Formulation Chemist - Personal Care

Novaris Search Limited; United States; On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Novaris Search is seeking a Chemist for innovative personal care and skincare formulations, from initial brief through scale-up and commercial production, collaborating with a seasoned technical and manufacturing team.

The ideal candidate will have proven formulation experience in personal care or cosmetics, with hands-on lab work, strong knowledge of materials, and a drive to translate briefs into robust, market-ready products.

Qualifications

• Proven formulation experience within personal care, skincare or cosmetics.
• Experience developing products from early concept to scale-up and commercial production.
• Creative, practical and solution-focused approach to formulation.
• Strong knowledge of raw materials, formulation functionality and product-performance evaluation.
• Hands-on laboratory work and collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• Ability to manage multiple development projects with attention to detail.
• Genuine interest in innovation and creating standout products.
• Willingness to relocate for a fully onsite role in the Northeast.

Responsibilities

• Develop innovative personal care and skincare formulations from concept through to commercialisation.
• Interpret customer briefs and translate them into technically robust, commercially viable product solutions.
• Conduct laboratory formulation work, product evaluations, stability testing and ongoing formula optimisation.
• Partner with internal technical, quality, operations and commercial teams to progress projects.
• Support formulation scale-up, pilot batches and transfer into full manufacturing.
• Troubleshoot formulation, raw material, processing and production challenges.
• Maintain detailed laboratory records and technical project information.
• Keep current with ingredient innovation and consumer trends.

Skills

Formulation expertise

Skincare/cosmetics

Scale-up

Laboratory research

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Innovation

Relocation willingness

Job description

Novaris Search is partnered with a well-established and growing personal care contract manufacturer with an exceptional reputation for helping brands bring distinctive, high-quality products to market.

This is not a purely lab-based formulation role. You will have the opportunity to take innovative personal care and skincare concepts from an initial brief through formulation, testing, scale-up and commercial production, working closely with a highly experienced technical and manufacturing team throughout the process.

The company is in an exciting phase of continued investment and growth, including expansion of its operational capabilities and investment in advanced equipment. Despite that growth, it has retained a collaborative, people-focused culture, with strong employee tenure and genuine opportunities for individuals to develop their careers internally.

For a Chemist who enjoys creative formulation, solving technical challenges and seeing products successfully reach the market, this is a genuinely compelling opportunity.

Key responsibilities

• Develop innovative personal care and skincare formulations from concept through to commercialisation.
• Interpret customer briefs and translate them into technically robust, commercially viable product solutions.
• Conduct laboratory formulation work, product evaluations, stability testing and ongoing formula optimisation.
• Partner with internal technical, quality, operations and commercial teams to progress projects effectively.
• Support formulation scale-up, pilot batches and successful transfer into full manufacturing.
• Troubleshoot formulation, raw material, processing and production challenges.
• Maintain detailed laboratory records, formulation documentation and technical project information.
• Keep current with ingredient innovation, consumer trends and new product developments within personal care and skincare.
• Contribute ideas that strengthen the business’s product offering and help deliver an excellent client experience.

What we are looking for

• Proven formulation experience within personal care, skincare, cosmetics or a closely related product category.
• Experience developing products from an early-stage concept through to scale-up and commercial production.
• A creative, practical and solutions-focused approach to formulation.
• Strong knowledge of raw materials, formulation functionality and product-performance evaluation.
• Someone who enjoys working hands-on in a laboratory and collaborating closely with cross-functional teams.
• The ability to manage multiple development projects while maintaining strong attention to detail.
• A genuine interest in innovation and creating products that stand out in a competitive market.
• Willingness to relocate for a fully onsite role in the Northeast.

Why consider this opportunity?

• Join a business with a strong track record in personal care manufacturing and a clear commitment to future growth.
• Work in a culture where creativity, collaboration and new ideas are actively encouraged.
• Gain visibility across the complete product-development journey, rather than being limited to a narrow area of formulation.
• Be part of a technically capable team with deep manufacturing expertise and a shared focus on delivering for customers.
• Access clear opportunities for internal development as the organisation continues to invest and expand.
• Join a company known for retaining its people and creating an environment where employees can build long-term careers.
• A competitive salary and a relocation package are available for the successful candidate.