R&D Lab Manager

R&D Lab Manager

Company: Wasatch Product Development
Location: Draper, Utah
Schedule: Full-time, on-site
Reports to: Director of R&D

Position overview

Wasatch Product Development is seeking an experienced, self-driven R&D Lab Manager to develop personal care formulations and lead the day-to-day activities of our R&D laboratory. This role combines hands-on formulation with laboratory coordination, technical leadership, and team mentoring.

The R&D Lab Manager will work closely with the Director of R&D to keep projects moving, establish daily priorities, support the formulation team, and maintain an organized, productive laboratory. We are looking for someone who brings sound judgment, accountability, professional communication, and a calm, practical approach to solving problems.

Key responsibilities

Formulation and technical development

• Develop and optimize personal care formulations with manufacturing scale-up in mind.
• Assist with production troubleshooting, including investigating formulation or processing issues and recommending practical solutions.
• Coordinate daily activities across the formulation, stability, and laboratory support functions.
• Train and mentor junior chemists in formulation techniques, experimental planning, troubleshooting, and laboratory practices.
• Coordinate equipment maintenance, laboratory housekeeping, and safe working practices.
• Communicate project status, technical findings, development needs, and potential delays to the Director of R&D and internal sales team.

Required qualifications

• A degree in chemistry, cosmetic science, chemical engineering, or a related field. A degree is preferred but not required.
• At least five years of hands-on experience formulating personal care products.
• Demonstrated ability to independently develop formulations, plan laboratory experiments, interpret results, and resolve technical problems.
• Experience managing formulation projects and balancing competing priorities.
• Ability to provide day-to-day direction, mentor less-experienced chemists, and lead through clear communication and consistent follow-through.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in laboratory work, project coordination, and documentation.
• Sound judgment, accountability, and the ability to make appropriate decisions independently while recognizing when to involve the Director of R&D.
• A self-driven approach, with the ability to anticipate needs and move work forward without continuous supervision.
• Availability to work full-time, on-site in Draper, Utah.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person