R&D Manager (Cosmetic)

About the role

Lead and manage the R&D team, including formulators and laboratory personnel, to achieve development targets and project timelines. Manage end-to-end formulation development for skincare, body care, hair care, decorative cosmetics, and/or other cosmetic categories. Translate product briefs from Own Brand and OEM/Maklon customers into technically feasible formulations.

Key responsibilities:

• Review, evaluate, and approve new formulations, reformulations, product improvements, and alternative raw materials

• Drive product innovation by exploring new ingredients, technologies, textures, formats, claims, and cosmetic trends

• Ensure formulations meet targeted performance, sensory profile, quality, stability, safety, regulatory requirements, and target COGS

• Oversee laboratory trials, prototype development, stability testing, compatibility testing, and other required product evaluations

• Lead the scale-up process from laboratory batch to pilot and commercial production, including troubleshooting during trial and first production

• Investigate and resolve formulation-related issues arising during scale-up, manufacturing, stability testing, or post-launch

• Work closely with QA, QC, Production, and Regulatory Affairs to ensure formulas and manufacturing processes comply with applicable BPOM requirements, CPKB/GMP standards, and internal quality standards

• Collaborate with Purchasing and suppliers to evaluate new raw materials, alternative materials, technical documentation, availability, and cost optimization

• Establish and continuously improve R&D SOPs, formulation standards, development workflow, documentation, and knowledge management

• Develop the capability of R&D team members through coaching, technical guidance, performance evaluation, and structured development plans

Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree or higher in Pharmacy, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Cosmetic Science, or other relevant scientific disciplines

• Minimum 5–8 years of experience in cosmetic R&D/formulation, with proven experience in a leadership or supervisory role

• Experience in a cosmetic manufacturing company, especially OEM/Maklon and/or high-SKU manufacturing environment, is highly preferred

• Strong knowledge of cosmetic formulation, raw materials, formulation troubleshooting, stability, compatibility, and scale-up

• Good understanding of BPOM regulations, CPKB/GMP, cosmetic quality systems, and product development requirements

• Proven ability to manage multiple product development projects simultaneously

• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability, especially in resolving formulation and production scale-up issues

• Strong leadership with the ability to develop and manage formulators and R&D laboratory teams

• Good cross-functional communication and coordination skills

• Commercial awareness, including the ability to balance product performance, innovation, manufacturability, timeline, and COGS