R&D Manager Skincare Cosmetics

P2P Biosciences; Gurugram District; On-site; INR 1,800,000 - 3,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Compound in Gurugram, Haryana is seeking an exceptional R&D Manager with hands-on experience in skincare formulation and product development to lead formulation from concept to scale-up. This role requires ownership of stability testing, raw material evaluation, troubleshooting, and successful transfer to production.

You will work closely with founders and cross-functional teams to drive novel cosmetic, skincare, haircare and personal care formulations, ensure regulatory compliance, and maintain

Qualifications

• Minimum 6 years of hands-on R&D and formulation experience.
• Strong experience in skincare, cosmetics or related formulation development.
• Practical experience in formulation development, laboratory trials, stability testing and scale-up.
• Experience with raw material evaluation and new ingredient assessment.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills related to formulation and manufacturing processes.
• Experience working with Production, QA/QC, Procurement and manufacturing teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of new cosmetic, skincare, haircare and personal care formulations.
• Develop formulations from concept to pilot batch and commercial production.
• Select suitable raw materials, active ingredients, preservatives, fragrances, colors and functional ingredients.
• Optimise formulations for performance, stability, texture, appearance and consumer acceptance.
• Coordinate scale-up trials with Production, QA, QC and manufacturing teams; ensure transfer to production.

Skills

Skincare formulation

Scale-up experience

Stability testing

Troubleshooting

Documentation

Cross-functional collaboration

Product development

Job description

Company: Compound

Location: Gurugram, Haryana | Work from Office

Experience: Minimum 5 years

Function: Research & Development (Skincare Formulation & Product Development)

About Compound:

Compound is a dermatologist-founded, science-led skincare brand built around high-performance formulations and a concern-first approach to skincare.

We are looking for an exceptional, technically strong and hands-on R&D Manager who can take direct ownership of formulation and product development at Compound.

This is a hands-on role. The candidate should have strong practical experience in skincare formulation, stability testing, raw material evaluation, troubleshooting, scale-up and commercial production.

What You Will Own:

Product Development & Formulation:

• Lead the development of new cosmetic, skincare, haircare and personal care formulations.
• Develop formulations from concept to pilot batch and commercial production.
• Select suitable raw materials, active ingredients, preservatives, fragrances, colors and functional ingredients.
• Optimise formulations for performance, stability, texture, appearance, fragrance and consumer acceptance.
• Conduct reformulation and improvement of existing products.

R&D Trials & Scale-Up:

• Plan and execute laboratory and pilot-scale trials.
• Coordinate scale-up trials with Production, QA, QC and manufacturing teams.
• Identify and resolve formulation and process-related issues during scale-up.
• Ensure successful transfer of approved formulations from R&D to production.

Stability & Compatibility Testing:

• Design and monitor stability studies for developed products.
• Evaluate physical, chemical, microbiological and packaging compatibility parameters.
• Analyse stability results and recommend corrective actions where required.

Raw Material & Vendor Evaluation:

• Evaluate new raw materials and alternative ingredients.
• Work with Purchase and QC teams for raw material qualification.
• Conduct trials for cost-effective alternatives without compromising product quality.
• Support vendor evaluation and technical discussions.

Documentation:

Prepare and maintain:

• Master formulations
• Product development reports
• Trial reports
• Batch manufacturing/process instructions
• Raw material specifications
• Stability reports
• Product specifications
• R&D records and sample records
• Maintain proper documentation for audit and regulatory requirements.

Regulatory & Quality Compliance:

• Ensure formulations comply with applicable cosmetic regulations and internal quality standards.
• Coordinate with QA/QC for product specifications, testing requirements and approvals.
• Support regulatory documentation, customer requirements and technical questionnaires.

Who We’re Looking For:

• Minimum 6 years of hands-on R&D and formulation experience.
• Strong experience in skincare, cosmetics, personal care or related formulation development.
• Strong practical experience in formulation development, laboratory trials, stability testing and scale-up.
• Experience with raw material and active ingredient evaluation.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills related to formulation and manufacturing processes.
• Experience working closely with Production, QA, QC, Procurement and manufacturing teams.
• Strong understanding of cosmetic formulation, product development and quality requirements.
• Strong documentation and analytical skills.
• Comfortable working directly with founders in a fast-growing company.
• High ownership mindset and strong attention to detail.

Most Importantly:

We want someone who can take a product concept, translate it into a technically sound formulation, independently drive laboratory and pilot trials, identify and solve formulation challenges, and successfully take the product through scale-up to commercial production.

What Success Looks Like:

The successful candidate will help Compound:

• Develop high-performance, stable and commercially viable skincare formulations.
• Build and strengthen Compound's product development and R&D capabilities.
• Successfully take new products from concept to commercial production.
• Improve existing formulations based on performance, stability, quality and consumer requirements.
• Identify and evaluate innovative raw materials and formulation technologies.
• Establish robust R&D documentation, testing and scale-up processes.
• Ensure smooth collaboration between R&D, Production, QA, QC and manufacturing teams.

Why Compound:

This is an opportunity to join a young D2C skincare company at an early stage and directly influence how its product portfolio and R&D function are built.

The role will have significant ownership, direct access to the founders and the opportunity to build and shape the formulation and product development function as the company scales.