Senior Manager, Scale-up and Technology

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Scale-Up Chemist / Chemical Engineer to join our R&D and Operations teams. In this pivotal role, you will bridge the gap between benchtop R&D formulation and full-scale commercial manufacturing. Responsible for translating laboratory formulations across a range of cosmetic and health care products into repeatable, robust, and cost effective production batch sizes. In total, you will be leading scale-up activities across 4 SV Labs manufacturing sites including two direct reports located at other sites.

Responsibilities

• Scale up formulations from laboratory bench scale (1–5 kg) to pilot scale (50–100 kg) and full commercial manufacturing scale (500–5,000+ kg).
• Establish process parameters including addition orders, mixing speeds, shear rates, heating/cooling rates, vacuum pressures, and holding times.
• Author and review clear, detailed Manufacturing Compounding Instructions tailored to specific plant processing equipment.
• Provide hands-on support during pilot and initial commercial production runs.
• Troubleshoot pilot/production issues, including phase separation, viscosity out-of-spec, aeration, emulsion instability, or filling issues.
• Support root cause analysis (RCA) and corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) for out-of specification (OOS) batches.
• Partner with R&D chemists to identify potential scale-up risks early in the development lifecycle.
• Follow all applicable work instructions, standard operating procedures, and documentation requirements.
• Provide complete, reliable, and prompt information to managers and other team members.
• Drive improvements and upgrades to methods and procedures.
• Assist in co-worker, supervisor and management projects as they arise.
• Overtime in evenings or weekends may occasionally be required.
• Any additional tasks as requested by site and company leadership.

Meeting Participation

• Daily and weekly team meetings
• Site Daily Direction Setting meetings as needed

Reporting & Supervisory Responsibility

This position reports to the VP Quality.

Leads the Scale-Up team for SV Labs including two managers located at other SV Lab sites.

Classification

Full-time non-exempt role.

Education

B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Cosmetic Science, or a related scientific discipline (M.S. degree a plus).

Experience

• 5+ years of direct experience in process development, scale-up, or tech transfer within personal care, cosmetics, OTC, or pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Hands on experience with pilot plant and laboratory equipment and procedures.
• Experience working in a GMP environment preferred.

Qualifications

• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to make quick, data-driven decisions.
• Excellent attention to detail, analytical skills, and ability to follow established procedures.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for cross-functional collaboration and customer technical communications.
• Ability to handle multiple projects concurrently.
• Can balance daily challenges with longer-term strategic projects.
• Bilingual (English and Spanish) a plus.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Ability to work in fast-paced, effectively under pressure, and deadline-oriented environment.
• Flexible availability required beyond daytime schedule, to support projects and customer needs.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and walk for the duration of the production shift.