Senior Manager - D2C

JOB DESCRIPTIONPosition DetailsParticularsDetailsJob TitleSr. Manager / Manager – D2C FormulationsDepartmentR&I – Research & InnovationFunctionFormulations / Product DevelopmentNo. of Positions1Job LocationKolkataExperience8–12 yearsRelevant ExperienceSkin Care & Hair Care Formulation DevelopmentReporting ToSr. Manager – D2C Program Management – Formulations1. ROLE OVERVIEW

The incumbent will be part of the R&I function and will be responsible for managing the end-to-end product development cycle for D2C Skin Care and Hair Care formulations.

The role involves independently managing formulation development projects, identifying innovative technologies and ingredients, coordinating with cross-functional teams, and ensuring timely delivery of products aligned with consumer, business, quality, regulatory, and commercial requirements.

2. KEY RESPONSIBILITIESA. Formulation Development & Product Innovation

• Lead the end-to-end development of Skin Care and Hair Care formulations for D2C products.
• Independently manage formulation development, laboratory trials, evaluation, scale-up, and commercialization.
• Identify and evaluate latest technologies, formulation approaches, and novel ingredients relevant to the Personal Care category.
• Continuously develop and update the ingredient and formulation technology library through interactions with suppliers, manufacturers, and industry partners.
• Understand raw materials, their performance characteristics, and their correlation with end-use applications.
• Develop formulations across relevant Skin Care, Hair Care, and Cleansing formats.
• Support formulation-related troubleshooting and product improvement initiatives.

B. Project Management

• Independently manage and coordinate fast-tracked formulation development projects across Business, Innovation, Cost Saving, and D2C initiatives.
• Ensure timely execution and delivery of assigned projects in line with business timelines.
• Lead coordination across R&I, Marketing, Brand, Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, Regulatory, Quality, and other relevant functions.
• Track project progress, identify potential risks, and communicate issues and mitigation plans to stakeholders in a timely manner.
• Coordinate activities related to technology transfer, scale-up, manufacturing, and commercialization.

C. Consumer & Brand Collaboration

• Work closely with Brand and Marketing teams to understand consumer needs, benefit spaces, product propositions, and claims.
• Translate consumer and business requirements into robust formulation and technology solutions.
• Support product claims through appropriate technical, clinical, safety, and efficacy studies.
• Stay updated on national and international Personal Care trends, technologies, and consumer expectations.

D. Quality, Testing & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure formulations meet defined quality, safety, performance, and stability requirements before commercialization.
• Ensure products undergo appropriate environmental, accelerated stability, performance, and panel evaluations.
• Support compliance with applicable Indian and global Cosmetic and Ayurvedic regulations, wherever relevant.
• Anticipate potential regulatory challenges and provide appropriate technical solutions during product development and throughout the product lifecycle.
• Ensure appropriate specifications are established for Raw Materials (RM) and Finished Goods (FG).

E. Cost Optimization & Procurement Support

• Support formulation-related cost-saving and cost-optimization initiatives.
• Identify alternate raw materials and suppliers offering the required quality at competitive costs.
• Work with Procurement/Purchase and other stakeholders to evaluate and qualify alternate raw materials.
• Ensure formulations are commercially viable through appropriate cost and financial evaluations.
• Support DTV/Cost Saving projects and obtain necessary stakeholder approvals.

3. KEY STAKEHOLDER INTERFACES

The role will require regular interaction with:

• R&I / R&D
• Marketing & Brand Teams
• Operations / Manufacturing
• Supply Chain
• Procurement / Purchase
• Quality
• Regulatory Affairs
• External Suppliers
• Third-Party Manufacturers
• Clinical / Safety Teams
• Other Cross-Functional Stakeholders

4. REQUIRED SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

• Strong expertise in Skin Care and Hair Care formulation development.
• Strong understanding of raw materials, formulation technologies, and their applications.
• Experience in end-to-end Product Development and Project Management.
• Ability to independently manage multiple projects and meet aggressive timelines.
• Knowledge of formulation testing, stability studies, product evaluation, and commercialization.
• Understanding of Indian and global regulatory requirements for Personal Care products.
• Strong cross-functional stakeholder management skills.
• Effective communication and presentation skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Commercial understanding of formulation cost, raw materials, and supplier management.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and innovation-driven environment.

5. EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION

• 8–12 years of relevant experience in R&D / Product Development / Formulation Development.
• Strong hands-on experience in Skin Care and Hair Care formulations is mandatory.
• Experience in the Personal Care / FMCG / Cosmetics / Beauty & Wellness industry would be preferred.
• Experience in independently managing end-to-end formulation projects is highly desirable.
• Candidates should possess strong managerial, communication, coordination, and stakeholder management skills.

6. PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Proactive and result-oriented approach.
• Strong ownership and accountability.
• Collaborative and cross-functional mindset.
• Ability to work under tight timelines.
• Innovation-oriented and consumer-focused.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Professional, approachable, and positive personality.

Preferred Candidate Profile

One candidate | 8–12 years | Skin Care & Hair Care Formulation | End-to-End Product Development | D2C / Personal Care | Kolkata