R&D & Technical Manager – Cosmetics & Personal Care

G&M Cosmetics Pty. Limited; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

G&M Cosmetics Pty. Limited in Melbourne is seeking an experienced R&D & Technical Manager to lead cosmetic formulation development from concept to commercial production.

You will supervise compounders, coordinate with Production, Quality, Regulatory, Purchasing and Sales to ensure compliant, high-quality products meeting market needs.

Qualifications

• Qualification in chemistry, cosmetic science, chemical engineering or related field.
• Hands-on experience developing cosmetic, skincare or personal care formulations.
• Track record taking products from lab to scale-up and commercial manufacture.
• Knowledge of cosmetic ingredients, emulsions, stability testing and manufacturing processes.
• Understanding of cosmetic laws and compliance for Australian markets.
• Ability to investigate and resolve formulation and production problems with practical guidance.
• Leadership experience supervising or training technical or manufacturing staff.
• Strong communication and coordination across departments to drive actions.

Responsibilities

• Research, formulate and develop new cosmetic, skincare and personal care products.
• Evaluate raw materials and technologies; plan stability and packaging tests.
• Lead transfer of lab formulations to pilot and commercial production.
• Provide clear manufacturing instructions and change-control actions.
• Ensure ingredients and labels meet regulatory requirements for markets.
• Supervise compounders and provide technical support to resolve production issues.
• Coordinate priorities across Production, Quality, Regulatory, Purchasing and Sales.

Skills

Cosmetic formulation

Leadership

Regulatory compliance

Quality control

Scale-up

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Cosmetic science degree

Chemical engineering degree

Tools

GMP procedures

ISO 22716 knowledge

Laboratory equipment

Job description

R&D & Technical Manager – Cosmetics & Personal Care

Lead cosmetic formulation development from concept to commercial production, resolve manufacturing challenges and coordinate teams to deliver quality, compliant products.

Key selling points

• Develop skincare and personal care products from concept through to manufacture.
• Apply your formulation expertise to solve practical production challenges.
• Lead the compounding team and work across departments to deliver successful products.

About us

G&M Cosmetics is an established Australian manufacturer of skincare and personal care products, supplying domestic and international markets for over 25 years.

We are seeking an experienced cosmetics R&D professional with strong formulation expertise, knowledge of cosmetic regulations and practical manufacturing experience to join our Melbourne facility as R&D & Technical Manager.

About the role

This is a hands‑on role with a primary focus on cosmetic research, formulation and product development. You will develop new products, improve existing formulations and guide products through testing, scale‑up and commercial manufacture.

You will also supervise the daily work of our compounders and provide practical technical support to resolve production issues. Working closely with Production, Quality, Regulatory, Purchasing and Sales, you will coordinate activities, resolve technical challenges and ensure products meet agreed quality, regulatory and customer requirements.

Key responsibilities

Research, formulation and product development

• Develop new cosmetic, skincare and personal care formulations in response to product briefs, customer requirements and market needs.
• Research and evaluate raw materials, ingredients and formulation technologies.
• Prepare laboratory batches and assess product performance, appearance, texture, stability and suitability for manufacture.
• Plan and coordinate stability, packaging compatibility and other required testing.
• Improve existing formulations to enhance performance, consistency, manufacturability and cost‑effectiveness.
• Maintain accurate formulation records, specifications, test results and technical documentation.

Production scale‑up and troubleshooting

• Lead the transfer of laboratory formulations to pilot batches and commercial production.
• Prepare clear manufacturing instructions covering ingredient addition sequences, mixing conditions, temperatures and processing times.
• Investigate and resolve formulation and processing problems arising during trials, scale‑up and routine manufacture.
• Work with Production and QA/QC to identify the causes of batch variations, stability failures and out‑of‑specification results.
• Implement approved corrective actions and formulation or process improvements through appropriate change‑control procedures.

Cosmetic regulatory compliance and quality

• Apply knowledge of applicable cosmetic laws, regulations and standards throughout product development and manufacture.
• Work with relevant colleagues to ensure ingredients, formulations, product specifications, labelling and claims meet applicable requirements for intended markets.
• Prepare and maintain technical information supporting product safety, regulatory documentation and customer requirements.
• Support GMP compliance, audit preparation and continuous improvement activities.

Team leadership and coordination

• Supervise and guide compounders in their daily work, including weighing, mixing, heating, cooling and bulk handling.
• Ensure approved formulations, manufacturing instructions and batch documentation are followed accurately and consistently.
• Train and develop team members in manufacturing procedures, equipment use, hygiene and safe chemical handling.
• Coordinate priorities and technical activities across departments to keep product development and production on track.
• Communicate requirements clearly, follow through on agreed actions and ensure work is completed correctly.
• Provide technical support to Sales and customer‑facing teams on product enquiries and development requirements.

About you

You will bring:

• A qualification in chemistry, cosmetic science, chemical engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant industry experience.
• Demonstrated hands‑on experience developing cosmetic, skincare or personal care formulations.
• A track record of taking products from laboratory development through testing, scale‑up and commercial manufacture.
• Sound knowledge of cosmetic ingredients, emulsions, stability testing and manufacturing processes.
• Working knowledge of cosmetic laws, regulations and compliance requirements, particularly those relevant to the Australian market.
• The ability to investigate and resolve formulation and production problems and provide clear, practical guidance on the factory floor.
• Leadership skills, including experience supervising, training or guiding technical or manufacturing staff.
• Strong communication and coordination skills, with the ability to work effectively across departments and drive actions through to completion.
• Working knowledge of GMP, preferably within an ISO 22716 manufacturing environment.
• Strong attention to detail and accurate technical documentation skills.
• Experience developing creams, lotions, balms and other topical personal care products will be highly regarded.
• Take an active role in developing products for Australian and international markets.
• Combine hands‑on R&D with manufacturing support and team leadership.
• Work closely with colleagues across product development, production, quality and sales.
• Help shape effective product development and manufacturing practices at our Melbourne facility.