Senior R&D Manager - Cosmetics

RBW Consulting; Alton; Híbrido; GBP 65.000 - 90.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

RBW Consulting is seeking a Senior R&D Manager for a growing health and beauty manufacturer in Hampshire. You will lead a small R&D team, drive innovation across beauty and personal care, and manage the full product development lifecycle from concept to launch.

The role combines technical leadership with customer engagement, collaboration across Commercial, Operations, Quality, Regulatory, and Manufacturing, and a strong emphasis on delivering commercially viable products.

Formación

• Background in beauty, cosmetics, personal care, or related consumer products.
• Experienced in managing and developing technical/R&D teams.
• Strong stakeholder and client-facing skills with ability to build lasting relationships.
• Proven track record delivering new product development projects.
• Commercial awareness and understanding of market trends.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and influencing skills.
• Strong project management and organisational abilities.
• Experience with cosmetic regulations and compliance.
• Experience in contract manufacturing or customer-led development.
• Understanding of formulation, scale-up, and manufacturing processes.

Responsabilidades

• Lead, mentor, and develop a small R&D team.
• Drive the innovation strategy across beauty and personal care product categories.
• Manage the full product development lifecycle from concept to launch.
• Act as the technical lead for key customers and stakeholders.
• Translate client requirements into commercially viable products.
• Collaborate with Commercial, Operations, Quality, Regulatory, Procurement, and Manufacturing teams.
• Identify emerging trends, ingredients, technologies, and market opportunities.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to high quality standards.
• Present technical proposals and development updates to customers and senior leadership.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives across the R&D function.

Conocimientos

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Project management

Communication

Presentation skills

Influencing

Commercial awareness

Team development

Educación

Chemistry / Cosmetic Science degree

Descripción del empleo

Working Pattern: Primarily site-based with flexibility for hybrid working

Lead Innovation in a Growing Health & Beauty Business

We are seeking an experienced Senior R&D Manager to join an innovative beauty and personal care manufacturer based in Hampshire. This is a fantastic opportunity for a commercially minded R&D leader to drive product innovation, manage key customer relationships, and lead a high-performing team in the development of exciting beauty and cosmetic products.

This role combines technical leadership, people management, and customer engagement, making it ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys bringing new ideas from concept through to commercial launch.

The Role

As Senior R&D Manager, you will:

• Lead, mentor, and develop a small team of dedicated R&D professionals
• Drive the innovation strategy across beauty and personal care product categories
• Manage the full product development lifecycle from concept to launch
• Act as the technical lead for key customers and stakeholders
• Build strong relationships with clients, understanding their requirements and translating them into commercially viable products
• Collaborate closely with Commercial, Operations, Quality, Regulatory, Procurement, and Manufacturing teams
• Identify emerging trends, ingredients, technologies, and market opportunities
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards
• Present technical proposals and development updates to customers and senior leadership teams
• Support continuous improvement initiatives across the R&D function

About You

We are looking for an experienced R&D leader with a strong background in beauty, cosmetics, personal care, or related consumer products.

• Proven experience within the beauty, cosmetics, personal care, skincare, toiletries, or adjacent FMCG sectors
• Significant experience managing and developing technical or R&D teams
• Strong stakeholder and client-facing skills with the ability to build lasting relationships
• Track record of successfully delivering new product development projects
• Commercial awareness and an understanding of market trends
• Excellent communication, presentation, and influencing skills
• Strong project management and organisational abilities
• Degree qualified in Chemistry, Cosmetic Science, Formulation Science, or a related discipline
• Experience working with skincare, haircare, toiletries, cosmetics, or wellness products
• Knowledge of cosmetic regulations and compliance requirements
• Experience working within a contract manufacturing or customer-led development environment
• Understanding of formulation, scale-up, and manufacturing processes

What's on Offer?

• Senior leadership position within a growing business
• Opportunity to shape innovation strategy and product pipelines
• Management responsibility for a talented R&D team
• High level of customer interaction and strategic influence
• Competitive salary and benefits package

If you're an accomplished R&D leader looking to make a significant impact within the beauty and personal care sector, we'd love to hear from you. Join a business where innovation, collaboration, and customer partnership are at the heart of everything they do.