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Form of workJob Description
Summary:
The Research and Innovation Chemist is responsible for formulating new and innovative beauty & Personal Care products through researching and testing of new raw material technologies, product forms and trends so the company can meet financial and operational goals.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Develops new innovative products per customer briefs or as part of pro-active Innovation Pipeline initiatives
- Completes laboratory test batching and proper documentation (e.g. SOPs and work instructions) of all lab work and related activities (e.g. project progress, stability and scale-up of products).
- Formulate product prototypes and evaluate them for chemical and physical properties, product performance, and stability.
- Manages and completes daily tasks based on assigned priorities including preparation of theoretical formulas, ordering and maintaining stock of critical raw materials, completing lab experiments, initiating and monitor stability testing, data and trends, and collaborating with suppliers and customers.
- Researches product formulations and properties of raw materials and relevant cosmetic science topics
- Participates in brainstorming sessions to generate newness for the Innovation Pipeline.
- Attends technical meetings, project update meetings and conference calls with customers, suppliers or within KDC and participates in off-site trips for market research, continuing education courses and industry conferences to stay up to date on the latest technologies and trends.
- Collaborates with Engineering, Compounding and Quality teams to support scale-ups from prototype to commercial manufacture per Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
- Participates in the general upkeep of the laboratory, including maintaining adequate supplies, routine disposal of samples and disposal of hazardous materials, performing daily equipment maintenance, and general cleaning.
- Completes documents related to testing, lab activities and associated observations, documents for new formulas to support scale-up or customer needs (e.g. specifications, quantitative formulas, ingredient listings) and other paperwork according to established company policy.
- Maintains confidentiality of new products, formulas, customer information and other sensitive and confidential information.
- Exhibits regular and predictable attendance and works overtime as needed due to workplace demands. Performs other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications:
- High School Diploma, GED or Equivalent Degree is required; Bachelor’s Degree in Science, Chemistry or related field is strongly preferred; in lieu of bachelor’s degree, relevant experience in a research lab is required.
- Minimum of 1 year experience in beauty/Personal Care Formulation or product development is strongly preferred; relevant experience in consumer good product development and research and development will be considered.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Knowledge of: FDA Good Manufacturing Practices, OSHA Safety Requirements and laboratory related regulations;
- Microsoft Office Suite, including Word and Excel; basic cosmetic lab equipment (e.g. viscometer, pH meter, densitometer, overhead mixer, hotplate, water baths, homogenizer).
- Skill in: being organized; analyzing and interpreting data.
- Ability to: work independently with little direct supervision; be flexible, multi-task and change priorities in a fast-paced environment;
- Manage time; read, comprehend and follow written and verbal instructions including Standard Operating Procedures and Work Instructions; wear required PPE as needed (list any specific PPE for the role);
- Work individually and as part of a team; develop and maintain good working relationships;
- Perform mathematical calculations in different units of measurement; use concepts such as fractions, percentages and ratios.
- Other functions, skills and abilities may apply.
Working Conditions and Physical Demands:
- Must be able to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds manually.
- A climate-controlled office environment; the noise level is usually moderately quiet.
- Must be able to sit for long periods of time in front of a computer, stand for moderate periods of time while working on a formulation, walk, use hands to handle and feel, reach with hands or arms, stoop, crouch, talk, hear, push and pull.
This above Job Description is not intended to be an all-encompassing list of responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this position. It is intended to be a guideline reflecting the essential job functions.
