RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (R&D) MANAGER

The R&D Manager will lead the development, formulation, testing and commercialisation of cosmetic, skincare, haircare and personal-care products. This is a highly technical, hands-on position requiring strong formulation expertise, regulatory knowledge and experience transferring laboratory formulations into full-scale manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end development of skincare, haircare, body-care and other cosmetic formulations, from concept and laboratory trials to commercial production.
• Independently formulate complex products such as emulsions, serums, sunscreens, cleansers, masks, shampoos and treatment products.
• Develop innovative formulations using active ingredients, botanical extracts, peptides, acids, surfactants, emulsifiers and advanced delivery systems.
• Conduct raw-material evaluation, formulation optimisation, compatibility testing, stability testing and packaging interaction studies.
• Troubleshoot difficult formulation issues involving separation, discolouration, viscosity changes, fragrance instability, microbial contamination and scale-up failure.
• Establish product specifications, testing protocols, formulation records, manufacturing instructions and technical dossiers.
• Lead pilot batches and production scale-up while ensuring consistency between laboratory and commercial batches.
• Work closely with Production, Quality Assurance, Procurement, Marketing and external laboratories to ensure successful product launches.
• Ensure formulations comply with Singapore HSA requirements, ASEAN Cosmetic Directive and relevant international cosmetic regulations.
• Review ingredient restrictions, product claims, safety assessments, certificates of analysis, SDS documents and regulatory submissions.
• Design and oversee stability, compatibility, microbiological, preservative-challenge and product-performance testing.
• Evaluate and qualify new ingredients, suppliers, contract manufacturers, testing laboratories and packaging solutions.
• Improve existing formulations to enhance efficacy, sensory performance, stability, manufacturing efficiency and cost competitiveness.
• Investigate product complaints, batch failures and quality deviations, and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Manage R&D timelines, budgets, laboratory resources and confidential formulation information.
• Supervise, train and evaluate chemists, formulators and laboratory technicians.
• Monitor emerging cosmetic technologies, consumer trends, regulatory developments and competitor products.

Requirements

• Diploma in Cosmetic Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Science or a closely related discipline.
• At least 8 years of relevant cosmetics or personal-care formulation experience, including at least 3 years in a managerial or technical leadership role.
• Proven experience independently developing commercially successful cosmetic products.
• Strong technical expertise in emulsion chemistry, surfactant systems, rheology modification, preservation systems and ingredient compatibility.
• Demonstrated experience in laboratory formulation, pilot-scale production and full commercial scale-up.
• Sound knowledge of GMP, ISO 22716, ASEAN Cosmetic Directive and cosmetic product safety requirements.
• Able to interpret technical documents, scientific literature, raw-material specifications and stability-test results.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting ability, particularly in resolving complex formulation and manufacturing problems.
• Experience managing multiple product-development projects under strict launch deadlines.
• Strong written and spoken English, with the ability to prepare professional technical reports and regulatory documentation.
• Comfortable working in both the laboratory and production environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing products for humid tropical climates and Asian skin or hair types.
• Familiarity with natural, clean-label, halal, vegan or sustainable cosmetic formulations.
• Experience with SPF, clinical efficacy, preservative-challenge and dermatological testing.
• Knowledge of international requirements for China, the EU, the US or other export markets.
• Experience establishing or expanding an in-house cosmetics R&D laboratory.