Fragrance Lab Technician US Hub

Unilever is one of the world’s leading suppliers of Beauty, Personal, and Home Care products, selling in over 190 countries and used by 3.7 billion consumers daily. With brands like Dove, TRESemmé, Sunsilk, Vaseline, and Persil, Unilever is a global leader in fragrance innovation. The Unilever Fragrance House is transforming fragrance creation by leveraging expert in-house teams to craft superior fragrances for Personal Care, Beauty & Wellbeing, and Home Care.

About the Role

We are seeking a passionate, independent, detail-oriented Fragrance Lab Technician to join the Unilever Fragrance House team in Trumbull, CT. This role ensures end-to-end operational excellence in fragrance creation, including sample preparation, compounding, technical testing, and sensory study support. As the primary owner of lab operations, you will drive continuity, resilience, safety, and high-quality delivery across all fragrance development workflows.

Responsibilities

• Leadership & Operational Ownership
  • Own and optimize sampling workflows, escalating risks as needed.
  • Oversee the operational structure of the US Fragrance Lab and mentor junior team members.
  • Interpret formula-fragrance interactions and design studies with advanced raw material knowledge.
  • Define best practices for lab operations and act as the point-of-contact for audits.
• Fragrance Application & Sample Preparation
  • Prepare fragrance-applied samples across multiple product categories:
    • Personal Care: Body wash, bar soap, deodorant sticks & roll-ons, aerosols, whole body deodorants, mists, and innovative formats.
    • Beauty & Wellbeing: Shampoo, conditioner, stylers, lotions, creams, dry shampoo, mists, and innovation formats.
    • Home Care: Liquid laundry detergents, fabric softeners, surface cleaners, dishwashing liquids, and site-supported formats.
    • Other Formats: Candles and UFH Engagement Program formats.
  • Ensure fragrance-base compatibility and stability.
• Fragrance Compounding
  • Independently compound complex fragrance oils, calculating, weighing, and mixing raw materials per formula.
  • Familiarity with the odor and physical appearance of basic raw materials.
• Technical Scope
  • Prepare samples for sensory evaluations and olfactive panels.
  • Conduct QC for compounded oils and basic stability tests (e.g., pH, viscosity, color, appearance).
  • Plan and execute stability studies using Unilever protocols.
  • Maintain accurate records of sample preparation, test results, and observations.
  • Design and execute DoE studies, providing recommendations; experience with statistical tools (e.g., JMP, Minitab) preferred.
• Lab Operations & Maintenance
  • Maintain and calibrate lab equipment.
  • Keep lab documentation up-to-date and centrally accessible.
  • Manage inventory of unfragranced bases and consumables, minimizing waste.
  • Follow safety and quality protocols, ensuring lab readiness for inspections.
  • Propose improvements for facility standards, including space layout.
• Collaboration & Communication
  • Work cross-functionally with formulation teams, perfumers, evaluators, and Technical Project Leads.
  • Participate in project meetings and contribute to technical discussions.
  • Prepare and present study reports, including hypotheses and next steps.

Key Accountabilities

• Timely and accurate preparation of samples across all formats, ensuring proper identification.
• Support in compounding fragrance raw materials for perfumers.
• Maintain high standards in lab safety, cleanliness, and documentation.
• Manage fragrance QC, stability testing, and reporting.
• Support innovation and technical development initiatives.
• Uphold lab KPIs: OTIF, QC accuracy, stability study timeliness, and safety compliance.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Cosmetic Science, or a related field (preferred).
• Experience in fragrance application and lab operations.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Familiarity with lab equipment and basic analytical techniques.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Proactive attitude, anticipating obstacles and delays in projects.
• Lab operations and safety skills.

Skills

• Technical knowledge of raw materials, including odor and physical appearance.
• Understanding of fragrance behavior in different product bases.
• Working knowledge of fragrance application across bases and formulation principles.
• Experience in fragrance evaluation, compounding, and stability testing (preferred).
• Understanding of regulatory requirements (IFRA, SDS, Unilever standards).
• Willingness to learn and adapt in a fast-paced innovation environment.
• Strong communication and documentation skills.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $88,600 to $133,000, with consideration for skill sets, experience, and business needs. This role is eligible for a bonus and Long-Term Incentive (LTI).

Benefits

• Health insurance (medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage).
• Retirement savings benefits.
• Life insurance and disability benefits.
• Parental leave, sick leave, paid vacation, and holidays.
• Access to voluntary benefits.