Senior Haircare Formulator

Placements24; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical and dental insurance

Performance-based bonus

Generous annual leave

Professional development

Hybrid work model

Employee discounts

Global exposure

Innovative environment

Job summary

Placements24 in Cape Town, Western Cape, ZA is seeking a Senior Haircare Formulator to join the innovative product development team. The role focuses on creating cutting-edge hair treatment, styling, and cleansing formulas, collaborating with marketing, regulatory, and manufacturing teams.

The candidate should have a deep understanding of hair science, raw materials, and the product development lifecycle, and thrive in a hybrid work setting balancing lab work with remote tasks.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Chemistry, Cosmetic Science, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of hands-on experience in haircare formulation development.
• In-depth knowledge of surfactant systems, polymers, silicones, active ingredients, and preservatives relevant to haircare.
• Proven ability to develop innovative and effective haircare formulas across various product categories.
• Experience with scale-up processes and working with contract manufacturers.
• Strong understanding of hair structure, hair biology, and mechanisms of hair damage and repair.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong project management and organizational abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the formulation development of new and improved haircare products, including shampoos, conditioners, treatments, and styling aids.
• Conduct research on new ingredients, technologies, and market trends to identify innovative formulation opportunities.
• Develop stable, efficacious, and aesthetically pleasing formulas that meet product briefs and performance targets.
• Oversee laboratory bench work, pilot batches, and scale-up processes with manufacturing partners.
• Conduct and interpret stability, compatibility, and performance testing to ensure product quality and safety.
• Collaborate with marketing and claims teams to ensure accurate and substantiated product claims.
• Liaise with regulatory affairs to ensure compliance with global cosmetic regulations.
• Troubleshoot formulation challenges and provide technical support throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Maintain accurate laboratory notebooks and documentation for all R&D activities.
• Stay current with advancements in haircare science, raw materials, and formulation techniques.

Skills

Haircare formulation

Hair science

Surfactants & polymers

Silicones & actives

Preservatives

Scale-up & manufacturing

Project management

Education

Master's or PhD in Chemistry, Cosmetic Science, Chemical Engineering, or related field

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a renowned leader in the beauty & wellness sector, is actively seeking a highly skilled Senior Haircare Formulator to join their innovative product development team in Cape Town, Western Cape, ZA. This hybrid role requires an expert in haircare chemistry and formulation science, responsible for creating cutting-edge hair treatment, styling, and cleansing products. You will translate market trends and consumer needs into effective, high-quality formulas, working closely with marketing, regulatory, and manufacturing teams. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of hair science, raw materials, and the product development process. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to the advancement of haircare innovation within a dynamic and forward-thinking company.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the formulation development of new and improved haircare products, including shampoos, conditioners, treatments, and styling aids.
• Conduct research on new ingredients, technologies, and market trends to identify innovative formulation opportunities.
• Develop stable, efficacious, and aesthetically pleasing formulas that meet product briefs and performance targets.
• Oversee laboratory bench work, pilot batches, and scale-up processes with manufacturing partners.
• Conduct and interpret stability, compatibility, and performance testing to ensure product quality and safety.
• Collaborate closely with the marketing and claims teams to ensure accurate and substantiated product claims.
• Liaise with the regulatory affairs team to ensure compliance with global cosmetic regulations.
• Troubleshoot formulation challenges and provide technical support throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Maintain accurate laboratory notebooks and documentation for all R&D activities.
• Stay current with advancements in haircare science, raw materials, and formulation techniques.

Requirements

• Master's or PhD in Chemistry, Cosmetic Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of hands-on experience in haircare formulation development.
• In-depth knowledge of surfactant systems, polymers, silicones, active ingredients, and preservatives relevant to haircare.
• Proven ability to develop innovative and effective haircare formulas across various product categories.
• Experience with scale-up processes and working with contract manufacturers.
• Strong understanding of hair structure, hair biology, and the mechanisms of hair damage and repair.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong project management and organizational abilities.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills for cross-functional collaboration.
• Familiarity with global cosmetic regulations (e.g., FDA, EU Cosmetics Regulation).
• Experience in a hybrid work setting, balancing remote tasks with in-office laboratory work.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary of R, commensurate with experience and expertise.
• Comprehensive medical and dental insurance coverage.
• Performance-based bonus incentives.
• Generous annual leave allowance.
• Opportunities for continuous professional development, including attendance at industry conferences and training.
• Hybrid work model offering flexibility and structured lab time.
• Employee discounts on company products.
• A collaborative and innovative work environment.
• Exposure to global haircare markets and trends.
• Opportunity to shape the future of haircare innovation for a leading brand.