Job Description (JD)

Hiring: R&D Head / Head – Research & Development

Company: abc India | Italian MNC
Department: Research & Development (R&D)
Job Location: Gurugram, Haryana
Open Positions: 1
Designation: Assistant Manager / Deputy Manager / Manager – R&D
Experience: 5–15 Years
Salary Budget: ₹8–25 LPA, depending on experience and expertise
Industry: Color Cosmetics, Skincare, Personal Care & Beauty Products

About the Role

ABC India, an Italian multinational organization, is looking for a dynamic, technically strong, and innovation-driven R&D Head / Formulation Specialist to lead research and development activities in the color cosmetics, skincare, and personal care product categories.

The ideal candidate will have hands-on expertise in cosmetic formulation, product development, laboratory operations, and commercialization of innovative beauty and personal care products. The candidate should possess a strong understanding of cosmetic ingredients, formulation technologies, product performance, stability testing, quality requirements, and emerging market trends.

This role requires a proactive professional who can independently develop innovative formulations, lead new product development projects, collaborate with sales and marketing teams, and translate customer requirements into commercially viable products.

Candidates with experience in developing products for leading beauty and cosmetics brands, contract manufacturing, private-label cosmetics, or OEM/ODM environments will be highly preferred.

Key Responsibilities

1. Research & Development and Formulation

• Lead research and development activities for color cosmetics, skincare, and personal care products.
• Develop, formulate, and optimize innovative cosmetic products based on customer requirements and market trends.
• Work hands-on with cosmetic formulations, raw materials, active ingredients, emulsifiers, pigments, preservatives, and other functional ingredients.
• Develop and improve product formulations to achieve the desired texture, color, stability, efficacy, appearance, and performance.
• Conduct laboratory trials, formulation experiments, product evaluations, and performance assessments.
• Identify new ingredients, technologies, and formulation techniques to improve product quality and differentiation.

2. Color Cosmetics & Skincare Product Development

• Drive formulation development across relevant product categories, such as:
  • Foundations, concealers, compact powders, and face makeup.
  • Lipsticks, lip glosses, and other lip-color products.
  • Primers, blushes, highlighters, and other color cosmetics.
  • Moisturizers, face creams, serums, and lotions.
  • Cleansers, sunscreens, and other skincare products, where relevant.
  • Personal care and beauty products based on business requirements.
• Develop product samples and prototypes in accordance with customer briefs and product specifications.
• Ensure formulations meet performance expectations, sensory requirements, and applicable quality standards.
• Adapt formulations to customer-specific requirements, market positioning, and cost targets.

3. New Product Development (NPD) & Commercialization

• Manage the complete product development cycle, from concept development and laboratory formulation to sampling, validation, and commercialization.
• Work closely with Sales, Marketing, Quality Assurance, Procurement, and Manufacturing teams to execute NPD projects.
• Understand customer briefs and convert them into technically feasible and commercially viable formulations.
• Support customer presentations, product demonstrations, sample preparation, and technical discussions.
• Coordinate pilot batches, scale-up trials, process optimization, and production transfer.
• Ensure timely completion of product development projects in line with customer expectations and business priorities.

4. Formulation Stability, Testing & Quality

• Develop and execute formulation stability testing protocols, including accelerated and real-time stability studies, as appropriate.
• Evaluate product compatibility, physical stability, viscosity, pH, color consistency, texture, and other relevant product parameters.
• Coordinate microbiological testing, preservative efficacy testing, and product safety assessments, where applicable.
• Investigate formulation failures, product deviations, and stability-related issues, implementing corrective actions.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records, formulation specifications, test reports, and product development documentation.
• Ensure formulations and development processes comply with applicable cosmetic regulations and internal quality requirements.

5. Raw Material Selection & Cost Optimization

• Identify and evaluate suitable raw materials, cosmetic ingredients, and alternative suppliers.
• Collaborate with Procurement to assess ingredient availability, quality, cost, and technical suitability.
• Optimize formulations to achieve target costs without compromising product performance or quality.
• Evaluate new ingredients and technologies for innovation, product differentiation, and improved functionality.
• Support the development of cost-effective formulations for customer-specific manufacturing requirements.

6. Team Leadership & Laboratory Management

• Lead and coordinate R&D activities, laboratory trials, and product development priorities.
• Guide formulation scientists, chemists, and laboratory personnel, as applicable to the role.
• Establish efficient development processes, testing protocols, and documentation practices.
• Ensure proper utilization of laboratory equipment, raw materials, and development resources.
• Promote a culture of innovation, technical excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.

7. Customer & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Sales and Business Development teams to understand customer requirements and support new business acquisition.
• Participate in technical discussions with customers regarding formulations, ingredients, product performance, and development feasibility.
• Provide technical inputs during customer meetings, product sampling, and formulation approvals.
• Support customized product development for established beauty, cosmetics, and personal care brands.
• Build strong working relationships with internal teams to ensure smooth transition from product development to commercial production.

Desired Candidate Profile

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemistry, Cosmetic Science, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Technology, or a related discipline.
• 5–15 years of relevant experience in R&D, formulation development, or new product development within the cosmetics, color cosmetics, skincare, or personal care industry.
• Strong hands-on expertise in cosmetic formulation and product development.
• Experience developing and commercializing color cosmetics, skincare products, or personal care formulations.
• Good understanding of cosmetic ingredients, formulation chemistry, stability testing, product performance, and quality requirements.
• Experience in product scale-up, pilot trials, manufacturing transfer, and troubleshooting formulation-related issues.
• Knowledge of applicable cosmetic regulations, product safety, and quality standards.
• Experience working with contract manufacturers, private-label manufacturers, or OEM/ODM businesses will be an advantage.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, project management, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple projects, and deliver results within defined timelines.

Key Skills Required

• Cosmetic Formulation & Product Development
• Color Cosmetics R&D
• Skincare & Personal Care Formulations
• New Product Development (NPD)
• Ingredient Evaluation & Raw Material Selection
• Stability Testing & Product Validation
• Formulation Troubleshooting
• Scale-Up & Commercialization
• Regulatory Compliance & Technical Documentation
• Cost Optimization
• Cross-Functional Coordination
• Team Leadership & Innovation

Compensation & Other Details

Who Should Apply?

We are looking for a dynamic, technically strong, hands-on formulator who understands both the science of cosmetic formulations and the commercial requirements of the beauty industry.

The ideal candidate should be capable of developing innovative products, solving formulation challenges, coordinating with manufacturing teams, and delivering products that meet customer expectations for quality, performance, stability, and cost.

Professionals currently working as R&D Managers, Formulation Managers, Technical Managers, Senior Formulation Scientists, or R&D leaders in color cosmetics, skincare, and personal care manufacturing organizations are encouraged to apply.

Preference will be given to candidates with strong hands-on formulation expertise and proven experience in taking cosmetic products from laboratory development through successful commercialization.