Formulation Scientist- Skin Care

About the role

Blends routine and non-routine chemical agents to develop new products or improve existing products. Evaluates and tests products to determine conformance to product development goals or established quality control standards. Monitors production batches and new and existing products.

Responsibilities

• Participates in programs for product development related activities, including blending, mixing, homogenization, and short-term product stability evaluations.
• Develops manufacturing instructions and oversees pilot manufactured batches of laboratory formulas.
• Investigates new raw materials and sourcing of raw materials or replacements.
• Aids in the development of testing specifications for raw materials, process intermediates, and finished goods.
• Aids in programs to develop and validate new or improved processes by evaluating uniformity of resultant materials.
• Keeps laboratory records regarding research and analysis activities according to applicable government regulations, manufacturing processes, or other considerations.
• Interprets results of laboratory activities and provides reports of activities to management.
• Keeps abreast of industry trends.
• Participates in vendor qualifications through evaluation of packaging and ingredients.
• Studies effects of various methods of processing, preservation, and packaging on composition and properties of products such as color, texture, aroma, taste, and shelf life.
• Performs quality control tests in the Cosmetics Department and processing.
• Uses instruments in the Cosmetic Lab.
• Records test data, applying statistical quality control procedures.
• Evaluates data and writes reports to validate or indicate deviations from existing standards.
• Audits batch records and maintains recordkeeping in the Cosmetic Lab.
• Recommends modifications of existing quality or production standards to achieve optimum quality within limits of equipment capability.
• Analyzes new compounded products, intermediate and finished products following specifications and performs required analysis such as viscosity, pH, moisture, specific gravity, and others.
• Analyzes cosmetic bulk materials and provides adjustments of batches when necessary.
• Approves or rejects compounded products, intermediate and finished products based upon specifications.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline; and 2 or more years related experience and/or training in cosmetics formulation; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Thorough knowledge of common compounding techniques and ingredients.

Skills

• Language: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific literature, technical journals, and legal documents; write reports, business correspondence, and analytical methods procedures; and effectively present information to company management and staff.
• Mathematical: Ability to apply advanced mathematical concepts such as exponents, logarithms, quadratic equations, and statistical formulas and functions.
• Computer: Knowledge of spreadsheet software and word processing software.
• Reasoning: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; interpret technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form; and deal with abstract and concrete variables.

Physical demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include close vision and color vision, and the ability to use analytical instruments requiring accurate focus.

Work environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, toxic, caustic, or flammable chemicals, thermal heat sources, and risk of electric shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles (powders) and is occasionally exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals used to perform wet chemistry analysis. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.