R&D Director / Cosmetics Formulator

R&D Director (Hands-On Cosmetic Formulator)

Location: St. Petersburg, FL
Employment Type: Full-Time
Reports to: President, Medpak Solutions

About Medpak Solutions

Medpak Solutions is a rapidly growing CDMO (Contract Development & Manufacturing Organization) specializing in skincare, body care, hair care, OTC topicals, and tanning formulations. We partner with emerging and established brands to bring products from concept to shelf quickly, efficiently, and with exceptional quality.

We are seeking a hands-on R&D Director who will be the maximum authority over formulations, overseeing all product development from initial client brief through final approved formula and documentation.

This is a high-impact role for someone who thrives in a fast-paced CDMO environment and enjoys both formulating personally and leading a small lab team.

Position Summary

The R&D Director is responsible for developing new formulas, managing reformulations and cost-down initiatives, overseeing stability/PET programs, ensuring MoCRA-compliant documentation, and supervising one formulator.

This person is expected to be a high-level formulator, a strong technical decision-maker, and the owner of formulation standards within the company.

Client-facing involvement is moderate—you will participate in kickoff calls or technical discussions only when necessary. Most communication flows through Sales and Project Management.

Key Responsibilities

1. New Product Development

• Formulate skincare, body care, hair care, suncare-adjacent, and specialty products based on client briefs.
• Create lab batches, iterate based on feedback, and deliver final approved formulas.
• Ensure formulas are scalable, manufacturable, and cost-aligned.
• Maintain precise formulation records and batch sheets.

2. Reformulations & Cost Optimization

• Improve existing formulas for stability, performance, texture, and sensorial profile.
• Execute cost-down modifications while maintaining product integrity.
• Diagnose and correct stability or separation issues.

3. Stability, PET, and Compatibility Oversight

• Design and monitor stability studies.
• Recommend PET strategies and adjust preservative systems accordingly.
• Generate stability summaries and technical reports for internal and client use.

4. Ingredient Sourcing & Innovation Pipeline

• Research new raw materials, innovations, sensory enhancers, and active systems.
• Qualify new ingredients and maintain Medpak’s innovation library.
• Meet with vendors and review technical literature.

5. Regulatory Compliance (MoCRA)

• Generate accurate INCI lists, allergen declarations, and regulatory documentation.
• Support OTC formulations (salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, etc.) as needed.
• Ensure formulas meet MoCRA and industry standards.

6. Team Leadership

• Supervise and train one formulator (with future team growth potential).
• Review and approve formulas, lab batches, and technical documentation.
• Uphold GMP, safety, and laboratory SOP compliance.

7. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Sales, Project Managers, QA/QC, Supply Chain, and Production.
• Provide technical input during client project kickoffs and complex brief discussions.
• Troubleshoot manufacturing scale-ups and pilot batches when needed.

8. Specification & ERP Integration

• Approve COAs, specifications, BMR inputs, and BOM accuracy before Markov ERP entry.
• Ensure all technical data aligns with formulation and production standards.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Cosmetic Science, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of hands-on cosmetic formulation experience.
• Strong understanding of emulsions, surfactant systems, active ingredients, rheology modifiers, preservative systems, and textures.
• Prior experience in a CDMO environment strongly preferred.
• Ability to lead and mentor junior staff.
• Strong documentation and organizational skills.
• Working knowledge of MoCRA compliance and INCI creation.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with OTC topicals and monograph basics.
• Familiarity with ERP systems (Markov, PLM tools).
• Strong troubleshooting and critical-thinking skills.
• Sensory evaluation experience.
• Vendor communication and ingredient qualification.

Why Join Medpak

• Direct impact on product development for emerging and established cosmetic brands.
• High autonomy and ownership over the entire formulation pipeline.
• Opportunity to build and shape the future of Medpak’s R&D department.
• Fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment with strong leadership support.
• Immediate involvement in innovative, high-visibility projects.

Pay: From $68,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person