Chemist

Markwins Beauty Brands; California; On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) match

Job summary

Markwins Beauty Brands is seeking a Chemist who will report to the Sr. Director, R&D and Innovation.

This role formulates cosmetic products across emulsions, sticks and powders, ensuring quality and stability from lab to production, and collaborates with marketing to deliver on-time products. The position requires a Bachelor's in a scientific field and at least 2 years of hands-on cosmetic product development experience, with travel up to 25%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a scientific discipline is required.
• Minimum 2+ years of hands-on cosmetic product development experience.

Responsibilities

• Formulate cosmetic products (emulsions, sticks, powders) per brief and benchmarks.
• Manage multiple projects from inception to launch to meet milestones.
• Maintain bench records and review formulas for production transfer.
• Prepare SOPs and specifications; collaborate with production/compounding teams.
• Oversee pilot batches, stability, and compatibility testing.
• Troubleshoot formulas and adjust batches as needed.
• Perform routine lab tests (pH, viscosity, SG, particle size, melting point).
• Attend supplier meetings and industry seminars to stay current.

Skills

Emulsions knowledge

cGMP awareness

Strong communication

Project management

Microsoft Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Biology or other scientific discipline

2+ years of cosmetic product development experience

Job description

Company Background

Markwins Beauty Brands is a global leader in beauty and cosmetics. A pioneering AAPI-owned company, Eric Chen founded Markwins in 1984, and led as CEO until his passing in 2021. His wife, and then-CAO, Lina Chen, then assumed the role of CEO, and leads in the position today. Markwins has distinguished itself with groundbreaking product innovation, reimagined go-to-market strategies, and leading supply-chain dynamics. From humble and disruptive origins, the company was famous in its early years as the pioneer of compact palettes and gift sets, and stands today as the largest privately held beauty company in North America. With a brand portfolio that includes Black Radiance®, Lip Smacker®, LORAC®, Physicians Formula®, and wet n wild®, Markwins Beauty Brands’ products are sold in retail outlets including department, specialty, mass, drug, and food stores, in over 80,000 doors in 80 countries worldwide.

Company Background

Markwins Beauty Brands is a global leader in beauty and cosmetics. A pioneering AAPI-owned company, Eric Chen founded Markwins in 1984, and led as CEO until his passing in 2021. His wife, and then-CAO, Lina Chen, then assumed the role of CEO, and leads in the position today. Markwins has distinguished itself with groundbreaking product innovation, reimagined go-to-market strategies, and leading supply-chain dynamics. From humble and disruptive origins, the company was famous in its early years as the pioneer of compact palettes and gift sets, and stands today as the largest privately held beauty company in North America. With a brand portfolio that includes Black Radiance®, Lip Smacker®, LORAC®, Physicians Formula®, and wet n wild®, Markwins Beauty Brands’ products are sold in retail outlets including department, specialty, mass, drug, and food stores, in over 80,000 doors in 80 countries worldwide.

Position Summary

The Chemist will report directly to the Sr. Director, R&D and Innovation. This position will be responsible for formulating cosmetic products of all different forms and ensuring quality and stability of each product from lab to production. The Chemist will also be responsible for keeping up to date with industry trends, presenting innovative ideas and products, and working collaboratively with marketing to deliver quality products on time. The position requires strong collaboration skills, a proactive and solutions-oriented approach, and the ability to effectively manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Essential Tasks, Duties, & Responsibilities

• Independently formulate cosmetic products of different forms including emulsions, sticks, powders, etc. according to product brief and benchmark
• Manage multiple projects at any given time from inception to launch making sure each milestone is met on time
• Maintain accurate record of work on bench and review formulas to ensure proper transition into production
• Issue compounding SOP, product specifications, filling SOP and collaborate with production and compounding departments to ensure clear communication
• Work with compounding and oversee pilot batches and issue adjustments as needed
• Oversee stability and compatibility of products
• Troubleshoot formulas and compounding batches if out of specification
• Perform routine laboratory tests including but not limited to pH analysis, viscosity measurement, Specific Gravity measurement, particle size analysis, and melting point
• Determine fill weight based on approved component
• Attend meetings with suppliers, industry seminars and events to keep up to date with trends and technology
• Perform other duties as needed and directed by management

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Biology or other scientific discipline required
• Minimum 2+ years of professional hands-on work experience developing cosmetic products

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Ability and willingness to travel up to 25%, including international travel to Mexico
• Knowledge of O/W and W/O emulsions and pigments
• Some knowledge of cosmetic regulation
• Strong communication and project management skills with attention to detail
• Knowledge of cGMP procedures
• Basic computer skills including Excel, Word, PowerPoint etc.

Working Conditions

Good working conditions, with the absence of disagreeable conditions.

Salary

Pay commensurate with experience.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package includes employer paid health benefits and 401k match. Benefits typically offered only to full-time employees.

Markwins Beauty Brands is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Markwins Beauty Brands does not discriminate in practices or employment opportunities on the basis of an individual's race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other proscribed category set forth in federal or state regulations.

Note

Note: The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees, but are not a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.