R&D Manager - Personal Care Ingredients

Novaris Search Limited; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Novaris Search Limited is seeking an experienced innovation professional to bridge technical development and commercialization. The role spans R&D, commercial and customer-facing teams to bring ingredient technologies from concept through market launch.

You will shape innovation strategy, evaluate technologies and drive development programs, with direct access to senior leadership and a culture of open collaboration. Strong track record in personal care ingredients is essential.

Qualifications

• 8+ years' experience in R&D, technical, applications, product development or innovation.
• Strong knowledge of personal care ingredients and formulation science.
• Proven track record of bringing products/technologies to market.
• Ability to connect technical innovation with commercial opportunities and customer needs.
• Experience working cross-functionally across technical and commercial teams.
• Strong communication and presentation skills; translate science into customer benefits.
• Degree in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering; advanced qualifications advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead innovation and commercialisation projects from concept to market launch.
• Identify market opportunities, emerging technologies and gaps to inform pipeline.
• Evaluate technology feasibility, performance and potential through experiments.
• Collaborate with commercial teams to translate customer needs into differentiated solutions.
• Develop technical narratives, value propositions and launch materials.
• Deliver technical presentations and customer-facing support to strengthen opportunities.
• Collaborate with R&D, technical service, marketing and commercial teams for project execution.
• Support IP development, competitive intelligence and differentiation strategies.
• Mentor and support junior technical team members.

Skills

R&D leadership

Ingredients knowledge

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication/presentation

Mentoring

Education

Chemistry/Chemical Engineering degree

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Novaris Search are partnered with a highly respected global manufacturer of personal care ingredients that is continuing to invest heavily in innovation, technical capabilities and commercial growth. As part of this investment, they are looking to strengthen their technical leadership team with a number of roles including an experienced innovation professional who can bridge technical development and commercialisation.

This is a highly visible role, working across R&D, commercial and customer-facing teams to bring new ingredient technologies from concept through to market launch. You'll play a key role in shaping innovation strategy, evaluating emerging technologies, driving development projects and ensuring new products are positioned for commercial success.

With direct access to senior leadership and a genuine open-door culture, this is an opportunity to influence both the innovation roadmap and long-term growth of the business. This is a very exciting time to join this well established company as they continue to invest in their manufacturing capabilities and labs. Supplying leading beauty brands, cdmo's and emerging brands, they have a strong reputation for technical excellence, customer partnership and their commitment to sustainable innovation and green chemistry. They have a market-leading portfolio of technologies/ingredients and have launched numerous award-winning products.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead innovation and commercialisation projects, taking new ingredient technologies from concept through development and market launch.
• Support the innovation pipeline by identifying market opportunities, emerging technologies and competitive gaps.
• Evaluate technology feasibility, performance and commercial potential through technical assessment and experimentation.
• Work closely with commercial teams to translate customer needs into differentiated product solutions.
• Develop compelling technical narratives, value propositions and launch support materials.
• Deliver technical presentations, training and customer-facing support to strengthen commercial opportunities.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with R&D, technical service, marketing and commercial teams to drive project execution.
• Support intellectual property development, competitive intelligence and technical differentiation strategies.
• Mentor and support more junior technical team members.

Ideal Background

• 8+ years' relevant experience within R&D, Technical, Applications, Product Development or Innovation
• Strong understanding of personal care ingredients, formulation science and ingredient functionality.
• Proven track record of bringing new products, technologies or ingredient platforms to market.
• Ability to connect technical innovation with commercial opportunities and customer needs.
• Experience working cross-functionally across technical and commercial organisations.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex science into meaningful customer benefits.
• Degree qualified in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or similar. Advanced qualifications would be advantageous.