Sr Principal / Principal Scientist Personal Care Formulation & Implementation

Colgate-Palmolive; Piscataway Township (NJ); On-site; USD 124,000 - 174,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

401(k) retirement plan with company matching

Minimum of 15 vacation days

Job summary

Colgate-Palmolive in Piscataway, New Jersey, seeks a Principal Scientist to lead their Handsoap Personal Care R&D team. This role includes owning the product development lifecycle and integrating cutting-edge material science and innovations.

The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor’s Degree and at least 12 years of R&D experience along with a proven track record in team leadership. The position offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• At least 12 years of Research and Development experience within the CPG industry.
• Minimum of 2 years of proven experience in direct people management.
• Demonstrated technical experience in formulation and scale-up of personal care products.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the R&D team to foster a high-performance culture.
• Drive exploration and integration of new surfactant chemistry.
• Manage product design and full development lifecycle.

Skills

Research and Development experience

Team leadership

Formulation of personal care products

Cross-organizational communication

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related scientific discipline

Masters Degree or PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field

Job description

No Relocation Assistance Offered

Job Number #174499 - Piscataway, New Jersey, United States

Who We Are

Colgate-Palmolive Company is a global consumer products company operating in over 200 countries specializing in Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care, Skin Care, and Pet Nutrition. Our products are trusted in more households than any other brand in the world, making us a household name!

Join Colgate-Palmolive, a caring, innovative growth company reimagining a healthier future for people, their pets, and our planet. Guided by our core values—Caring, Inclusive, and Courageous—we foster a culture that inspires our people to achieve common goals. Together, let's build a brighter, healthier future for all.

We are seeking an enthusiastic Principal Scientist to lead a segment of our dynamic Handsoap Personal Care R&D team. You will own the end-to-end product development lifecycle from concept to commercialization within the personal care category for North America. Your primary mission will be exploring and integrating cutting-edge material science and formulation fundamentals to drive next-generation innovations. This is an exceptional opportunity to scale global brands, influence technical strategies, and foster a high-performance culture of creativity and collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate, and develop the R&D team to foster a high-performance culture of creativity, collaboration, and continuous technical growth
• Drive the exploration, integration, and scaling of new surfactant chemistry, rheology, and formulation innovations into body cleansing products
• Manage the entire product design and full development lifecycle, effectively leveraging both internal and external resources to ensure flawless execution
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional stakeholders—including Marketing, Supply Chain, Legal, and Regulatory—to validate new products and support business priorities
• Oversee critical technical documentation, including formula databases, claims support, standard operating procedures, and tech transfer checklists

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline
• At least 12 years of Research and Development experience within the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry
• Minimum of 2 years of proven experience in direct people management and team leadership
• Demonstrated technical experience in the formulation, evaluation, and scale-up of personal care or cleansing products

Preferred Requirements

• Masters Degree or PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field
• Advanced technical knowledge of ingredient chemistry, surfactant interactions, emulsions, and OTC drug requirements
• Proficiency in statistical Design of Experiments (DOE) and measurement science
• Strong functional competencies in cross-organizational communication, with a proven ability to succinctly present complex technical details to non-technical business partners
• Familiarity with intellectual property management and a track record of supporting manufacturing plants in solving complex technical production challenges

Compensation and Benefits

Salary Range: $124,000.00 - $174,000.00 USD

Pay is determined based on experience, qualifications, and location. Salaried employees may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, profit‑sharing, and long‑term incentives for Executive‑level roles.

Benefits: Salaried employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, paid parental leave, disability coverage, and participation in the 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions subject to eligibility requirements. Additional benefits include a minimum of 15 vacation/PTO days (hourly employees receive a minimum of 120 hours) and 13 paid holidays (vacation days are prorated based on the employee's hire date within the calendar year). Paid sick leave is adjusted based on role and location in accordance with local laws. Detailed information regarding paid sick leave entitlements will be provided to employees upon hiring and may be subject to adjustments based on changes in legislation or company policies.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Our journey begins with our people—developing strong talent with diverse backgrounds and perspectives to best serve our consumers around the world and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels a true sense of belonging. We are dedicated to ensuring that each individual can be their authentic self, is treated with respect, and is empowered by leadership to contribute meaningfully to our business.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Colgate is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, veteran status (United States positions), or any other characteristic protected by law.

Reasonable accommodation during the application process is available for persons with disabilities.