Quality Control - R&D - Cosmetics Formulator

Cocoa and shea; Kuwait City; On-site; KWD 10,000 - 17,000; Full time

Job summary

Cocoa and Shea is seeking a skilled Cosmetic Chemist – R&D, Formulation & Quality Control to develop skincare, hair, and body care products. You will formulate, test, and document formulations, ensuring stability and GMP compliance while supporting scale-up from lab to production.

The role requires a chemistry or cosmetic science background, with hands-on experience in emulsions, surfactants, preservation, and rheology. English communication is essential; Arabic knowledge is a plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a scientific field related to cosmetics.
• Experience in cosmetic formulation, R&D, QC or manufacturing preferred.
• Strong understanding of emulsions, surfactants, preservation and rheology.
• Excellent documentation and record-keeping abilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and reformulate cosmetic products per briefs and requirements.
• Prepare lab samples and prototypes; maintain development records.
• Conduct formulation trials, troubleshoot issues like separation or instability.
• Support scale-up from lab to pilot and commercial production.
• Ensure GMP-compliant documentation and QC testing throughout development.
• Assist with stability testing and packaging compatibility assessments.
• Review ingredient usage per regulations and support product registration.

Skills

Cosmetic formulation

R&D

QC

Documentation

Troubleshooting

Attention to detail

English proficiency

Arabic advantage

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Cosmetic Science, Pharmaceutical Science, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry or related field

Tools

pH meters

viscometers

laboratory mixers

homogenizers

precision balances

Job description

1 Cosmetic Formulation

R DDevelop new cosmetic formulations based on product briefs and client requirements Formulate products including Body lotions and creamsBody buttersBody scrubsShower gels and body washesFacial skincareSerumsHair shampoos and conditionersHair masks and treatmentsScalp productsBody oilsMists and spraysCleansing productsOther personal-care productsReformulate and improve existing products for better texture stability performance sensory feel or cost Select suitable raw materials active ingredients emulsifiers surfactants preservatives thickeners oils butters fragrances and functional ingredients Prepare laboratory samples and prototypes Conduct formulation trials and maintain accurate development records Calculate formulas in percentages and convert formulas into different batch sizes Develop manufacturing procedures and batch instructions Evaluate ingredient compatibility and packaging compatibility Troubleshoot formulation problems such as separation settling viscosity changes discoloration odor changes crystallization or instability Support scale-up from laboratory batches to pilot and commercial production Research new cosmetic ingredients technologies textures and product concepts

2 Quality Control

Inspect and approve incoming cosmetic raw materials Verify raw-material specifications COAs expiry dates batch numbers and storage conditions Perform quality checks on bulk products during manufacturing Conduct finished-product QC before product release Monitor AppearanceColourOdourTexturepHViscosityDensity specific gravity where applicableFill weightPackaging integrityCompare finished batches against approved reference standards Record and investigate out-of-specification results Identify manufacturing deviations and recommend corrective actions Approve or reject batches according to internal quality specifications Maintain retention samples from manufactured batches Monitor raw material and finished-product expiry dates

3 Stability Compatibility Testing

Prepare and manage product stability testing programs Conduct accelerated and real-time stability testing Monitor products under different conditions including Room temperatureElevated temperatureRefrigerated conditionsFreeze-thaw cycles where requiredRecord changes in pH viscosity colour odour appearance texture and packaging Conduct packaging compatibility assessments Prepare stability reports and recommendations Determine whether formulations require modification before commercial production

4 Production Manufacturing Support

Supervise or support the preparation of pilot and production batches Ensure manufacturing follows the approved Master Formula and Batch Manufacturing Record Verify weighing and dispensing of raw materials Confirm correct mixing temperatures speeds order of addition and processing times Assist production staff with technical formulation issues Investigate batch failures and production inconsistencies Support scale-up calculations and production optimization Help establish standard manufacturing procedures for each product

5 Quality GMP Documentation

Prepare and maintain technical documentation including Master FormulasBatch Manufacturing RecordsProduct SpecificationsRaw Material SpecificationsFinished Product SpecificationsStability Testing RecordsQC Testing RecordsR D Development RecordsDeviation ReportsCorrective and Preventive Action records CAPA Standard Operating Procedures SOPs Ensure documentation follows cosmetic GMP requirements Maintain proper traceability of ingredients batches samples and finished products Support internal and external GMP inspections and audits

6 Raw Material Supplier Evaluation

Evaluate samples from new raw-material suppliers Review Technical Data Sheets Safety Data Sheets and Certificates of Analysis Compare alternative raw materials based on performance quality and cost Assist purchasing with technical specifications for cosmetic ingredients Recommend suitable substitutes when ingredients are unavailable Maintain an approved raw-material list

7 Product Safety Compliance Support

Review cosmetic ingredient usage levels and restrictions Ensure formulations are developed according to applicable cosmetic regulations and recognized industry standards Prepare INCI ingredient lists Support preparation of product technical files Assist with product registration documentation where required Maintain accurate records for each formulation and manufactured product

Candidate Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Cosmetic Science, Pharmaceutical Science, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry or a related scientific field.Previous experience in cosmetic formulation, R&D, QC or cosmetic manufacturing preferred.Strong understanding of:Cosmetic emulsionsSurfactant systemsPreservation systemsRheology and viscositypH adjustmentCosmetic oils and buttersActive ingredientsStability testingExperience using laboratory equipment such as pH meters, viscometers, laboratory mixers, homogenizers and precision balances.Good understanding of cosmetic GMP and quality-control procedures.Strong documentation and record-keeping skills.Ability to troubleshoot formulations independently.Strong attention to detail.Comfortable working in both the laboratory and production environment.Good English communication skills; Arabic is an advantage.Preferred ExperienceExperience developing or manufacturing skincare, body care and hair care products is highly preferred.Experience with private-label or contract cosmetics manufacturing is an advantage

Position

Cosmetic Chemist – R&D, Formulation & Quality Control