Manager - Formulation Development (Hair Care)

Job Title: Manager - Formulation Development (Hair Care)Experience Required: 7–8 YearsLocation: MumbaiDepartment: R&D / Product DevelopmentReports To: Head – R&D / InnovationRole Overview:We are seeking a Formulation Value Engineering Manager who will lead initiatives tooptimize existing formulations through cost-effective alternatives, raw material andpackaging material substitutions, and value engineering without compromising productquality, performance, or compliance. This role requires strong formulation expertise, deeptechnical understanding of ingredient functionalities, and hands-on experience in stability,compatibility, and performance evaluation.Key Responsibilities:● Value Engineering & Cost Optimization:○ Analyze existing formulations and packaging materials to identify high-costcontributors and opportunities for optimization.○ Evaluate and implement alternate raw materials and packaging material,technologies, or processes to reduce formulation / packaging cost whilemaintaining product integrity.● Technical Evaluation & Validation:○ Lead and execute comprehensive stability studies, compatibility tests, andperformance validation on revised formulations / packaging.○ Ensure all modifications meet internal quality standards and regulatoryrequirements.● Raw Material & PM Benchmarking & Supplier Management:○ Work with sourcing and procurement to identify, screen, and qualify alternatesuppliers, ingredients & packaging.○ Assess technical equivalency and impact of substitutions on product attributesand shelf-life.● Cross-functional Collaboration:○ Liaise with regulatory, quality assurance, packaging, and manufacturing teams toensure seamless implementation of formulation changes.○ Partner with marketing and commercial teams to align optimization efforts withbrand positioning and claims.● Documentation & Compliance:○ Maintain detailed records of trials, formulation adjustments, evaluation protocols,and outcomes.○ Ensure compliance with global regulatory frameworks and internal productstandards.● Continuous Improvement:○ Monitor market trends, ingredient innovations, and competitor activity to identifystrategic cost-saving opportunities.○ Contribute to formulation knowledge databases, libraries, and internal bestpractices.Required Skills & Qualifications:● Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Cosmetic Science, Pharmaceutical Sciences,Chemistry, or related field.● 7–8 years of experience in cosmetic, personal care, or pharmaceutical formulationdevelopment.● Proven expertise in cost engineering, technical reformulation, and raw materialevaluation.● Strong background in stability testing, compatibility studies, and analyticalinterpretation.● Familiarity with global cosmetic regulations (e.g., BIS, FDA, EU, ISO).● Excellent documentation, problem-solving, and communication skills.Preferred Attributes:● Strong technical acumen and a solution-oriented mindset.● Ability to manage multiple reformulation projects with minimal supervision.● Experience working with cross-functional and vendor teams.● Agile, self-motivated, and proactive in identifying and executing optimizationopportunities.● High sense of ownership and accountability over assigned projects.● Ability to work independently while effectively collaborating with cross-functional teams.● Comfortable managing multiple projects in a dynamic, evolving environment.● Collaborative approach● Fast and quick learners