Sr. Scientist

About the role

The role supports end-to-end product development for nail products, translating consumer and professional insights into strong technical solutions and commercially successful innovations. It is a hands-on laboratory role, including batch formulation and performance testing.

Responsibilities

• Drive formulation development and optimization for nail products
• Perform hands-on lab work including batch making, formulation screening, and product evaluation
• Deliver reliable, accurate, and reproducible data
• Accurately perform formula entry in SAP R&D systems, ensuring complete, current, and traceable formula data
• Validate formulation performance through structured testing plans and scorecards
• Ensure on-time technical readiness and quality delivery of projects in alignment with Stage-Gate process
• Prepare technical documentation, including technical briefs, test plans, stability reports, and claim substantiation
• Maintain accurate and organized laboratory records following Good Laboratory Practices (GLP)
• Conduct competitive landscape assessments and stay current with emerging technologies
• Identify opportunities for performance improvement and new product concepts
• Screen and evaluate new raw materials and formulation approaches to enable innovation
• Compile testing data to support product claims in claim substantiation documents
• Develop effective product demos and storytelling for internal and external stakeholders
• Partner with Marketing, Education, Sensory, and Insights teams to support product launches
• Support strong working relationships with suppliers and TPMs

Qualifications

• BS in chemistry, materials science, polymer science or related science, MS is a plus
• Previous formula & product development experience, in the beauty industry preferred
• Passionate about nail category and able to generate product insights from online product reviews and focus group discussions
• Strong communication and presentation skills to speak and demo product superiority to commercial teams
• Process orientated working style
• Hands on individual, GLP and organizational skills
• Team player and exhibit "can do" attitude, responding effectively to multiple demands
• Able to work in a fast-paced environment

Desirable Experience

• Experience in nail or color cosmetic formulas
• Co-development experience with third party manufacturer or external research labs

Pay

Pay Range: $80,000 - $100,000 salary per year. The range listed is just one component of Wella Company's total rewards package for employees. Other rewards may include annual bonus plan or variable pay, depending on the role. In addition, Wella Company provides a rich variety of benefits to employees, including health insurance, life and disability insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, paid holidays and paid time off (PTO).