Head of R&D

Dr.-Squatch; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 190,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401k with Squatch match

PTO and perks (snacks, events, free产品)

Job summary

Dr. Squatch is seeking a Head of R&D to lead technical innovation and product development as the company scales. The role combines hands-on formulation work with strategic leadership, overseeing a multidisciplinary team and key partnerships with contract manufacturers.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in fast-moving consumer goods R&D, strong experience with natural formulations, and the ability to balance speed, quality, cost, and scalability in a hybrid Los Angeles environment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive R&D leadership in personal care or related consumer products.
• Hands-on formulation experience required, time spent at the bench.
• Experience scaling formulations with contract manufacturers and co-manufacturers.

Responsibilities

• Own technical strategy and decision-making across the full product development lifecycle.
• Lead formulation development across soaps, deodorants, body care, hair care, skincare, and adjacent categories.
• Oversee manufacturing scale-up and troubleshooting with co-manufacturing networks.
• Mentor and develop a cross-functional R&D team across formulation, development, and engineering.
• Build scalable development processes and cross-functional ways of working.
• Partner with external manufacturers, suppliers, and Unilever stakeholders as the business scales.

Skills

R&D leadership

Hands-on formulation

Scale formulations with CMs

Team development

Executive stakeholder comms

High-growth environments

Relocation to LA

Natural/clean formulations

OTC/sunscreen knowledge

Education

Bachelor's in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Why We Exist and What We Do

At Dr. Squatch ( www.drsquatch.com ), we’re raising the bar on men’s personal care with our line of natural, high-performance products. We’re on a high-growth, fast-moving ride, continually introducing new product categories, launching into retailers nationwide, and growing internationally. We have been recognized and certified by Great Place to Work® multiple times, and we achieved status as a certified BCorp in 2023. Weare looking for passionate, talented people who want to join us in our mission to inspire and educate men to be happier and healthier!

About the Role

Dr. Squatch is seeking a Head of R&D to lead the next phase of technical and product innovation across the organization. We are seeking a hands‑on technical leader who can help scale and evolve the organization's product development capabilities while navigating the increasing operational complexity that comes with rapid growth across retail and omnichannel channels.

The ideal candidate combines deep formulation expertise with strong operational judgment and an entrepreneurial mindset. This person should be equally comfortable evaluating ingredient systems, troubleshooting manufacturing realities, influencing executive stakeholders, and making practical decisions in fast-moving environments. Success in the role will require balancing speed, scalability, quality, cost, and formulation integrity without creating unnecessary process or bureaucracy.

Reporting into executive leadership, the Head of R&D will oversee a multidisciplinary technical organization spanning formulation, product development, and manufacturing/process engineering. They will serve as a key strategic and technical partner internally and with Unilever stakeholders as the company continues expanding across categories and channels. The mandate is not simply to support the current business — it is to help build the technical foundation, team, and operating capabilities needed for the next stage of growth.

This is a full-time, hybrid role with company benefits, based in Marina Del Rey, CA, that requires 3 days per week at Dr. Squatch HQ.

The anticipated base compensation range for this role will be $190,000 to $210,000. Compensation will be commensurate with the candidate's experience and local market rates.

What You’ll Do:

• Technical Development & Formulation Leadership
  • Own technical strategy and decision-making across the full product development lifecycle
  • Lead formulation development across soaps, deodorants, body care, hair care, skincare, and adjacent categories
  • Evaluate ingredient systems, raw materials, and manufacturing processes to ensure product performance, scalability, and brand alignment
  • Serve as the company's senior technical authority across formulation, quality, and product performance discussions
  • Translate complex scientific concepts into clear, actionable recommendations for commercial and executive stakeholders
  • Ensure speed-to-market without compromising formulation integrity, product quality, or technical rigor
• Innovation & Pipeline Leadership
  • Lead the innovation pipeline from concept through commercialization across new products, reformulations, and adjacent category expansion
  • Partner cross-functionally to identify whitespace opportunities and prioritize future growth platforms
  • Drive a consumer- and insight-led innovation agenda while balancing operational feasibility and regulatory considerations
  • Build scalable development processes and ways of working that improve agility, execution, and cross-functional collaboration
  • Help evolve the organization's long‑term R&D and innovation capabilities as the business continues to scale
• Manufacturing & External Partnerships
  • Lead technical relationships with contract manufacturers, raw material suppliers, and external development partners
  • Oversee manufacturing scale‑up and troubleshooting activities across co‑manufacturing networks
  • Support cost optimization and continuous improvement initiatives without compromising consumer experience or product quality
  • Navigate technical tradeoffs and stakeholder alignment with strong judgment and influence
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team spanning formulation, product development, and manufacturing/process engineering
• Foster a culture of accountability, technical excellence, curiosity, and collaboration
• Help attract, develop, and retain high‑potential technical talent
• Operate as a player‑coach leader capable of moving fluidly between strategic leadership and hands‑on problem solving

About You:

• Required Experience
  • 10+ years of progressive R&D leadership experience within personal care, beauty, or adjacent consumer products categories
  • Deep hands‑on formulation experience; candidates must have meaningful time spent \"at the bench,\" not solely in oversight positions
  • Proven experience scaling formulations through external manufacturing partners and co‑manufacturers
  • Demonstrated success leading and developing technical teams
  • Strong ability to communicate effectively with executive, commercial, and technical stakeholders
  • Experience operating effectively in high‑growth, fast‑paced environments
  • Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related scientific discipline; advanced degree preferred
  • Willingness to relocate to or work in the Los Angeles area on a hybrid basis
• Strongly Preferred
  • Experience within natural, naturally derived, or clean formulation systems
  • Familiarity with standards such as ISO 16128
  • Experience operating within a founder‑led or entrepreneurial brand that later scaled within a larger enterprise environment
  • OTC or sunscreen category experience
  • Exposure to cost optimization and margin improvement initiatives
  • Experience balancing innovation speed with technical rigor and operational scalability

#LI-TC1 #LI-HYBRID #LI-FULLTIME

Who We Are:

Our core values come naturally and make us a better, more whole, and unique team. We are Bold & Innovative - we are creative, rethink how things are done, and find a way. We Play to Win - we have high standards, we encourage ownership of work, we are scrappy, we act with urgency, and we invest in the outcome of our work. We are Team Squatch - we are humble, help others outside our own wheelhouse, stay positive, have fun, and have approachable and transparent leadership.

We offer a competitive salary in a growth-focused & collaborative team environment. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, 401k with Squatch match, and PTO. We also have great perks like healthy snacks, frequent company events, and of course, free products!

For Applicants with Disabilities.

Reasonable accommodation will be made so that qualified applicants with disabilities may participate in the application process. If you need any accommodations during the hiring process, please let us know when you submit your application and we'll do our very best to adjust as needed.

As set forth in Dr. Squatch’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.