Senior Formulation Chemist- Cosmetics

Bayport Laboratories; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Paid time off

Vision insurance

Competitive salary

Job summary

Bayport Laboratories seeks a Senior Formulation Chemist to develop and optimize cosmetic products, focusing on color cosmetics, skin care, and hair care. You will formulate new products from concept, refine existing formulations, and mentor laboratory technicians to ensure high-quality results.

You will lead color matching, perform stability testing, and collaborate with marketing, regulatory, and QA/QC to support documentation and ingredient proposals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemistry, Biology, or Cosmetic Science.
• Minimum 5 years of hands-on experience formulating color cosmetics from concept to launch.
• Experience developing new formulas from scratch with texture and color payoff.
• Collaboration with cross-functional teams (marketing, packaging, QA/QC, regulatory).

Responsibilities

• Formulate and reformulate cosmetic products from concept to production-ready formulas.
• Optimize existing formulations for performance, stability, texture, and color payoff.
• Lead color matching, shade development, and innovative concepts using formulation tech.
• Mentor laboratory technicians and provide day-to-day technical guidance.
• Maintain accurate records of R&D projects and testing results.

Skills

Cosmetic formulation

Color cosmetics

Mentorship

Project management

Regulatory awareness

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Chemistry/ Biology/ Cosmetic Science

Job description

Position Purpose

The Senior Formulation Chemist at Bayport Laboratories develops and optimizes innovative cosmetic products, focusing on color cosmetics, skin care, and hair care. This role formulates new products from concept, refines existing formulations, performs testing and analysis, and provides technical guidance and mentorship to laboratory technicians. The Senior Chemist works closely with and reports to the R&D Lab Manager to ensure project milestones, quality standards, and compliance with cGMP and the company’s Quality System are met.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance
• Competitive salary

Essential Functions And Responsibilities

• Formulate and reformulate cosmetic products, including color cosmetics, skincare, and hair care, from concept to production-ready formulas.
• Optimize existing formulations for performance, stability, texture, and color payoff.
• Conduct stability, compatibility, and performance testing in accordance with established protocols.
• Lead color matching, shade development, and innovative product concepts using advanced formulation technologies.
• Operate, maintain, and perform calibration checks on laboratory instruments.
• Mentor and provide day-to-day technical guidance to laboratory technicians, ensuring proper procedures and high-quality results.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including marketing, regulatory, and QA/QC, to support product documentation, ingredient selection, and formula proposals.
• Maintain accurate records of active R&D projects, formulation trials, and laboratory results.
• Support customer programs by tracking progress, reviewing specifications, and ensuring project milestones are met.
• Assist the R&D Lab Manager in scaling laboratory formulations to pilot or production batches, troubleshooting issues, and validating processes.
• Uphold strict adherence to cGMP and ISO 22716 standards, maintaining accurate laboratory documentation and ensuring compliance.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized laboratory environment in line with company and regulatory guidelines.
• Contribute to a culture of innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence within the lab team.

Qualifications

Education / Certification

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemistry, Biology, or Cosmetic Science
• Additional certifications in cosmetic formulation or regulatory compliance are a plus

Required Knowledge

• Expertise in cosmetic formulation principles, particularly for color cosmetics (lipsticks, foundations, powders, eyeshadows)
• Familiarity with formulation of skincare and hair care products (creams, serums, shampoos, conditioners)
• Strong understanding of raw materials, pigments, emollients, surfactants, preservatives, and active ingredients
• Knowledge of regulatory standards and safety requirements, including cGMP, FDA regulations, ISO 22716 (2007), and global cosmetic guidelines
• Understanding of stability, compatibility, and performance testing for cosmetic products

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of hands‑on experience formulating color cosmetics from concept to launch
• Proven experience in developing new formulas from scratch, including selecting ingredients, defining texture, color payoff, and performance characteristics
• Experience in troubleshooting and optimizing existing formulations to improve stability, performance, or cost efficiency
• Track record of collaboration with cross‑functional teams (marketing, packaging, QA/QC, regulatory) to deliver innovative products

Skills & Abilities

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills to identify formulation issues and implement solutions efficiently
• Ability to lead and mentor formulation teams, guiding less experienced chemists through complex projects
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to handle multiple product development timelines simultaneously
• Strong communication skills, able to present technical information clearly to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders
• Creativity and innovation mindset to develop cutting‑edge products that meet market trends and consumer expectations

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.