Laboratory, Research and Development Manager

Confidential; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 220,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential is seeking an experienced Laboratory, Research and Development Manager to lead fragrance formulation and testing programs. You will oversee lab operations, ensure compliance with IFRA and ISO standards, and drive product innovation for both local and export markets.

Based in Riyadh, you will manage cross-functional teams, develop robust formulations, and ensure readiness and reliability of testing and trials while maintaining safety and regulatory compliance across GCC and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or a related field.
• 7–10 years in R&D within fragrance industry or similar.
• Proven experience managing laboratories, experiments, and testing.
• Strong knowledge of safety and regulatory standards for fragrance products.
• Experience with fragrance or cosmetic formulation and manufacturing procedures.
• Knowledge of analytical testing methods, product specifications, stability studies, and raw material evaluation.
• Knowledge of IFRA and export-market regulatory requirements.
• Experience with quality management systems and ISO standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead the laboratory team and monitor annual objectives.
• Ensure safe working environment in R&D and QC labs.
• Develop and approve analytical test methods for materials and products.
• Review specs, COAs, and lab reports for materials and products.
• Develop formulations and manufacturing procedures; train staff.
• Analyze stability results to anticipate defects and shelf life.
• Resolve technical issues and determine root causes.
• Ensure compliance with Gulf/European standards, IFRA, and export regs.
• Monitor regulatory updates affecting fragrance and cosmetics.
• Maintain technical files and documentation for products.
• Ensure ISO and quality management docs compliance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Laboratory management

Regulatory compliance

Fragrance formulation

Quality assurance

Analytical testing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Laboratory, Research and Development Manager to lead and manage research and development activities and technical laboratory operations, with a focus on innovating and developing fragrance formulations and new products, improving existing products, and ensuring the readiness, quality, and reliability of laboratory testing and trials. The role will contribute to enhancing the company’s competitiveness while ensuring compliance with local and international market requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the laboratory team, assign responsibilities, monitor the implementation of annual departmental objectives, and regularly evaluate team performance.
• Ensure a suitable and safe working environment for all employees within the Research and Development and Quality Control laboratories.
• Review, develop, and approve analytical test methods for raw materials and finished products.
• Review and approve specifications, acceptance and rejection criteria, certificates of analysis, and laboratory reports for raw materials and products.
• Develop product formulations and manufacturing procedures, train employees on their implementation, and continuously improve them based on accumulated technical expertise.
• Analyze product stability study results to anticipate potential formulation defects and determine product shelf life.
• Address technical issues arising in products and develop effective root-cause solutions.
• Ensure products comply with applicable Gulf and European standards, International Fragrance Association (IFRA) requirements, and the regulatory requirements of export markets.
• Monitor updates to laws and regulations governing the fragrance and cosmetics industries issued by food and drug authorities, standards and metrology authorities, ministries of commerce and customs authorities, and IFRA, both within and outside the Kingdom, particularly in export markets.
• Modify products in accordance with updates to local and international standards and specifications.
• Participate in reviewing and approving information printed on product packaging and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations inside and outside the Kingdom.
• Study raw materials used in product formulations, understand their properties, and identify suitable alternatives with improved quality and lower cost.
• Communicate with raw material suppliers, define the required specifications for each material, and coordinate the modification or replacement of non-conforming materials.
• Review and approve raw materials proposed by procurement committees and assess their compliance with established specifications.
• Ensure the availability of technical certificates and documentation required for product exports and resolve any issues related to specifications or documentation.
• Oversee the preparation and maintenance of comprehensive technical files for each product, including technical documentation, raw materials used in its formulation, supplier information, and manufacturing procedures.
• Ensure that all Research and Development and Quality Control laboratory activities and procedures are properly documented and comply with applicable quality management requirements, including ISO 17025, ISO 9001, ISO 22716, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and Saudi and UAE Quality Marks.
• Perform any other duties within the scope of the role as assigned by direct management.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or a related field.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in Research and Development within the fragrance industry or a similar industry.
• Proven practical experience managing laboratories, technical experiments, and testing activities.
• Strong knowledge of safety requirements and regulatory standards applicable to fragrance products.
• Experience with fragrance or cosmetic product formulation and manufacturing procedures.
• Knowledge of analytical testing methods, product specifications, stability studies, and raw material evaluation.
• Knowledge of international fragrance and cosmetics regulatory requirements, including IFRA standards and export-market requirements.
• Experience working with quality management systems and relevant ISO standards.