Senior Cosmetic Chemist – R&D Lead

Caliscc; Gardena (CA); Vor Ort; USD 100.000 - 170.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

Caliscc in Gardena, CA is seeking a Senior Cosmetic Chemist – R&D Lead to own end-to-end formulation from concept to launch. This on-site, leadership role drives lab development, stability programs, and regulatory compliance for a growing skin and body care line.

You will build the R&D function, manage scale-up and tech transfer, work with suppliers, optimize costs, and ensure MoCRA/Prop 65 compliance while delivering differentiated, market-ready products.

Qualifikationen

• 3+ years hands-on cosmetic or personal care formulation experience.
• Multiple commercially launched products developed from scratch.
• Deep expertise in emulsion science, preservative systems, rheology, and stability troubleshooting.
• Proven experience scaling formulas from bench to production.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. cosmetic regulations, including MoCRA.
• Degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• Ability to work independently in a small, fast-moving company.

Aufgaben

• Own full formula development from brief to launch for creams, lotions, serums, balms, cleansers and body care.
• Build and lead the R&D lab from scratch, including equipment selection, SOPs, and documentation.
• Oversee stability programs, packaging compatibility, and third-party testing.
• Lead tech transfer and scale-up to production or contract manufacturers.
• Manage formula costing and work to cost targets from the start.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and MoCRA listing, Prop 65, and labeling accuracy.

Kenntnisse

Cosmetic formulation

Emulsion science

Preservative systems

Rheology

Stability testing

Scale-up to production

Regulatory compliance MoCRA/Prop 65

Laboratory leadership

Ausbildung

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field

Jobbeschreibung

Senior Cosmetic Chemist – R&D Lead
Gardena, CA | Part-Time/Full-Time, On-Site

ABOUT THE ROLE

We're launching a skin and body care line and are looking for an experienced formulator to own R&D from concept through production. You'll turn product briefs into finished, stable, compliant, scalable formulas, and build the lab and processes behind them. This is a hands-on leadership role: you will be the technical authority on every formula we make.

WHAT YOU'LL OWN

• Full formula development from brief to launch, often starting from a blank page: creams, lotions, serums, balms, cleansers, and body care
• Supplier relationships: vetting ingredient vendors, requesting and evaluating samples, and qualifying alternate materials to protect cost and supply
• Building the R&D lab from scratch: equipment selection, SOPs, formula documentation system, and sample retention
• Stability and testing programs: accelerated and real-time stability, packaging compatibility, and third-party preservative efficacy (PET), micro, safety (HRIPT), and claims testing
• Technology transfer and scale-up to production or a contract manufacturer, including troubleshooting first batches
• Formula costing, working to cost targets from the start
• Regulatory compliance: MoCRA registration, listing, and safety substantiation; California Prop 65; California Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act; INCI labeling; and claims support
• Product roadmap input: advising leadership on what's feasible, on-trend, and differentiated

MUST HAVE

• 3+ years of hands-on cosmetic or personal care formulation experience
• Multiple commercially launched products developed from scratch
• Deep expertise in emulsion science, preservative systems, rheology, and stability troubleshooting
• Proven experience scaling formulas from bench to production
• Strong working knowledge of U.S. cosmetic regulations, including MoCRA
• Degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field
• Ability to work independently in a small, fast-moving company

STRONG PLUS

• Clean, natural, or organic formulation experience (COSMOS or Ecocert)
• Experience setting up a lab or R&D function from zero
• Knowledge of export regulations (EU, Middle East, Canada)
• Established network of ingredient suppliers
• Active Society of Cosmetic Chemists (SCC) member