R&D NPD Product Developer

Connect Nigeria; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Pension

Life assurance

Share incentive plan

Private medical cover

Flexible holidays (buy/ accrue 1pm Fri

Hybrid/electric car scheme

Cycle to work

Mortgage advice

Discounted products

Onsite gym

Job summary

PZ Cussons is seeking a Product Developer in Manchester to drive formulation and product development for beauty and personal care lines. You will blend science, creativity and teamwork to deliver innovations and renovations across brands, influencing quality, speed to market and consumer satisfaction.

You will work with R&D, Marketing, Packaging, Consumer Insights and Supply Chain to turn insights into products that thrive on shelves and in homes.

Qualifications

• Degree in chemistry, chemical engineering or cosmetic science.
• Experience developing products in personal care or cosmetics.
• Solid understanding of formulation science and raw materials.
• Knowledge of testing, regulatory requirements and manufacturing processes.
• Strong problem-solving and collaboration across teams.
• Curiosity and willingness to explore new ingredients and tech.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimise personal care formulations meeting quality, safety and commercial goals.
• Turn consumer insights into effective product solutions ready for launch.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to keep projects on time and budget.
• Support scale-up and manufacturing transitions from lab to production.
• Build partnerships with suppliers to explore new ingredients and tech.
• Conduct testing and document technical data to meet regulatory and quality standards.

Skills

Formulation science

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Curiosity

Education

Chemistry degree

Chemical Engineering degree

Cosmetic Science degree

Job description

POSITION SNAPSHOT

• Role: Product Developer - Research and Development
• Location: Agecroft, Manchester
• Contract: Permanent

WHY US AND WHY THIS ROLE

Seize the opportunity to be part of a unique business with an exciting vision for the future - where we dare to be bold, discover what’s possible, and do incredible. Dare. Discover. Do. At PZ Cussons, we offer five big reasons that people join and stay: Futureproof Our Brands, Create Your Own Impact, Accelerate Your Craft, Flexibility to Perform, And Collaborate with Intent.

As a Product Developer, you'll help bring consumer-loved beauty and personal care products to life, from early ideas through to launch. Working across our portfolio, you'll combine science, creativity and collaboration to develop products that delight consumers while supporting ambitious brand growth. This is an opportunity to balance innovation and renovation, shaping both exciting new launches and improvements to existing favourites. You'll work closely with colleagues across R&D, Marketing, Packaging, Consumer Insights and Supply Chain, influencing decisions that directly impact product performance, quality and speed to market. This is a role where your work can be seen on shelves and in consumers' homes. You'll play a key part in turning insight into products people love, while developing your technical expertise within a business that encourages curiosity, learning and innovation.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

• Develop and optimise personal care and beauty formulations that deliver outstanding consumer experiences while meeting quality, safety and commercial goals.
• Turn consumer insights and brand ambitions into effective product solutions that are ready for successful launch.
• Work with cross-functional teams to keep projects moving forward, ensuring milestones are achieved on time and within budget.
• Support scale-up and manufacturing activities, helping products transition smoothly from the laboratory into production.
• Build strong partnerships with suppliers and innovation partners to explore new ingredients, technologies and formulation opportunities.
• Drive robust testing and technical documentation to ensure products meet regulatory, performance and quality requirements.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

• A degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Cosmetic Science or a related scientific discipline.
• Experience developing products within personal care, beauty or related consumer goods categories.
• A solid understanding of formulation science, raw materials and laboratory-based product development.
• Knowledge of product testing, regulatory requirements and manufacturing processes.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to balance multiple priorities and project timelines.
• A collaborative approach, with confidence working across different teams and disciplines.
• Curiosity, initiative and a passion for exploring new technologies, ingredients and trends.

WHAT YOU’LL GET IN RETURN

• Competitive annual bonus, pension, life assurance and Share Incentive Plan
• Private medical cover plus health & wellbeing support
• Flexible holiday options, including buy and accrual 1pm Friday finish for better work-life balance
• Hybrid/electric car scheme, cycle to work & free mortgage advice
• Discounted and complimentary PZ products
• Onsite gym (where available)

OUR PURPOSE, CULTURE AND VALUES

At PZ Cussons, our purpose is For Everyone, For Life, For Good. Guided by our BEST values, Bold, Energetic, Striving and Together, we nurture a culture where people feel empowered to grow, perform and make a meaningful difference every day. We retain the pioneering spirit of our founders by building portfolios of locally-loved brands across our key markets in the UK, ANZ, Nigeria and Indonesia, backed by the manufacturing scale and capability of a global business. Spanning Personal, Home, and Baby Care, our products are trusted by millions of consumers worldwide, including Carex, Childs Farm, Cussons Baby, Imperial Leather, Morning Fresh, Original Source, Premier, Sanctuary Spa and St. Tropez.

INCLUSION AND FAIRNESS

We're committed to building diverse teams that reflect our consumers and communities, creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels respected and able to thrive. If you need any adjustments during the process, just let us know.