R&D NPD Product Developer

The Abbey; Manchester; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Pension

Life assurance

Share Incentive Plan

Private medical cover

Flexible holidays

Hybrid/electric car scheme

Cycle to work

Discounted PZ products

Onsite gym

Job summary

PZ Cussons is seeking an ambitious R&D specialist to develop and optimise personal care formulations that deliver exceptional consumer experiences. You will turn brand ambitions into launch-ready products, working with cross-functional teams to keep projects moving and within budget.

You will guide scale-up and manufacturing activities, ensuring smooth transitions from lab to production while pursuing new ingredients and technologies with curiosity and initiative.

Qualifications

• Degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Cosmetic Science or related field.
• Experience creating products in personal care, beauty or consumer goods.
• Solid understanding of formulation science, materials and lab development.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimise personal care formulations meeting quality and commercial goals.
• Translate consumer insights into ready-for-launch product solutions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet milestones on time and within budget.
• Support scale-up and manufacturing, transitioning lab work to production.
• Build partnerships to explore new ingredients and technologies.
• Execute testing and document regulatory, performance and quality compliance.

Skills

Problem-solving

Collaborative

Prioritization

Education

Degree in Chemistry

Chemical Engineering

Cosmetic Science or related

Job description

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

MyBenefits brings together your total rewards in one place, giving you the flexibility to choose what matter most.

Key benefits we offer include:

• Competitive annual bonus, pension, life assurance and Share Incentive Plan
• Private medical cover plus health & wellbeing support
• Flexible holiday options, including buy and accrual1pm 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. Dare to be bold, Discover what's possible, and Do the incredible.

Summary

Location: Manchester

Type: Full time