R&D Lab Manager - Beauty

Mackie Myers; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Mackie Myers is partnering with a beauty company to recruit an R&D Manager, Formulation, onsite in El Segundo, CA. You will lead development and optimization of Skin Care and Hair Care formulations, guiding a team of chemists from concept through scale-up.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in skincare/OTC formulation, strong leadership, regulatory awareness, and hands-on lab expertise. Travel up to 10% may be required; collaboration with Regulatory, Product Development, and Quality teams is

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or cosmetic science.
• 5+ years of R&D formulation experience in skincare/cosmetic/OTC; 10+ years preferred.
• Strong knowledge of cosmetic and OTC formulation principles and testing.
• Experience leading formulation scientists or chemists.
• Regulatory knowledge and industry standards.
• Excellent project management and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead formulation development for Skin Care and Hair Care products.
• Manage multiple formulation projects including development, reformulation, testing, and optimization.
• Mentor a team of formulation chemists and oversee daily lab activities.
• Hands-on formulation work when needed and active lab presence.
• Develop formulation strategies aligned with product objectives and timelines.
• Coordinate testing including preservative efficacy, safety, and compatibility.
• Support scale-up, tech transfer, manufacturing, and commercialization.
• Improve laboratory processes and R&D efficiency.
• Maintain formulation records, SOPs, and technical files.
• Provide guidance on formulation challenges and product development issues.
• Collaborate with Regulatory, Product Development, Procurement, Quality, EHS, and commercial teams.

Skills

R&D leadership

Formulation expertise

Project management

Team mentoring

Education

Bachelor's in Chemistry

Cosmetic Science degree

Tools

HPLC

Job description

Mackie Myers is partnering with a Beauty company on a R&D Manager.

About the Company

Our client is a growing, established contract manufacturer serving leading brands across the beauty, personal care, skincare, haircare, fragrance, and OTC categories. With deep expertise spanning product development, formulation, raw-material sourcing, manufacturing, and filling, the organization partners with both established and emerging brands to bring innovative products from concept through commercialization.

About the Role

The Manager, R&D Formulation will lead the development and optimization of Skin Care and Hair Care formulations across both cosmetic and OTC products. This hands‑on leadership position will oversee formulation projects, guide a team of chemists, and support products through development, testing, scale‑up, and commercialization. The ideal candidate brings strong formulation expertise, leadership capabilities, and the ability to move seamlessly between strategic planning and hands‑on laboratory work.

Responsibilities

• Lead formulation development for new and existing Skin Care and Hair Care products.
• Manage multiple formulation projects, including new product development, reformulation, troubleshooting, and product optimization.
• Lead and mentor a team of formulation chemists while overseeing daily laboratory activities.
• Maintain an active presence in the laboratory and conduct hands‑on formulation work when needed.
• Develop formulation strategies based on product objectives, performance requirements, and project timelines.
• Coordinate product testing, including preservative efficacy, safety, compatibility, and other required testing.
• Support scale‑up, technology transfer, manufacturing, and commercialization activities.
• Identify opportunities to improve laboratory processes, workflows, and overall R&D efficiency.
• Maintain organized formulation records, approved formula libraries, SOPs, project documentation, and technical files.
• Provide technical guidance on formulation challenges and product development issues.
• Partner with Regulatory, Product Development, Procurement, Quality, EHS, and commercial teams to move projects forward successfully.
• Monitor evolving cosmetic ingredients, technologies, formulation techniques, and industry trends.
• Ensure formulations and development activities align with applicable regulatory and industry requirements.
• Support ingredient sustainability and responsible sourcing initiatives where applicable.
• Manage project timelines, priorities, budgets, and related R&D activities.
• Provide technical training and ensure strong documentation practices across the formulation team.
• Communicate project progress, technical risks, and recommendations to senior leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Cosmetic Science, Pharmaceutical Science, or a related scientific discipline.
• 5+ years of R&D formulation experience within Skin Care, Hair Care, cosmetics, OTC, or a related industry; 10+ years preferred.
• Strong technical knowledge of cosmetic and OTC formulation principles and product testing.
• Experience developing, reformulating, scaling, and commercializing personal care products.
• Experience leading, mentoring, or managing formulation scientists or chemists.
• Working knowledge of relevant regulatory requirements and industry standards.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and critical‑thinking abilities.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills with strong attention to detail.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across multiple functions and build strong working relationships.
• Comfortable balancing strategic responsibilities with hands‑on laboratory work.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in a fast‑paced environment.
• Flexible, self‑directed, and comfortable adapting to changing project requirements.
• Willingness to travel up to 10% as needed.

Onsite Requirements

This is a fully onsite position in El Segundo, CA, Monday–Friday. Regular laboratory presence is required for hands‑on formulation and team collaboration.