QC Cosmetic Chemist - Chicago Heights, IL

Kelly Services; Illinois; On-site; USD 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Telemedicine

Life insurance

Short-term disability

Retirement savings plan

Holiday pay

Job summary

Kelly® Science & Clinical in the Chicago Heights area is seeking multiple QC Cosmetic Chemists for full-time, direct-hire positions. You will join the Quality Control team to ensure the quality, safety, and regulatory compliance of cosmetics and OTC products across production stages, with exposure to advanced analytical instrumentation.

Shifts include 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, salaried with no differential. Responsibilities cover testing at in-process, bulk, and finished goods, data review, batch

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or related science field.
• 1–3 years of hands‑on QC experience within personal care, cosmetics, OTC pharmaceuticals, or a comparable regulated manufacturing setting – must have beauty industry experience for the QC role; will consider for a lower level analytical chemist if no beauty industry experience.
• Solid grasp of laboratory methodologies and manufacturing quality frameworks.
• Proven ability to perform batch calculations and make data‑driven adjustment recommendations.
• Comfortable working autonomously with minimal day‑to‑day oversight.
• Strong documentation habits, organizational discipline, and analytical problem‑solving abilities.
• Clear and effective communication — both written and verbal.

Responsibilities

• Conduct testing at multiple production stages — in-process, bulk, and finished goods — across hair care, skin care, and OTC products.
• Review, interpret and validate analytical data.
• Develop and apply batch correction calculations to bring products into specification.
• Operate and maintain a range of laboratory instruments, including pH meters, conductivity meters, viscometers, centrifuges, HPLC and FTIR systems.
• Serve as a real-time quality resource on the production floor, communicating findings promptly to manufacturing staff.
• Lead or assist in out-of-specification investigations and drive corrective measures forward.
• Keep thorough, audit-ready records in alignment with GMP, SOP, and regulatory documentation standards.
• Partner cross-functionally with Production, R&D, and Regulatory Affairs on quality initiatives, product troubleshooting, and process improvements.
• Contribute analytical support to new product launches and scale‑up activities.

Skills

Analytical problem-solving

Documentation skills

Communication skills

Autonomous / self-directed

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or related science field

Tools

HPLC

FTIR

pH meters

Conductivity meters

Viscometers

Centrifuges

Total solids equipment

Job description

Job Description

Kelly® Science & Clinical is seeking multiple QC Cosmetic Chemists for full-time, direct hire positions at a premier manufacturing client in Chicago Heights, IL area. If you’re passionate about ensuring product quality and regulatory compliance in the world of cosmetics and personal care and are ready to take the next step in your career, trust The Experts at Hiring Experts.

Salary/Pay Rate/Compensation

$50,000 - $80,000 and based off experience

Overview

This client is an industry‑leading manufacturer of premium personal care and OTC products, known for innovation and commitment to consumer safety. In this role, you’ll join an experienced team in the Quality Control Department to ensure the quality, safety, and regulatory compliance of cosmetics and OTC products throughout the manufacturing process. This role will give you an opportunity to gain hands‑on experience with advanced analytical instrumentation, collaborate with professionals in Quality, R&D, Regulatory, and Manufacturing, and contribute directly to product quality and operational excellence.

Schedule

Full-Time | Multiple Shifts available – 1st, 2nd, and 3rd shifts – no shift differential and all shifts are salaried – shifts include 5AM-3PM EST, Mon-Thurs; 3PM-1AM, Mon-Thurs; 6AM-6PM, Fri-Sun

Day to Day Job Responsibilities

• Conduct testing at multiple production stages — including in-process, bulk, and finished goods — across hair care, skin care, and OTC products
• Review, interpret and validate analytical data
• Develop and apply batch correction calculations to bring products into specification
• Operate and maintain a range of laboratory instruments, including but not limited to:
  • pH meters & conductivity meters
  • Viscometers & centrifuges
  • Total solids equipment
  • HPLC & FTIR systems
• Serve as a real-time quality resource on the production floor, communicating findings promptly to manufacturing staff
• Lead or assist in out-of-specification investigations and drive corrective measures forward
• Keep thorough, audit-ready records in alignment with GMP, SOP, and regulatory documentation standards
• Partner cross-functionally with Production, R&D, and Regulatory Affairs on quality initiatives, product troubleshooting, and process improvements
• Contribute analytical support to new product launches and scale‑up activities

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or related science field
• 1–3 years of hands‑on QC experience within personal care, cosmetics, OTC pharmaceuticals, or a comparable regulated manufacturing setting – must have beauty industry experience for the QC role; will consider for a lower level analytical chemist if no beauty industry experience.
• Solid grasp of laboratory methodologies and manufacturing quality frameworks
• Proven ability to perform batch calculations and make data‑driven adjustment recommendations
• Comfortable working autonomously with minimal day‑to‑day oversight
• Strong documentation habits, organizational discipline, and analytical problem‑solving abilities
• Clear and effective communication — both written and verbal

Preferred

• Prior experience operating within a GMP-regulated environment
• Exposure to FDA requirements governing OTC drug products
• Practical experience with HPLC and/or FTIR instrumentation and methods
• Familiarity with personal care, cosmetic, or topical drug formulation science
• Background in conducting formal quality investigations and implementing resolutions

Benefits

As part of our promise to talent, Kelly supports those who work with us through a variety of benefits, perks, and work‑related resources. Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short‑term disability. As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account. In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan. Click here for more information on benefits and perks that may be available to you as a member of the Kelly Talent Community.