Development Chemist

MULTIFORM HUMAN DEVELOPMENT (Pty) Ltd; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 400 000 - 600 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading development firm in Gauteng is seeking a skilled Development Chemist to contribute to product development in the cosmetic industry. Responsibilities include creating and optimising formulations, ensuring regulatory compliance, and collaborating with manufacturing teams. Ideal candidates should hold a degree in Chemistry, have 3–6 years of experience, and possess strong formulation skills and an understanding of compliance standards. This role promises a challenging and rewarding career in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• 3–6 years of experience in formulation development, preferably in cosmetics or personal care.
• Strong understanding of cosmetic regulations and compliance standards.
• Experience with GMP and ISO 22716.

Responsibilities

• Create and optimise cosmetic/personal care formulations.
• Conduct stability, compatibility, and performance testing.
• Ensure formulations meet local and international regulatory standards.

Skills

Formulation skills

Regulatory compliance understanding

Ability to reverse engineer complex formulas

Education

Degree in Chemistry, Cosmetic Science, or related field

Job description

Overview:We are looking for a skilled and proactive Development Chemist to join our team. This role is ideal for someone with a strong foundation in formulation chemistry and experience in regulatory and manufacturing environments. The successful candidate will contribute to product development from concept to scale-up, ensuring compliance and quality throughout. This role reports directly to the Head of Research & Development and will work closely with cross-functional teams.

Key Responsibilities

Formulation Development

• Create and optimise cosmetic/personal care formulations.
• Conduct stability, compatibility, and performance testing.
• Develop innovative formulations in line with business quotas and strategic goals.
• Performance will be evaluated based on the delivery of innovative formulations and contribution to the product pipeline.

Allergen Calculation

• Perform accurate allergen assessments and maintain documentation.

Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure formulations meet local and international regulatory standards.
• Prepare and maintain documentation for product safety and compliance.
• Support regulatory submissions and audits.

GMP & ISO 22716 Compliance

• Apply Good Manufacturing Practices and ISO 22716 standards in development.
• Support quality assurance and participate in internal audits.

Batch Upscaling

• Translate lab-scale formulations to pilot and full-scale production.
• Collaborate with manufacturing teams to ensure consistency and efficiency.
• Document scale-up processes and troubleshoot production challenges.

Reporting & Documentation

• Draft technical reports including Root Cause Analyses (RCA) for issues identified in batch production.
• Prepare and share PIFs and other relevant documentation with clients and internal stakeholders.
• Maintain clear and accurate records of formulation development and testing outcomes.

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree in Chemistry, Cosmetic Science, or related field.
• 3–6 years of experience in formulation development, preferably in cosmetics or personal care.
• Strong understanding of cosmetic regulations and compliance standards.
• Experience with GMP and ISO 22716.
• Proficient formulation skills and able to reverse engineer complex formulas.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating within a team structure.