Research & Development Chemists Manager

Voyant Beauty in; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Voyant Beauty in Los Angeles, CA, is seeking an experienced R&D Chemist Manager to lead formulation development and reverse engineering of skin, body, and hair care products. You will apply cosmetic science principles and guide a team to deliver innovative formulations.

Responsibilities include lab-scale development, scale-up, technology transfer to manufacturing, and cross-functional collaboration with Regulatory, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams to meet customer expectations while upholding

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry or related field required.
• 4-6 years cosmetic formulation and product development experience required.
• 1-3 years leading or mentoring technical teams required.
• 1-3 years in contract manufacturing and FDA/OTC regulatory environments preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead formulation development and reverse engineering of skin, body, and hair care products using cosmetic science principles across emulsions, surfactants, gels, and OTC systems.
• Coach and develop a team of R&D chemists and lab personnel, including prioritization, mentorship, and performance management.
• Drive lab-scale development, process development, and technology transfer with Operations and Quality.
• Manage R&D project portfolios, timelines, and resources to support customer programs and innovation pipelines.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Commercial, Regulatory, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing to ensure readiness for commercialization.
• Identify and evaluate new ingredients and technologies to support innovation and new business.

Skills

Cosmetic formulation

People leadership

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Lab scale-up

Technical writing

Business acumen

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry or related

Master's Degree in Chemistry/Cosmetic Science (Preferred)

Job description

Voyant Beauty believes our people are more than just employees; they’re the driving force behind everything we achieve. Our culture fosters teamwork, respect, and camaraderie, ensuring that every individual’s contribution is valued and celebrated. We invest in their growth, providing opportunities for development and advancement within our dynamic team.

Voyant Beauty is a company that specializes in the development and manufacturing, of beauty, personal and home care products. We work with various brands, retailers, and businesses to create customer formulations and products tailored to their needs. This can include skincare, haircare, bath and body products, fragrances, and more. Essentially, Voyant Beauty serves as a one-stop-shop for companies looking to bring their beauty and personal care product ideas to life.

Safety is a core value at Voyant Beauty. We prioritize the well-being of our team members, ensuring a safe and secure environment where everyone can thrive and excel.

If you’re seeking to be part of a team where your talents are valued, your safety is paramount, and your efforts contribute to meaningful change, then Voyant Beauty is the place for you. Come join us and be a part of our journey.

A Brief Overview

The R&D Chemist Manager is responsible for leading formulation development and reverse engineering of skin, body, and hair care products, applying advanced cosmetic science and laboratory principles. This role builds upon technical expertise by adding people leadership, project ownership, and cross-functional collaboration. The position oversees formulation strategy, lab-scale development, scale-up, and transfer to manufacturing while ensuring alignment with customer expectations, regulatory standards, and business objectives.

What you will do

• Formulate and reverse engineer skin, body, and hair care products utilizing cosmetic science principles across emulsions, surfactants, gels, and OTC systems.
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of R&D chemists and laboratory personnel, including prioritization, technical mentorship, and performance management.
• Drive laboratory scale-up, process development, and technology transfer in partnership with Operations and Quality.
• Manage R&D project portfolios, timelines, and resources to support customer programs and innovation pipelines.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Commercial, Regulatory, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing to ensure commercialization readiness.
• Identify and evaluate new ingredients, technologies, and competitive products to support innovation and new business.
• Ensure compliant documentation, data integrity, and adherence to laboratory and regulatory standards.

Education Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree Chemistry or related discipline (Required) or
• Master's Degree Chemistry, Cosmetic Science, or related field (Preferred)

Experience Qualifications

• 4-6 years Cosmetic formulation and product development (Required)
• 1-3 years Leading or mentoring technical teams (Required)
• 1-3 years In contract manufacturing and FDA/OTC regulatory environments (Preferred)

Skills and Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of cosmetic science and formulation principles (High proficiency)
• People leadership, coaching, and talent development capability (High proficiency)
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment (High proficiency)
• Cross-functional communication and stakeholder engagement skills (High proficiency)
• Scale-up, process troubleshooting, and manufacturing knowledge (High proficiency)
• Analytical, documentation, and technical writing skills (High proficiency)
• Business acumen and customer-centric decision making (High proficiency)

Our company provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, sex, color, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability or veteran status. Voyant Beauty will consider requests for accommodations due to a disability impacting a qualified employee's ability to perform the essential functions of their position consistent with applicable laws. In addition to federal law requirements, Voyant Beauty complies with applicable provincial and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.