R&D Manager – Cosmetics / Personal Care

THE BARE BAR; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 2,500,000 - 3,800,000; Full time

Job summary

The Bare Bar, a private-label cosmetics brand under Clean Beauty Private Limited, Bengaluru, is seeking an R&D Manager to lead product development for The Bare Bar and client portfolios.

The role combines independent formulation, lab work and project leadership across skincare, haircare and body care, from concept and trials through scale-up, stability testing and commercialisation, reporting to the Head of R&D.

Qualifications

• 6–10 years of hands-on cosmetic or personal care formulation experience.
• Degree in Cosmetic Science, Chemistry, Pharmacy, Chemical Engineering or related field.
• Strong understanding of cosmetic ingredients, formulation science and manufacturing processes.
• Proven ability to formulate, troubleshoot, iterate and optimise products independently.
• Practical experience in stability testing, scale-up and product development through commercialisation.
• Good understanding of the cosmetics market, industry developments and global trends.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimise formulations across skincare, haircare, body care, cleansing and personal care categories.
• Conduct formulation trials, laboratory batches and prototype development.
• Troubleshoot texture, viscosity, pH, colour, odour, emulsification and stability issues.
• Evaluate new ingredients, actives, raw materials and formulation techniques.
• Stay updated on Indian and global cosmetic innovations, consumer preferences and competitive products.
• Support pilot trials, scale-up, technical transfer to Production and commercial manufacturing.
• Maintain formulations, master formula cards (MFCs), trial and stability records, specifications, process instructions and technical/product information sheets.
• Collaborate with Production and QA/QC to ensure product quality.
• Guide junior R&D team members and report to Head of R&D.

Skills

Formulation development

Stability testing

Scale-up

Troubleshooting

Technical documentation

Project management

Team leadership

Laboratory work

Education

Cosmetic Science degree

Chemistry degree

Pharmacy degree

Chemical Engineering degree

Job description

The Bare Bar is a personal care brand owned, developed and manufactured by Clean Beauty Private Limited, Bengaluru. Alongside The Bare Bar, Clean Beauty specialises in private-label manufacturing, contract manufacturing and product development for skincare and personal care brands.

About the role

We’re looking for a hands‑on, independent and technically strong R&D Manager to develop products across The Bare Bar and Clean Beauty’s client portfolio.

This role requires substantial laboratory involvement and the ability to independently drive formulation development from concept and trials through optimisation, stability testing, scale‑up and commercialisation. You will manage day‑to‑day formulation projects, working under the guidance of the Head of R&D in a fast‑paced environment.

Key responsibilities

• Independent formulation: Develop and optimise formulations across skincare, haircare, body care, cleansing and personal care categories.
• Hands‑on laboratory work: Personally conduct formulation trials, laboratory batches and prototype development.
• Troubleshooting and optimisation: Resolve challenges involving texture, viscosity, pH, colour, odour, emulsification, stability, preservation, sensory properties and overall performance.
• Ingredient research and innovation: Evaluate new ingredients, actives, raw materials, technologies and formulation techniques.
• Market and trend awareness: Stay updated on Indian and global cosmetic innovations, consumer preferences and competitive products.
• Stability testing: Conduct and interpret stability studies, driving reformulation where required.
• Scale‑up and commercialisation: Support pilot trials, scale‑up, technical transfer to Production and commercial manufacturing.
• Technical documentation: Maintain formulations, master formula cards (MFCs), trial and stability records, specifications, process instructions and technical/product information sheets.
• Production and quality collaboration: Work with Production and QA/QC to resolve technical issues and ensure consistent product quality.
• Project ownership: Manage multiple development projects, priorities and deadlines in a fast‑moving environment.
• Team development: Guide junior R&D team members and strengthen their practical formulation capabilities.

Qualifications and experience

• 6–10 years of hands‑on experience in cosmetic or personal care formulation and product development.
• Degree in Cosmetic Science, Chemistry, Pharmacy, Chemical Engineering or a related field.
• Strong understanding of cosmetic ingredients, formulation science and manufacturing processes.
• Proven ability to personally formulate, troubleshoot, iterate and optimise products independently.
• Practical experience in stability testing, scale‑up and product development through commercialisation.
• Good understanding of the cosmetics market, industry developments and global trends.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving and technical documentation skills.
• Ability to take ownership and deliver in a fast‑moving R&D environment.
• Professional integrity, accountability and a strong interest in formulation and product innovation.

Who this role suits

An experienced formulator who enjoys laboratory work, can independently execute core formulation and troubleshooting responsibilities, and can guide junior colleagues while reporting to the Head of R&D. Direct formulation experience is essential; coordination, documentation, quality/audit or people‑management experience alone will not meet the requirements.