Formulation Scientist

Arbex; Northfleet; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Market-leading pension contribution

Bonus scheme

Flexible Savings and spending accounts

Private Medical Insurance

Diversity of income protection options

Job summary

ARBEX is seeking a Formulation Scientist to lead development across consumer product categories in a hybrid UK role. You will collaborate with R&D, technical leaders and business units to translate insights into technology opportunities, establish a new formulation lab, and manage projects from design to launch.

Required is a chemistry/ cosmetic science background with 5–8+ years of relevant experience, strong documentation, and knowledge of regulatory frameworks.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, cosmetic science, or related field.
• 5–8+ years' experience in consumer product formulation development.
• Ability to independently execute formulation development workflows; design, test, interpret, document.
• Experience with stability testing and preservative systems.
• Structured documentation: INCI files, validation protocols, test reports.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimise formulations meeting safety, quality, regulatory, stability and performance requirements.
• Conduct formulation lab work: screening, stability and compatibility testing, preservative efficacy studies.
• Evaluate raw material substitutions to support supply continuity and cost initiatives.
• Support development, qualification and refinement of analytical test methods with Quality teams.
• Protect formulation IP via patents, trade secrets and confidential docs.
• Act as formulation technical lead on assigned projects across innovation and commercialization.
• Create and execute project plans for formulation development and lifecycle management.
• Lead and document deliverables: INCI files, validation records and change-control docs.
• Manage formulation changes driven by regulatory updates and allergen removal.

Skills

Formulation development

Stability testing

Documentation

Project leadership

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemistry / Chemical Engineering / Cosmetic Science

Tools

Analytical testing equipment

Laboratory calibration

Job description

About You

In one of our R&D roles, you’ll focus on winning with consumers and the market, while putting safety, mutual respect, and human dignity at the centre.

This role serves as the formulation science subject matter expert (SME), partnering with R&D product developers, technical leaders and business unit partners to translate technical, business and consumer insights into technology development opportunities. In this position you will drive innovation, business continuity, qualification and commercialisation across global and regional programs with significant business impact. You will thrive in a multi-national, cross-functional environment and bring strong formulation expertise, knowledge of compliance/conformance requirements for regulated products, and R&D project leadership (communication, stakeholder management, collaboration, delivery to timelines). The Formulation Scientist will play a key role in establishing a new formulation laboratory, including the selection, installation, and calibration of formulation development and testing equipment, as well as the development of operating principles and the creation of a laboratory management system.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Develop and optimise formulations for formulated product categories, meeting applicable safety, quality, regulatory, stability and performance requirements.

• Perform formulation lab work: screening, stability and compatibility testing, preservative efficacy and robustness studies.

• Evaluate/test/validate raw material equivalency, substitutions and alternate sourcing to support supply continuity and cost initiatives.

• Support development, qualification and refinement of analytical test methods with Quality teams and external laboratories.

• Protect formulation intellectual property via patents, trade secrets and confidential documentation.

• Act as formulation technical lead on assigned projects across innovation, qualification and commercialisation.

• Create and execute project plans for formulation development, improvement and lifecycle management.

• Lead and document formulation deliverables (INCI files, validation records, stability reports, technical justifications and change-control documentation).

• Proactively manage formulation changes driven by regulatory updates, quality deviations, allergen removal, sustainability requirements and chemicals-of-concern elimination.

• Support lab capability development (readiness activities, external lab coordination and specialist testing).

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Cosmetic Science, or related technical discipline.

• Solid applied experience (typically 5–8+ years) in formulation development for consumer products

• Proven ability to independently execute formulation development workflows, including design, testing, interpretation, and documentation.

• Experience with stability testing, compatibility evaluations, preservative systems, and formulation troubleshooting.

• Structured documentation capability (INCI preparation, formulation history, validation protocols, test reports).

• Ability to manage multiple technical workstreams simultaneously and adapt to evolving project priorities.

Preferred Qualifications (not essential, but desired):

• Experience in cosmetic, wet wipes, lotion tissue or skincare soaps & sanitizer formulation development.

• Exposure to method transfer, external lab qualification, and advanced analytical testing workflows.

• Experience supporting raw material crisis management, alternate sourcing, or chemical equivalency assessments.

• Understanding of regulatory frameworks, allergen management, and chemicals-of-concern policies.

• Knowledge of intellectual property approaches for formulated products (patents, trade secrets).

Total Benefits

Webelievethatouremployeesareourgreatestasset, andwe'recommittedtoprovidingthemwiththeresourcestheyneedtobesuccessful.Ifyou'relookingforarewardingcareerwithacompanythatcaresaboutitsemployees,thenARBEXistheplaceforyou.

• Market-leading pension contribution.

• Bonus scheme.

• Flexible Savings and spending accounts to maximise health care options and stretch pounds when caring for yourself or dependents.

• Private Medical Insurance, great support for good health with medical, dental, and vision coverage options.

• Diverse income protection insurance options to protect yourself and your family in case of illness, injury, or other unexpected events.

• Additional programs and support to continue your education, adopt a child, relocate, or even find temporary childcare.

Flex That WorksatARBEX

We believegreat workhappens when people come together with purpose.That’swhy we offer a flexible work model that blends remote work with intentional in-person collaboration — helping you connect, grow, and innovate whilemaintainingthe balance you value.

And finally, the fine print….

ForARBEXto grow and prosper, we must be an inclusive organization that applies the diverse experiences and passions of its team members to brands thatshape the future of tissue and hygiene, which is whyweseek to build a workforce that encompassesthe experiences of our consumers.When you bring your original thinking toARBEX, you fuel the continued success of our enterprise. We are a committed equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, pregnancy, genetic information, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this classification. Statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties,responsibilitiesand skillsrequiredfor this position.

Employment is subject to verification of local policies.

This role is available for local candidates already authorised to work in the role’s country only. ARBEX will not provide relocation support for this role.