Formula Chemist

Body Shop (The); Brighton; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A well-known beauty brand in Brighton is looking for a candidate skilled in cosmetic formulation and project management. The role involves leading formulation projects, improving existing products, and ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards. Applicants should have a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or a related field, along with 3-5 years of relevant experience. Join a company that values ethics and innovation in beauty.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in cosmetic formulation development in a fast-paced environment.
• Hands-on experience with external partners like vendors and laboratories.
• Strong background in formulation testing and production scale-up.

Responsibilities

• Lead formulation projects with external partners from brief to launch.
• Support reformulation and improvement of existing products.
• Manage timelines, risks, and documentation to secure launch readiness.
• Conduct technical data analysis for risk assessments.

Skills

Knowledge of cosmetic formulation

Project management

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving mindset

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry / Cosmetic science / Pharmacy

Tools

MS Project

Power BI

Job description

Overview

The Body Shop. When Anita Roddick founded The Body Shop in 1976, she had a vision. Business as a force for good that’s us. Over 48 years later, we’re proud to be pioneering cruelty-free beauty every step of the way. We’re the original ethical beauty brand. We’ve got a thing for empowering people and enriching our planet. We’re all about keeping it real, in every way possible. Our activist roots remain a huge part of everything we do, from our iconic window posters to our vegetarian products to our infamous campaigns. We’re never afraid to stand up and speak the truth. We like to do things a little differently around here.

The Body Shop is committed to generating positive economic, social and environmental impact. We’re fighting for what we believe in now more than ever. No holding back. Breaking the mould has always come naturally to us, and we need someone who’s not afraid to mix things up.

More About The Role

Note: Replaced with structured sections below.

Formula External Development & Maintenance

• Lead formulation projects with external partners from brief to launch, ensuring safety, performance, and brand alignment.
• Brief external partners (vendors, labs, manufacturers, academia) on formulation requirements and scope.
• Evaluate sample sensoriality, conformity and ensure timely feedback and iteration.
• Support external partners as required to successful industrialization and scale-up

Existing Product Development & Optimization

• Support reformulation and improvement of existing products to enhance performance, compliance, or consumer experience.
• Lead troubleshooting efforts for in-market products, identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions from Formula perspective.
• Support regulatory updates and raw material substitutions to maintain compliance and continuity.

Project Coordination & Productivity

• Ensure cohesive partnership with all parties in managing timelines, risks, and backup plans to secure launch readiness. Ensure timely execution and documentation of all required tests (stability, safety, challenge, etc.).
• Efficiently use available tools and systems to maintain accurate records and official documentation across development phases in a timely manner.

Technical Analysis & Support

• Conduct technical data analysis to support risk assessments and business decisions.
• Provide expert input on formulation-related issues and propose corrective actions.

Collaboration & Communication

• Build relationships with internal teams (Brand, Packaging, Safety, Procurement, etc.) and external partners.
• Ensure smooth flow of information and samples across all stakeholders.
• Represent R&D in cross-functional meetings and project reviews.
• Propose processes improvements where applicable

What We Look For

Technical Expertise

Deep knowledge of cosmetic formulation and product development processes; Strong understanding of safety, stability, and regulatory testing

Project & Process Management

Skilled in managing multiple projects with tight timelines and cross-functional coordination; Ability to assess risks, plan contingencies, and ensure launch readiness; Competent in using development tools like MS Project, Power BI.

Analytical & Problem Solving

Sharp analytical thinking for evaluating samples, test results, and technical data; Solution-oriented mindset for troubleshooting formulation and production issues

Communication & Collaboration

Excellent written and verbal communication for internal and external stakeholder engagement; Strong interpersonal skills to build partnerships with vendors, labs, and cross-functional teams

Innovation & Creativity

Passion for exploring new formats, technologies, and consumer-driven solutions;

Qualifications And Experience

• Bachelors degree level in Chemistry / Cosmetic science/ Pharmacy
• Knowledge of technical English
• 3-5 years of proven experience in cosmetic formulation development, ideally within a fast-paced, innovation-driven environment
• Demonstrated success in leading product development projects from concept to launch
• Hands-on experience collaborating with external partners such as vendors, laboratories, and contract manufacturers
• Strong background in managing formulation testing (stability, safety, challenge, contaminants) and production scale-up
• Familiarity with regulatory standards and documentation processes in the cosmetics industry

Talent Drivers

• Collaborative Skills
• Personal Conduct
• Purpose