Principal Scientist - Oral Health - NPD (FTC 18 months)

Haleon; Weybridge; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A global consumer health company in Weybridge is seeking an experienced professional to lead innovation projects in formulation development. This role demands robust technical leadership, a strong background in consumer products, and over 10 years of relevant industry experience. Candidates should possess a Bachelor's degree in a scientific field, with Master's or PhD preferred. This position is a key opportunity to influence product innovation across multiple therapeutic areas.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Strong experience in product development project delivery.
• Technical knowledge in consumer products.

Responsibilities

• Lead and innovate key global projects.
• Make independent decisions on technical issues.
• Collaborate and build relationships across disciplines.

Skills

Technical expertise in formulation or analytical science

Leadership in complex projects

Excellent understanding of Drug and Food GMPs

Creative approach to R&D projects

Education

Bachelor Science degree

Masters or PhD in a relevant field

Job description

Welcome to Haleon. We’re a purpose-driven, world-class consumer company putting everyday health in the hands of millions. In just three years since our launch, we’ve grown, evolved and are now entering an exciting new chapter – one filled with bold ambitions and enormous opportunity.

Our trusted portfolio of brands – including Sensodyne®, Panadol®, Advil®, Voltaren®, Theraflu®, Otrivin®, and Centrum® – lead in resilient and growing categories. What sets us apart is our unique blend of deep human understanding and trusted science.

Now it’s time to fully realise the full potential of our business and our people. We do this through our Win as One strategy. It puts our purpose – to deliver better everyday health with humanity – at the heart of everything we do. It unites us, inspires us, and challenges us to be better every day, driven by our agile, performance-focused culture.

This is an 18 month opportunity

Job Purpose

Delivering key innovation projects from ideation to launch globally, develop robust formulations and finished products that delight consumers and address unmet needs, acting as subject matter experts.

1. Technical expertise in formulation and/or analytical science, providing leadership for multiple complex projects in the direction and development of that specialist area regarded as critical to future business growth. Operate at the interface of functional disciplines, both inside and outside of NPD, and coordinate the activities of specialists to design work programmes and participate in their execution to provide support to the development of new and existing projects.

2. Lead complex global projects or have overall leadership responsibility for multiple projects (2-5) within a single area or across multiple therapeutic areas. They will lead these projects across all R&D functions. They will manage overall work priorities and ensure team activities are in accordance with company standards and regulations, taking into account scientific, budgetary and timing objectives.

3. Provide technical leadership in the development and execution of technical strategy across multiple therapeutic categories and acts as a technical expert in supporting all NPD and Innovation in their areas of expertise. Can help facilitate resolution of complex technical problems.

Key Responsibilities

• Makes wide ranging, independent decisions on projects and technical issues Acts as a liaison to evaluate external technology and develop new technical expertise internally
• Stays current with technologies and industry practices and applies relevant information to Haleon Consumer Healthcare Explores & identifies, evaluates and delivers new technology, materials or ingredients Communicates collaboratively and influences staff at all organisational levels with both internally and externally with specific organizations.
• Presents findings at conferences, publishes papers, authors patents Facilitates and manages internal and external relationships within Consumer Healthcare and with external groups toward fostering an environment of knowledge sharing.
• Works across different scientific disciplines and integrates knowledge from a variety of sources; resolves conflicting data and opinions between functions.
• Operates on specific assignments which may be of short duration (e.g. due diligence of development partners), or long term (e.g. lead outsourcing initiative to low cost country) in a manner that reflects the challenges in a professional and confidential manner.
• Provides technical input and direction from a product development perspective to the Therapeutic Category Team and related functions as the expert for that category.
• Thinks strategically and provides recommendations and decisions which have a major impact on project plans

Educational Background

• Bachelor Science degree
• Chemistry, pharmacy, or related science discipline
• Strong technical knowledge and experience in consumer products, with excellent understanding of Drug and Food GMPs as relevant to Consumer Healthcare as well as familiar global regularity requirements

Preferred Level of Education

• Masters, or PhD or relevant practical work experience
• Area of Specialisation preferred
• Science qualifications with a basis of Chemistry. Specialisation in a relevant area from this role such as formulation development or drug product development

Job-Related Experience

• Describe what experience this position will require the job holder to have obtained in past roles within or outside of the company that would demonstrate a level of proficiency in the stated role.
• > 10 years relevant Industry relevant experience
• Strong and in-depth experience in product development project delivery
• Excellent understanding of Drug and Food GMPs as relevant to Consumer Healthcare as well as familiar global regularity requirements
• Creative and imaginative approach to diverse R&D project

Job Posting End Date: 2025-11-28

Equal Opportunities

Haleon are committed to mobilising our purpose in a way that represents the diverse consumers and communities who rely on our brands every day. It guides us in creating an inclusive culture, where different backgrounds and views are valued and respected – all in support of understanding and best serving the needs of our consumers and unleashing the full potential of our people. It’s important to us that Haleon is a place where all our employees feel they truly belong.

During the application process, we may ask you to share some personal information, which is entirely voluntary. This information ensures we meet certain regulatory and reporting obligations and supports the development, refinement, and execution of our inclusion and belonging programmes that are open to all Haleon employees.

The personal information you provide will be kept confidential, used only for legitimate business purposes, and will never be used in making any employment decisions, including hiring decisions.

Adjustment or Accommodations Request

If you require a reasonable adjustment or accommodation or other assistance to apply for a job at Haleon at any stage of the application process, please let your recruiter know by providing them with a description of specific adjustments you are requesting. We’ll provide all reasonable adjustments to support you throughout the recruitment process and treat all information you provide us in confidence.

Note to candidates

The Haleon recruitment team will contact you using a Haleon email account (@haleon.com). If you are not sure whether the email you received is from Haleon, please get in touch.