conducting stability, compatibility, and performance testing, with knowledge of claims substantiation and consumer evaluation methodologies.
• Familiarity with formulation scale‑up processes and collaboration with contract manufacturing partners.
• Working knowledge of cosmetic regulations, raw material compliance requirements, and global industry standards.

• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, project management, and communication skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, collaborative, and innovation‑driven environment.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Cosmetic Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related scientific discipline is required.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, including an HSA medical plan with an employer contribution.
• Pretax flexible spending for medical, dependent care, transit, and parking.
• 401(K) with match.
• PTO.