Production Chemist

Swift Innovations; Ponoka; On-site; CAD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Swift Innovations in Ponoka, Alberta is seeking a Production Chemist to transfer cosmetic formulations from lab to commercial-scale manufacturing. You will scale up processes, review instructions, and ensure batches meet quality specs in a GMP-compliant environment.

The role requires strong formulation understanding, batch calculations, and the ability to troubleshoot production challenges in a fast-paced facility. In-person, full-time position with competitive pay and benefits.

Qualifications

• Degree or diploma in Chemistry, Chemical Technology, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cosmetic Science, or another related scientific discipline is preferred.
• Understanding of cosmetic or personal care formulation principles and manufacturing processes.
• Knowledge of laboratory-to-commercial scale-up processes.
• Awareness of Good Manufacturing Practices and controlled production environments.
• Experience in cosmetic, pharmaceutical, natural health product, food, or chemical manufacturing is preferred.
• Previous experience in a production chemist, compounding, formulation, process development, or similar manufacturing role is considered an asset.
• Ability to understand formulations, batch records, processing instructions, and technical specifications.
• Strong mathematical skills, including batch calculations, percentage calculations, and unit conversions.
• Ability to operate production and laboratory equipment safely and effectively.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to product quality.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple production requirements in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to lift and handle raw materials and production containers as required.
• Willingness to follow strict hygiene, safety, documentation, and GMP procedures.

Responsibilities

• Scale up laboratory formulations to pilot and commercial production batches.
• Review formulations, manufacturing instructions,raw material specifications, and processing parameters before production.
• Prepare and manufacture skincare, haircare, body care, and other personal care products including creams and serums.
• Determine mixing speeds, temperatures, sequences, and processing times during scale-up.
• Monitor production batches and ensure products meet specifications for appearance, pH, viscosity, texture.
• Identify scale-up and production abnormalities and assist in investigations and corrective actions.
• Troubleshoot formulation and manufacturing issues such as instability, dispersion, and batch inconsistency.
• Work with Formulation and Quality teams to improve processes and batch reproducibility.
• Complete batch records, production logs, equipment records, and other documentation accurately.
• Follow SOPs, work instructions, safety requirements, and cGMP practices.
• Verify raw material identity, lot numbers, quantities, and availability.

Skills

Formulation chemistry

Batch scale-up

GMP knowledge

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Math for batch calculations

Education

Chemistry-related degree

Cosmetic Science preferred

Job description

About the Company:

Swift Innovations is an Alberta-based research and contract manufacturing company specializing in innovative, natural, and organic skincare, haircare, and personal care products. The company combines scientific research, advanced formulation technologies, and responsible manufacturing practices to develop safe, effective, and high-quality products for brands across Canada and international markets.

Overview:

The Production Chemist will be responsible for transferring cosmetic and personal care formulations from laboratory development to commercial-scale manufacturing. The successful candidate must have a sound understanding of formulation chemistry, manufacturing processes, batch scale-up, and Good Manufacturing Practices. This role will work closely with the formulation, quality, and production teams to ensure that commercial batches are manufactured accurately, efficiently, and consistently in accordance with approved formulations, specifications, batch records, and Standard Operating Procedures. The ideal candidate will have strong technical and organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to troubleshoot production challenges in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

What can you expect to do:

• Scale up laboratory formulations to pilot and commercial production batches.
• Review formulations, manufacturing instructions, raw material specifications, and processing parameters before production.
• Prepare and manufacture skincare, haircare, body care, and other personal care products, including creams, lotions, serums, gels, cleansers, shampoos, conditioners, oils, and powder-based products.
• Determine appropriate mixing speeds, temperatures, addition sequences, homogenization requirements, and processing times during scale-up.
• Monitor production batches and ensure that products meet established specifications for appearance, colour, odour, pH, viscosity, texture, and other quality parameters.
• Identify scale-up and production abnormalities and assist in investigating root causes and implementing corrective actions.
• Troubleshoot formulation and manufacturing issues, including instability, aeration, incomplete dispersion, viscosity variation, separation, foaming, and batch inconsistency.
• Work closely with the Formulation and Quality teams to improve manufacturing processes and batch reproducibility.
• Complete batch manufacturing records, production logs, equipment records, and other required documentation accurately and in a timely manner.
• Follow approved Standard Operating Procedures, work instructions, safety requirements, and cGMP practices.
• Verify raw material identity, lot numbers, quantities, and availability before beginning production.
• Ensure proper weighing, dispensing, staging, handling, and addition of raw materials.
• Operate production equipment such as mixers, homogenizers, heating and cooling vessels, transfer pumps, filling equipment, and other processing systems.
• Monitor equipment performance and report any maintenance or operational concerns.
• Support process validation, pilot production trials, and continuous improvement activities.
• Assist in developing and improving manufacturing procedures and scale-up protocols.
• Coordinate production activities to meet planned timelines and customer delivery requirements.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of production, compounding, storage, and working areas.
• Ensure proper handling, storage, and disposal of raw materials, finished products, and production waste.
• Follow workplace health and safety requirements and maintain appropriate personal protective equipment practices.
• Assist with inventory monitoring for raw materials, packaging components, and production supplies.
• Support training of production staff on batch procedures, equipment operation, and GMP requirements.
• Perform other related duties as assigned and as operationally required.

What we are looking for:

• Degree or diploma in Chemistry, Chemical Technology, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cosmetic Science, or another related scientific discipline is preferred.
• Understanding of cosmetic or personal care formulation principles and manufacturing processes.
• Knowledge of laboratory-to-commercial scale-up processes.
• Awareness of Good Manufacturing Practices and controlled production environments.
• Experience in cosmetic, pharmaceutical, natural health product, food, or chemical manufacturing is preferred.
• Previous experience in a production chemist, compounding, formulation, process development, or similar manufacturing role is considered an asset.
• Ability to understand formulations, batch records, processing instructions, and technical specifications.
• Strong mathematical skills, including batch calculations, percentage calculations, and unit conversions.
• Ability to operate production and laboratory equipment safely and effectively.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to product quality.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple production requirements in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to lift and handle raw materials and production containers as required.
• Willingness to follow strict hygiene, safety, documentation, and GMP procedures.

Job Type:

Full-time

Pay:

$45,000.00-$60,000.00 per year

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Degree or diploma in a science-related discipline is preferred.

Experience:

• Experience in cosmetic, personal care, pharmaceutical, natural health product, food, or chemical manufacturing is preferred.
• Experience in formulation scale-up, compounding, or commercial batch manufacturing is considered a strong asset.

Work Location:

In person

Ability to Commute or Relocate

Ponoka, Alberta: reliably commute or relocate before starting work.

Swift Innovations is committed to creating an inclusive workplace.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.