Formulation Chemist

This company is a people-first beauty company on a mission to give everyone a voice through skincare. We create physical, digital, and offline experiences inspired by our community that foster connection, inspire a sense of belonging, and invite people to participate.  We are inclusive, customer-devoted, curious, courageous, discerning, and results-driven.  

This is a high-end skincare and lifestyle brand that caters to consumers’ need for non-toxic and luxury-based products. The brand has a loyal customer base and is planning for rapid global expansion over the next three to five years, through a robust omnichannel go-to-market strategy, both locally & abroad. 

The Skincare Formulation Chemist is responsible for creating, optimising, and scaling skincare formulations from concept to commercialisation. This includes working with active ingredients, performing research, and ensuring that formulations are effective, safe, and compliant with regulatory standards. Additionally, the chemist oversees process development and scale-up, ensuring

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Product Formulation and Development:

• Develop new skincare formulations such as creams, serums, cleansers, and masks based on trends and customer demands.
• Work with active ingredients such as retinoids, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, peptides, and botanical extracts, ensuring product stability, efficacy, and sensory appeal.
• Iterate formulations based on lab test results, market feedback, and internal performance assessments.

Ingredient Research and Selection:

• Conduct research on new skincare ingredients and trends to create innovative products.
• Evaluate raw materials for efficacy, safety, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with suppliers for the sourcing of new ingredients and packaging materials.

Testing and Stability Studies:

• Perform stability testing under various environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, light) to ensure product shelf-life.
• Conduct compatibility tests with packaging materials to prevent adverse reactions.
• Evaluate product performance through internal testing and external consumer trials.

Regulatory and Compliance:

• Ensure all formulations comply with local and international regulations (FDA, EU Cosmetics Regulation, ISO standards, etc.).
• Work closely with regulatory teams to substantiate product claims and ensure labelling accuracy.
• Stay updated on regulatory changes in the skincare and cosmetics industry.

Process Development and Scale-Up:

• Collaborate with production teams to translate lab-scale formulations into large-scale manufacturing processes.
• Develop and optimise processes for scaling formulations from the lab to production, ensuring consistency and quality.
• Work with manufacturing teams to troubleshoot any scale-up challenges such as batch inconsistency, viscosity issues, or ingredient stability.
• Ensure all processes are scalable, cost-effective, and compliant with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
• Support pilot batches and initial production runs, adjusting formulations as needed for large-scale production.

Collaboration and Documentation:

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including marketing, packaging, quality assurance, and production to ensure smooth product launches.
• Provide technical support for production teams during the scale-up phase and after commercialization.
• Maintain accurate documentation of all formulation trials, test results, and production scale-up processes for regulatory compliance and future reference.

Innovation and Trends:

• Stay current with skincare trends, scientific advancements, and consumer preferences.
• Propose new product concepts and ingredients aligned with market trends, such as clean beauty, sustainable formulations, or natural products.
• Lead innovation projects focused on new ingredients, formulation techniques, or packaging solutions.

Cost Management:

• Balance product performance with cost-effectiveness, optimising formulations to meet pricing targets.
• Collaborate with procurement to source high-quality raw materials while managing cost efficiency.

Problem Solving and Troubleshooting:

• Identify and solve formulation challenges such as ingredient interactions, texture optimization, or product stability issues.
• Work closely with production teams to address manufacturing-related problems, such as blending, heating, or cooling process adjustments.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: 

 

• Educational Background: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemistry, Cosmetic Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum 3 years in skincare or cosmetic formulation, with experience in process development and scale-up.
• Technical Knowledge: Expertise in cosmetic ingredients, formulation chemistry, process development, and regulatory standards.
• Laboratory Skills: Proficiency in lab testing, stability studies, and scaling from bench formulations to commercial production.
• Analytical Skills: Ability to analyse formulation data and optimize for performance and scalability.
• Attention to Detail: Strong focus on product consistency, safety, and compliance with manufacturing standards.
• Communication Skills: Excellent communication for coordinating with cross-functional teams and external partners.

Desirable Qualities:

• Creativity and passion for innovation in skincare formulations.
• Knowledge of sustainable, non-toxic, or “clean beauty” product trends.
• Experience with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and familiarity with pilot and production-scale processes.

BENEFITS

 

1. A pivotal role in driving the growth and shaping the future of one of South Africa’s most dynamic small enterprises.
2. Opportunities for career development in Research & Development, with the chance to gain diverse, cross-functional experience.
3. A unique chance to leave your mark by contributing to the design and implementation of key processes and systems.
4. Work in a creative, innovation-driven environment where small SME culture fosters entrepreneurial thinking and leadership.